HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
New Orleans, February 24, 1863.

Respectfully referred to the chief quartermaster to charter a schooner for the purpose. (To be returned.)

By command of Major-General Banks:

CHARLES A. HARTWELL,

Lieutenant and Aide-de-Camp.

MARCH 6, 1863.

Would recommend that the yacht be purchased now in hands of Colonel Butler.

S. B. HOLABIRD,

Colonel and Quartermaster.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
New Orleans, February 13, 1863.

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief, Washington:

SIR: I have the honor to report the arrival of the following transports of my expedition with troops since the 31st ultimo:

Montebello: With 250 convalescents and three companies Fiftieth Massachusetts.

Constellation: Forty-eighth Massachusetts.

Jennie Beals: Twenty-fifth New York Battery (horses lost) from the wreck of Sparkling Sea.

E. Wilder Farley: Twelfth Massachusetts Battery.

Illinois: Four companies and headquarters Twenty-first Maine; Forty-ninth Massachusetts.

George Peabody: Eight companies Fourth Massachusetts.

Crescent: Company F, Second Rhode Island Cavalry.

Jenny Lind: Three companies and headquarters Fiftieth Massachusetts.

Belle Wood: Company C, Second Rhode Island Cavalry.

Undaunted: Two companies (B and D) Second Rhode Island Cavalry.

On the Illinois came also Brigadier-General Andrews and Dwight.

Very respectfully, your most obedient servant,

N. P. BANKS,

Major-General, Commanding.

DEPT. OF THE GULF, HDQRS. SECOND BRIGADIER, FIRST DIV.,

Camp Stevens, La., February 13, 1863.

Major General C. C. AUGUR,

Commanding Division:

GENERAL: In accordance with your instructions of yesterday I proceeded to Brashear City last night. I found the Diana done, under your order, and at once ordered the Kinsman, with Lieutenant Loring on board, to overhaul the Diana, and both to make the reconnaissance of Butte-a-la-Rose together. I have full and, I think, perfectly accurate information of the landing at Indian Bend. A steamer drawing 6

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