not now in condition to resist an attack. It must be made so without delay. Staff officers must be sent out to obtain returns from division commanders and assist in supplying all deficiencies.

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General.

NEW MADRID, April 14, 1862.

J. C. KELTON:

General Pope received message about Van Dorn and Price. Do you want his army to join General Halleck's on the Tennessee? His men are all afloat. He can be at Pittsburg Landing in five days. Fort Pillow strongly fortified. Enemy will make a decided stand. May require two weeks to turn position and reduce the works. Answer immediately. I wait for reply.

THOMAS A. SCOTT,

Assistant Secretary of War.

SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. DIST. OF WEST TENNESSEE,

No. 54. Pittsburg, Tenn., April 14, 1862.

II. Brigadier General Thomas A. Davies, having reported for duty to Major-General Grant, is hereby assigned to the command of the Second Division of the army in the field.

By order of Major-General Grant:

[JNumbers A. RAWLINS,]

Assistant Adjutant-General.

CAIRO, ILL., April 14, 1862.

H. A. WISE, Navy Department:

Will inform you when to send the men. I have been directed by flag-officer to arm and equip and man the steam rams building at Cincinnati and Pittsburgh when they are ready. We have no official information thus far respecting them, and cannot act understandingly until that is furnished. Yesterday at 7 a. m. squadron under way and expected to arrive off Fort Pillow in four hours. Five rebel gunboats in sight. Unofficial information says squadron opened fire on them, when they retreated.

A. M. PENNOCK,

For Flag-Officer Foote.

NEW MADRID, April 15, 1862-10 p. m.,

(Via Cairo-11 p. m.)

Honorable E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

I left New Madrid at 12 o'clock Saturday night General Pope. Arrived within 4 miles of Fort Pillow Sunday, 2 p. m. At 8 o'clock Sunday morning six rebel gunboats appeared 40 miles above Pillow.

Our boats fired upon them and they retreated in great haste. The enemy