HDQRS. ARMY AND DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
Near Spanish Fort, Ala., April 3, 1865.

Brigadier General T. J. LUCAS,

Commanding Cavalry Brigade:

GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs that so soon as General Garrard's division, of the Sixteenth Corps, has completed the line investing Blakely you will place your command in such position to the north and east of the besieged place as will cover the rear of our troops. All the main avenues by land and river to Blakely must be permanently and strongly guarded, and zealous and effective parties must scour the country along the front of the guards. These patrols will extend as far as Stockton, on the river; Bay Minette Station, on the railroad, and from there, by Stapleton's place, to Holyoke, where they will connect with patrols of Colonel Johnson's brigade, whose headquarters will be near Cyrus Sibley's Mills.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

P. J. OSTERHAUS,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

HDQRS. ARMY AND DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
Near Spanish Fort, Ala., April 3, 1865.

Colonel G. M. L. JOHNSON,

Commanding Cav. Brigadier, Knipe's Div., near Starke's Wharf, Ala.:

COLONEL: The major-general commanding directs that you march at once with your brigade to the vicinity of Cyrus Sibley's Mills, and occupy with the main body substantially the same ground which was until now been occupied by General Garrard's division. It will be your duty to cover effectually the rear of the troops now besieging Spanish Fort and Fort Alexis, and give timely notice of any danger approaching from the northeast, east, and south. You will order a strong detachment to Holyoke, with instructions to scour, by a system of zealous patrols, all the country in its front toward Martin Durant's place. Patrols of General Lucas' brigade are ordered to connect from the northward with yours at or near Holyoke. Another detachment placed near Martin Durant's, or Deer Park, will continue your line of patrols, protecting against any attack from beyond Fish River and extending to the village and Montrose Wharf, on Mobile Bay. Before leaving your present position you will supply your command with two days' rations of subsistence and forage. The Second Brigade of your division will on its arrival occupy your present position near Starke's Wharf.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

P. J. OSTERHAUS,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WEST FLORIDA,
Barrancas, April 3, 1865.

Lieutenant Colonel C. T. CHRISTENSEN,

Asst. Adjt. General, Army and Division of West Mississippi:

COLONEL: I have the honor to report, in regard to the establishment of a courier-line between here and headquarters of the commanding general in the field, that I consider Perdido Mills, the point on the Perdido,