Dear Clifford,

I found this in the Official Records. Since the 4th Missouri Cavalry (CS)was commanded by John Q. Burbridge and this is about the time of the enlistment of your ancestor it would appear that the name of the camp may have been "Camp at Russell's Ferry". It would seem reasonable that the soldiers would call it "Camp Russell". Now if we can just figure out where Russell's Ferry is located?

Jim Martin

Page 929 Chapter XXXIV. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. - CONFEDERATE.

HEADQUARTERS OUTPOSTS,
Camp at Russell's Ferry, July 14, 1863

Major HENRY EWING,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

MAJOR: My last dispatches gave it as my opinion that at that time General Davidson did not intend an advance in this direction, and that the threatening front presented was only to prevent an expected raid on our part, and that, as soon as he discovered that it was not our intention to advance, he, of course, abandoned it, and commenced the concentration of his whole force at Bloomfield, Mo. His object in so doing and the benefits arising from such a move are, in my opinion, twofold. He could not only from this point protect Ironton (that he had an eye to this, notice his bridging the Mingo and other small streams), but would also occupy such a position as would enable him to cover Cape Girardeau and New Madrid thereby rendering the navigation of the Mississippi above that point perfectly secure.

Again, from this point he could the more readily assume the offensive than from any other place, and, by bridging the Saint Francis, could throw his whole force upon Jacksonport or unite with those at Helena. Davidson's force is now undoubtedly superior to that of General Marmaduke, and, in the event of an advance, that force will be swelled by the troops now at Cape Girardeau and New Madrid, this advance superseding the necessity of their remaining any longer to protect those points. The design of such a movement would be either to force General Marmaduke to abandon this portion of Arkansas or to unite with the troops at Helena, and march upon Little Rock, and drive us south of the Arkansas River. Helena is now secure, and no reason exists who those troops may not engage in such an expedition. When Davidson does advance, I think he will cross at Chalk Bluff, that being his most accessible point. The above reasons induce me to think that it is the intention of General Davidson to advance, and that before long. Colonel Kitchen writes me that there are only 1,200 now at Bloomfield, but that there are several regiments on the way to that point. I think he is mistaken for I have every reason to believe that Davidson, with his whole force, is encamped at that point. One hundred Federals are posted near Chalk Bluff, on the opposite side of the river. My scouts now have no trouble going in the direction of Ironton, and several of them are now posted in the vicinity of that place. They represent both Ironton and Pilot Knob with small garrisons. I am satisfied this is true as the enemy confine themselves to those places, and are not sending out any scouts. Recruiting officers give me a great deal of trouble with their recruiting authority; they pass my outposts, and some of them are engaged in smuggling goods from Ironton. About every other man you meet has recruiting authority from some one to raise a regiment or a company. Two-thirds of them never intend to raise a company, but only wish the authority to enable them to pass with impunity. Two of these men passed a negro through Captain Reves' pickets to Ironton. The negro is a free negro, living at Pocahontas. It seems that they are connected together for the purpose of bringing out goods. I am on the lookout and will try and arrest them.

Mrs. Elliott, of Pocahontas, applied to me for a pass to go to Ironton for her children. I refused to grant it, and she was passed through my lines by some of those recruiting officers. I have given strict orders to officers in command of outposts to allow no one to pass without passes from the general or myself. Officers who are legally authorized to raise regiments are, of course, very anxious to recruit, and generally give recruiting power to every one that applies. We have, therefore, the whole country overrun by them. I would like to have some instructions from the general concerning these men.

My officers are all willing to help defray the expenses of Colonel Conrow to Richmond and back. I will send you a roster of my officers to-morrow.

Private Grissom, unfortunately, escaped from his guard upon the way to this camp. From what the corporal says, he was very negligent of his duty. I will send his description to Colonels Wood and Coleman, and instruct them to use every effort to effect his capture.

I have heard of a Saint Louis paper of the 8th. I will try and get it and send it to you. I understand that it acknowledges a disastrous defeat in Virginia, and says Vicksburg has surrendered.

I am, major, &c.

JNO. Q. BURBRIDGE,

Colonel, Commanding.