WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington, January 13, 1863.

Major-General DIX, Fort Monroe, Va.:

All transports and store-ships intended for General Banks will proceed to New Orleans and report to him.

H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, No. 13.
New Orleans, January 13, 1863.

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X. The following-named regiments are organized into brigades as follows, and will constitute a division, to be commanded by Brigadier General Thomas, W. Sherman.:

First Brigade, to be commanded by Brigadier General Neal Dow. - Sixth Michigan, Colonel Clark, temporarily with Weitzel; One hundred and twenty-eighth New York, Colonel Cowles, Chalmette; Twenty-sixth Connecticut, Colonel Kingsley, Carrollton; Fifteenth New Hampshire, Colonel Kingman, Carrollton.

Second Brigade to be commanded for the present by the senior colonel. - Twenty-sixth Massachusetts, Colonel Farr, custom-house; Forty-seventh Massachusetts, Colonel Marsh, barracks; Forty-second Massachusetts, Lieutenant-Colonel Stedman, and one regiment to be hereafter designated.

Third Brigade to be commanded by the senior colonel. - Fourteenth Maine, Colonel Nickerson, Bonnet Carre; One hundred and seventy-seventh New York, Colonel Ainsworth, Bonnet Carre; One hundred and sixty-fifth New York, Lieutenant Col. Abel Smith, Carrollton, and one regiment to be hereafter designated.

The Second Brigade will be stationed for the present in New Orleans. The Ninth Connecticut is temporarily assigned to it.

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By command of Major-General Banks:

[RICH'D B. IRWIN,]

Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
New Orleans, La., January 15, 1863

Major General H. W. HALLECK:

General-in-Chief, Washington, D. C.:

GENERAL: I have the honor to transmit herewith copy of telegram received yesterday in regard to the capture and sinking of the Hatters by the rebel ship 290, and telegram* from General Weitzel, received late last night, reporting his operations on the Teche.

Finding that the enemy was preparing to strike a blow at Weitzel's small force, with a view also of regaining the naval mastery of the waters of Berwick Bay, it was considered best to strengthen him immediately, so as to permit him to attack the enemy before their preparations should be completed. Accordingly the One hundred and sixtieth New York,

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*See reports, p. 234.

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