The attitude of the enemy is threatening, and it does not seem possible to avoid a battle more than a few hours.  Great numbers of people, flying before Price, have come in to-day.  A reconnaissance in the direction of Springfield has been made, and the following report rendered by General Asboth.

    “HEAD-QUARTERS FOURTH DIVISION WESTERN DEPARTMENT.

    “Springfield, November 3d, 1861.

    “To MAJOR-GENERAL J.C.  FREMONT, Commanding Western
    Department.

“GENERAL:—­The captain commanding the company of Major Wright’s battalion, which was sent out on a scouting party to Wilson’s Creek, has just sent in his report by a runner.  He says, last night the enemy’s advanced guard, some two thousand strong, camped at Wilson’s Creek.  Price’s forces are at Terrill’s Creek on the Marionsville road, nine miles behind Wilson’s Creek, and McCulloch’s forces are at Dug Springs.

    “Both these forces were expected to concentrate at Wilson’s
    Creek to-night, and offer battle there.

    “The scout depicts every road and path covered with moving
    troops, estimating them at forty thousand men.

    “Very respectfully,

    “Your obedient serv’t,

    “ASBOTH,

    “Act.  Maj.-Gen’l Com’d’g 4th Div.”

According to this report, the whole of Price’s army is within twenty miles of us, and probably nearer.  Hunter has not been heard from, and it is impossible to discover his whereabouts.  This afternoon General McKinstry designed to make a reconnaissance in force with his whole division towards Wilson’s Creek; but yielding to the solicitations of the chief officers, and in view of the imminence of battle, to-day General Fremont resumed the command, and ordered McKinstry not to make his reconnoissance,—­not wishing to bring on a general engagement during the absence of Hunter.

All day long officers have visited General Fremont and urged him to give battle, representing, that, if this opportunity were permitted to pass, Price, after ascertaining our force, would retire, and it would be impossible to catch him again.  This evening one hundred and ten officers called upon him in a body.  They ranged themselves in semicircular array in front of the house, and one of their number presented an address to the General full of sympathy and respect, and earnestly requesting him to lead them against the enemy.  At the close of the interview, the General said, that, under all the circumstances, he felt it to be his duty not to decline the battle which our foe offers us,—­and that, if General Hunter did not arrive before midnight, he would lead the army forward to-morrow morning at daybreak; and that they might so inform their several commands.  This announcement was received with loud cheers.  The staff-officers were at once despatched with directions to the division and brigade commanders to repair forthwith to head-quarters and receive their orders.  The Generals assembled at eight o’clock, and the following order of battle was then published.