GENERAL: I have just returned from Forsyth. I penetrated the country for several miles in all directions and could find no enemy in any numbers. We shelled the hills up White River and sent small parties in all directions. We only took 3 prisoners. I am of the opinion that the stories about there being a force of rebels in the vicinity of the river are all false, and gotten up by a few men in the vicinity to induce Federal troops to move in that section. These men, when they see 2 or 3 armed men, are frightened to death, and magnify them into hundreds. There are a few men in the vicinity of Carrollton without doubt, but mostly of the new conscripts, who are without arms, and would take to the hills as soon as a force of Union troops went in.
     The country presents a desolate appearance, and there are but few inhabitants living in the vicinity. There is no forage or provisions on which troops can subsist in the section, and I was obliged to move in order to get forage for the horses, as one company (Captain Flagg, Fourteenth Missouri State Militia) had not had anything for twenty-four hours. I did not meet the First Arkansas; they failed to make connection with us. The troops were all in good spirits, and only waited for the enemy to show himself to make themselves felt.
     My command consisted of Company A, Thirty-seventh Illinois Volunteers, Captain Hawes; Company K, Thirty-seventh Illinois Volunteers, Lieutenant Hicks; Captain Flagg's company, Fourteenth Cavalry, Missouri State Militia; Captain Burch's company,Fourteenth Cavalry, Missouri State Militia, and one gun of the Missouri Light Artillery, all of whom behaved themselves in a soldier-like manner.
          I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

 Go on to the Affair at Mount Vernon, Mo., September 19,1862

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