INSTRUCTIONS TO Major General N. P. BANKS.

It is the desire of the Department that a large military force form the colored population of Louisiana should be raised immediately, and General Ulmann has been instructed with authority for that purpose and directed to report to you. You will afford him every facility the circumstances will admit for that purpose, the forces raised by him to be under your command. Volunteers are to be allowed to come in from the plantations and from whatever source who may be fit for service, and any orders conflicting with this are to be revoked. The force thus raised will be furnished with quartermaster's, commissary, and ordnance supplies, as is the case with volunteers. A copy of the authority given by General Ullmann is hereby annexed.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

[inclosure.]

WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, D. C., March 25, 1863.

INSTRUCTIONS TO GENERAL ULLMANN.

First. You will with all dispatch complete your preparations, and so soon as transportation is provided to New Orleans, and report to General Banks.

Second. You will establish, subject to the approval of the commanding general, your headquarters to Baton Rouge, and proceed to fill up your command with colored troops as rapidly as possible, reporting to this Department by every steamer the progress that you are making. It is expected that within thirty days after your arrival at New Orleans you will have your brigade filled up.

Third. We prepared, you will report for duty to Major-Genera Banks, under whose command you will perform such duties as may be assigned to you.

EDQIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

WASHINGTON, March 25, 1863.