Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi, and will enter upon the discharge of the duties of that position at once.

* * * *

By order of Colonel R. R. Stewart:

R. B. AVERY,

Lieutenant and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON,

Flag-ship Black Hawk, Mound City, February 16, 1865.

(Received 28th.0

Major General E. R. S. CANBY,

Commanding Military Division of West Mississippi, New Orleans:

GENERAL: I have sent to-day to New Orleans the light-draft ironclad Osage and Cincinnati, with four tin, to report to Commodore Palmer. These iron clads are the very best I had. All of the few others are in such very bad condition as to be wholly useless in your operations. I trust that these vessels and the four monitors previously sent from this squadron may co-operate efficiently with your forces and that the entire movement may be a grand success. I have to regret, however, that your operations were not, as I hoped they would be, within my limits.

Very respectfully and faithfully, yours,

S. P. LEE,

Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron.

HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
New Orleans, La., February 16, 1865.

Brigadier General J. BAILEY,

Baton Rouge, La.:

Please sent the following dispatch by the first boat going up river to Vicksburg:

Major General A. J. SMITH:

(Care of General Morgan L. Smith, Vicksburg, Miss.)

Only the cavalry from General Thomas' army is to stop at Vicksburg. The infantry under your command will come to this place with as little delay as possible.

E. R. S. CANBY,

Major-General, Commanding.

Please acknowledge receipt.

ALFRED FREDBERG,

Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

U. S. GUN-BOAT OCTORARA,

Off Mobile, February 16, 1865.

Captain T. p. CREENE,

Commanding First Division, West Gulf Blockading Squadron:

SIR: On sounding the bar at the mount of Blakely River last evening we found seven feet of water on the ridge of black sand, about 100 yards in width, that forms the shoalest part. The water gradually