HDQRS. EASTERN DIVISION, DISTRICT OF THE GULF,
Blakely, April 8, 1865.

General GIBSON,

Spanish Fort:

I send you all the boats I can get to be used in the event of your being compelled to evacuate.

ST. JNO. R. LIDDELL,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS,
Spanish Fort, April 8, 1865-9 p. m.

General MAURY:

I am beginning to retire by treadway. Hope to lose nothing but artillery. Will have a guard at the landing, so as to hold fast to the last moment.

R. L. GIBSON,

Brigadier-General.

CIRCULAR.] HEADQUARTERS,

Spanish Fort, April 8, 1865.

Brigade commanders will see that their advanced line and their skirmishers keep up a constant fire on the working parties of the enemy, and that their main line does no firing, but is adapted to repel an assault at any hour, night, and day. If is reported that there are no watches in some of the regiments at night. Plenty of wooden screens are not at the landing.

By command of Brigadier-General Gibson:

GEO. NORTON,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. FORCES AT SPANISH FORT, Numbers 11. April 8, 1865.

It has been reported to the brigadier-general commanding that the enemy is more active than usual along certain portions of his line Commanders will have a sharp lookout kept up along their respective fronts, and try to discover and report to these headquarters any movement of the enemy. Every precaution must be taken to prevent a surprise during the night.

By command of Brigadier-General Gibson:

GEO. NORTON,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. EASTERN DIVISION, DISTRICT OF THE GULF,

Blakely, April 8, 1865.

Colonel PATTON,

Spanish Fort:

If we have met with a disaster, use your discretion, and if you think best, leave for Battery Tracy at once and take command.

ST. JNO. R. LIDDELL,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.