SIR: On Friday, 22d instant, I was ordered by Lieutenant-Colonel Mills, commanding this post, to proceed with my command to Mount Vernon and there wait the arrival of Captain Mudgett. I started at 11.30 o'clock on the morning of the 22d with 41 of my Mountain Rangers, the others being sick and on detached service. At 10 o'clock p.m. of the same day we reached Mount Vernon, having marched 33 miles. On arriving I received an order from Captain Mudgett to be at Gullet's farm, 8 miles below Mount Vernon, by daylight next morning. We started at 3 o'clock, and were there by the time required. After conferring with Captain Mudgett he determined for me to proceed north of Spring River and disperse the rebels congregated there.
     Having rested my command two hours we started, marched down Spring River on the north side to the old Booneville Ford, crossing there and traveling in a northwestern direction to a point where the road leading from Oregon, or Bower's Mills, to Greenfield enters the Pea Ridge Prairie. At that point I directed Sergeant Butcher with 8 men to proceed up the prairie on its south side, to arrest all persons running from the north, to search certain houses for arms, and to keep a good lookout for the rebels.
     With the balance of the command I proceeded to the north side of the prairie, then changing my course east towards Bell's, where we expected to find the enemy. I had traveled up the prairie but a short distance when Sergeant Breshers, stationed on a high point of the prairie, made the signal the enemy had been found. Sergeant Butcher had marched up the south side of the prairie one mile and a half, when a band of rebels formed near a point of timber to oppose his progress. He marched steadily forward, and on nearing them they retired behind the point of timber, where the sergeant and his party charged them, the result of which was a running fight for 3 miles. In the action my men killed 3 rebels, wounded 1, and killed 1 horse. We had 1 horse shot, and the sergeant rode his down in the chase. We captured 3 prisoners and 3 horses. The sergeant and his party were engaged with from 12 to 15 rebels, and had it not been that my full command made its appearance so promptly on the south side of the prairie he would have brought on an action with from 40 to 50, who were posted in the brush, but retired as the command marched across the prairie.
     It affords me great pleasure to commend Sergeant Butcher and his men in the highest terms for their gallant conduct on the field. Any officer would be proud to command such men. From the scene of action I sent Sergeant Breshers with 10 men to the north side of the prairie, and with the balance I marched up the south side, the two divisions meeting at John Colly's. Breshers rendered valuable services.  We gave the neighborhood a good scouring, driving the secessionists before us. We were in a section of country infested with a band of bad men---secessionists. We alarmed them greatly, and rendered good service to the Union cause. They had come to the conclusion our troops would not visit them, and were depredating on the property of loyal citizens. The 3 prisoners we took were engaged in the attempt to rob the house of John Gullet of a lot of boots and shoes on the evening of the 19th instant.
     On the evening of this hard day's work we reached the plantation of Price Anderson. Traveling without tents and camp equipage, we were preparing to take our rest on the ground without shelter, when Mr. Anderson invited the company to take shelter in his large and commodious residence. Having reason to believe an enemy in front of us, the command laid on its arms during the night. On the morning of the 24th I divided the command, sending half of it, under Sergeant Butcher, up Stall's Creek, and from thence to Mallard's still-house, in the Turnlack timber north of the prairie, with directions to destroy Pennington's still-house and the one at. Mallard's, and to come to my assistance if he heard firing. With half the command I crossed the prairie to Daniels' farm, where it was represented the rebels had a strong picket. Not finding them, I marched to Mallard's still-house from the northwest. The rebels had fled before us, and I returned to Mount Vernon, and on the 25th came to this city. There were two reasons for destroying those still-houses: First, they were places of rendezvous for the forming secession bands for plunder;  secondly, bad men would get drunk there, and go to Union men's houses and expose their naked persons to Union women. I hope you will, and I know every good woman in the State will, indorse the destruction--the burning of those still-houses. They were each worth almost $150.
     Since my company was mustered into the service I have been constantly in the field and am behind with my property reports, but will make them out at the earliest convenient moment.

     I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,