HDQRS. ARMY AND DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
April 8, 1865.

Major-General STEELE:

I rejoice to inform you that we have a lodgment in Spanish Fort. After a terrific bombardment of an hour's duration, part of Carr's division charged the enemy's left at 6 this evening, captured the greater portion of two regiments, and are now entrenched within Spanish Fort.

C. T. CHRISTENSEN,

Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SIGNAL OFFICER,
April 8, 1865.

Lieutenant WARREN,

Chief Signal Officer, General Steele's Headquarters:

We have effected a lodgment in Spanish Fort and taken 350 prisoners. Keep sharp lookout to-night and copy any rebel signals at Batteries Huger and Tracy, and a point half a mile northwest of Tracy, and at Mobile and Blakely. Will send you copy of the rebel code immediately if you have it not now.

S. M. EATON,

Captain and Chief Signal Officer.

APRIL 8, 1865.

Major-General STEELE:

Please order Captain Lyons, First Florida Cavalry, to send to General Canby's headquarters six men from his regiment who are best acquainted with the country between the Alabama River and Choctawhatchee, and as far north as Montgomery.

I am, general,

A. B. SPURLING,

Lieutenant-Colonel Second Maine Cavalry.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCE OPERATING AGAINST BLAKELY, ALA., Numbers 14.
April 8, 1865.

I. Pursuant to instructions received from the major-general commanding Army and Division of West Mississippi, the two brigades commanded by Brigadier General C. C. Andrews, including the artillery attached to them, will be held in readiness for detached service. Five days' cooked rations will be carried in haversacks, and fifteen days' cooked rations will be carried in haversacks, and fifteen days' raw in wagons. The men will be equipped in the lightest marching order.

II. Brigadier-General Veatch and Garrard will be prepared to close up the interval in our line of investment which may be occasioned by the withdrawal of the two brigades under the command of Brigadier General C. C. Andrews.

By order of Major General F. Steele:

JOS. LYMAN,
First Lieutenant and Aide-de-Camp.