March 21, 1864, Fort Smith, Ark.,
Major General Jas. G. Blunt to Major General S. R. Curtis

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF THE FRONTIER,
Fort Smith Ark., March 21, 1864
.

 Maj. Gen. S. R. CURTIS,
Commanding Department of Kansas:

GENERAL: I have reliable information that Quantrill is at Sherman, Grayson County, Tex. Todd and St. Gordon are with him; also about 100 of his original bandits. He (Quantrill) has been several times ordered by Henry E. McCulloch (commanding Confederate troops in Northwestern Texas) to report with his men to Shelby, which he refuses to do, and declares that he will operate independently. He contemplates a movement north into Kansas and Missouri as soon as there is sufficient grass to subsist his animals. He will probably augment his force by recruiting in Texas. It is not improbable that he will cross the Arkansas River west of Fort Gibson and enter Southwestern Kansas. Unless I have mounted force at my command it will be impossible for me to intercept him, yet I will endeavor to watch his movements and keep you advised by telegraph to enable you to meet him at any point he may attempt to enter Kansas.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

 JAS. G. BLUNT,

Major-General.

 

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