“HEAD-QUARTERS WESTERN DEPARTMENT.

“Springfield, November 3,1861.

“The different divisions of the army shall be put in the
following order of battle.

“Act’g Maj.-Gen. Asboth,    right wing.
"      "      McKinstry, centre.
"      "      Sigel,     left.
"      "      Pope,      reserve.

“General McKinstry’s column to leave camp at six o’clock, and
proceed by the Fayetteville road to the upper end of the upper
cornfield on the left, where General Lyon made his first attack.

“General Sigel to start at six o’clock by Joakum’s Mill, and follow his old trail, except that he is to turn to the right some two miles sooner, and proceed to the old stable on the lower end of the lower cornfield.

    “General Asboth to start at six and one-half o’clock, by the
    Mount Vernon road, then by a prairie road to the right of the
    ravine opposite the lower field.

    “General Pope to start at seven o’clock by the Fayetteville
    road, following General McKinstry’s column.

    “General Lane to join General Sigel’s division.  General Wyman to
    join General Asboth’s division.

    “One regiment and two pieces of artillery of General Pope’s
    division to remain as a reserve in Springfield.

    “The different divisions to come into their positions at the
    same time, about eleven o’clock, at which hour a simultaneous
    attack will be made.

    “The baggage-trains to be packed and held in readiness at
    Springfield.  Each regiment to carry three two-horse wagons to
    transport the wounded.

    “J.C.  FREMONT,

    “Maj.-Gen’l Com’d’g.”

The General and staff, with the Body-Guard, Benton Cadets, Sharp-shooters, and Delawares, will accompany McKinstry’s column.

The news has spread like wildfire.  As I galloped up the road this evening, returning from McKinstry’s quarters, every camp was astir.  The enthusiasm was unbounded.  On every side the eager soldiers are preparing for the conflict.  They are packing wagons, sharpening sabres, grooming horses, and cleaning muskets.  The spirit of our men promises a brilliant victory.

Midnight.  At eleven o’clock General Hunter entered the Council of Generals at head-quarters.  General Fremont explained to him the situation of affairs, the attitude of the enemy, and the dispositions which had been made for the following day, and then gracefully resigned the command into his hands.  And thus our hopes are finally defeated, and in the morning we turn our faces to the north.  General Hunter will not advance to-morrow, and the opportunity of catching Price will probably be lost, for it is not likely the Rebel General will remain at Wilson’s Creek after he has learned that the whole Federal army is concentrated.

The news of the change has not yet reached the camps.  As I sit here, wearied with the excitement and labors of the day, the midnight stillness is broken by the din of preparation, the shouting of teamsters, the clang of the cavalry anvils, and the distant cheers of the soldiers, still excited with the hope of to-morrow’s victory.