from Meridian was being unloaded, it is probably due to the explosion of a percussion-shell. A court of inquiry will investigate the circumstances . The losses are not yet reported.

E. R. S CANBY,

Major-General, Commanding.

HDQRS. ARMY AND DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
Mobile, Ala., May 26, 1865.

Rear-Admiral H. K. THATCHER,

Commanding West Gulf Squadron,

U. S. Flag-ship Stockdale, off Mobile, Ala.:

ADMIRAL: In the absence of Major-General Canby, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of yesterday's date relating to certain plans, documents, and papers connected with the Pensacola Navy-Yard, as well as the apparatus of the light-house, reported to be in Montgomery, Ala., and to say that Major General A. J. Smith, commanding U. S. forces in Northern Alabama, Montgomery, will be instructed to use every effort to recover this property, and if found to forward it to your care.

I have the honor to be, admiral very respectfully, your obedient servant,

ALFRED FREDBERG,

Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. ARMY AND DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI

Mobile, Ala., May 26, 1865.

Rear-Admiral H. K. THATCHER,
Commanding West Gulf Squadron, off Mobile, Ala.:

The following telegram has just been received:

NEW ORLEANS, May 26, 1865.

Rear-Admiral H. K. THATCHER,

Mobile, Ala.:

Major Fredberg, in charge of our headquarters at Mobile, will report to you when the troops intended for Apalachicola have all embarked. One steamer with troops for that command is already at Barrancas, and I desire that the other steamers in the convoy stop at that place, so that the whole fleet, together with General Asboth, who goes to locate the new post, can proceed all together to their destination.

E. R. S. CANBY,

Major-General.

To this I would most respectfully add that as soon as the quartermaster's department can furnish the necessary transportation for the troops I shall at once report the fact to you.

I have the honor to be admiral, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

ALFRED FREDBERG,

Major and Assistant Adjutant-General

MOBILE, May 26, 1865

(Received 5.05 p.m.)

Colonel C. T. CHRISTENSEN:

We have just passed a most terrible night, but the danger is, thank God, over. It was a terrible calamity-beyond description. Acres of ground were covered with flames. Most of the captured cotton is said