The construction of the gun-boat fleet, and accompanying mortar-rafts, was vigorously pushed, and preparations for military work in the ensuing spring went on in all directions.

Our armies were really idle, and we were doing very little on the Mississippi; but it was easy to see that we were making ready for the most vigorous activity in the future.
In the latter part of December many refugees from the Southwest began to arrive in St.Louis.In most cases they were of the poorer class of the inhabitants of Missouri and Northern Arkansas, and had been driven from their homes by their wealthier and disloyal neighbors.

Their stories varied little from each other.

Known or suspected to be loyal, they were summarily expelled, generally with the loss of every thing, save a few articles of necessity.

There were many women and children among them, whose protectors had been driven into the Rebel ranks, or murdered in cold blood.