HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
Brashear City, April 30, 1863-6 a. m.

Major-General GRANT:

DEAR SIR: I modify my dispatch sent by the admiral* so far as to recommend the union of our forces on the Bayou Sara. My fear was that our supplies could not be made secure, but upon further reflection I am satisfied that with the force you propose to send and my own we can march directly to the rear of Port Hudson and thus open communication by the way of Baton Rouge for all supplies. In this view the Bayou Sara route is the most feasible. We are anxious to hear from you. There is no news here.

Very truly, yours,

N. P. BANKS,

Major-General, Commanding.

ATCHAFALAYA RIVER, STEAMER SYKES,

April 30, 1863.

Major-General GRANT:

DEAR SIR: It is of the utmost possible importance that you should send a force ot the Red River immediately to co-operate with Army and Navy now here. We have the Atchafalaya and the month of the Red River. An addition to my force now will give us the whole country west of the Mississippi.

Please give me all information of your movements in this direction. Very truly, yours,

N. P. BANKS,

Major-General, Commanding.

Abstract from Return of the Department of the Gulf, Nineteenth Army Corps, Major General N. P. Banks commanding, for the mouth of April, 1863 (headquarters Opelousas, La.).

Present for duty.

Command. Offic Men. Aggreg

ers. ate

presen

t.

Opelousas, La., Major General N. P. Banks, 29 --- 30

department staff.

Baton Rouge, La., Major General C. C. 9 --- 9

Augur, First Division.

Infantry. 222 4.365 5.724

1st, 3rd, and 4th Louisiana Native 70 2.022 2.252

Guards.

Cavalry. 27 468 549

Artillery. 30 609 679

Total. 387 7.464 9.243

New Orleans, La. Brigadier General T. W. 7 --- 9

Sherman, Second Division.

Infantry. 283 5.974 8.478

Cavalry (last return). --- --- ---

Artillery. 6 201 256

Other troops in this command. 62 2.622 3.143

Total. 358 8.797 11.886

Opelousas, La., Brigadier General W. H. Emory, 10 --- 10

Third Division.

Infantry. 293 6.213 8.170

Artillery. 4 106 124

Total. 307 6.319 8.304

Command. Aggrega Aggrega

te te

present present

and and

absent. absent

at last

monthly

return.

Opelousas, La., Major General N. P. Banks, 30 30

department staff.

Baton Rouge, La., Major General C. C. Augur, 9 9

First Division.

Infantry. 6.769 6.769

1st, 3rd, and 4th Louisiana Native Guards. 2.338 2.338

Cavalry. 816 816

Artillery. 797 797

Total. 10.759 10.759

New Orleans, La. Brigadier General T. W. Sherman, 9 9

Second Division.

Infantry. 10.024 10.101

Cavalry (last return). --- 328

Artillery. 429 420

Other troops in this command. 3.419 3.419

Total. 13.881 14.227

Opelousas, La., Brigadier General W. H. Emory, --- 1.010

Third Division.

Infantry. 10.045 10.045

Artillery. 136 136

Total. 10.191 10.191

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*See Inclosure No. 5 to Banks' report of April 23, p. 304.

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