SPECIAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF OREGON, Numbers 70.
Fort Vancouver, Wash. Ter., May 6, 1864.

The command of Captain Drake will proceed to the northeastern end of Harney Lake and effect a junction with the force of Captain Currey, First Oregon Cavalry, who will command the whole force. Captain Currey will decide when the two commands shall again separate.

By order of Brigadier-General Alvord:

J. W. HOPKINS,
First Lieutenant, First Oregon Cavalry, Actg. Asst. Adjt. General

WAR DEPARTMENT, May 9, 1864-1. 13 p. m.

Major-General McDOWELL,

New York:

(Care of Major-General Dix.)

Your letter has been received. I shall be glad to assign you the command indicated. You should be prepared to go soon, and have leave to visit Washington. Our advices this morning lead to the belief that General Grant is achieving a victory.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC,
San Francisco, May 9, 1864.

ADJUTANT-GENERAL U. S. ARMY,

Washington, D. C.:

SIR: Tranquillity prevails throughout the department, except in the District of Humboldt, where the Indian war is being prosecuted vigorously and successfully. Colonel H. M. Black, Sixth Infantry California Volunteers, has been zealous and indefatigable in pursuing the enemy, and his officers and men have endured the hardships and exposures of that inhospitable region amid the snows and rains with the greatest cheerfulness. The whole country is covered with our scouting parties, and already between thirty and forty of the hostile Indians have been killed and many wounded, with but trifling loss on our side. Some of the principal chiefs have surrendered, and Colonel Black expresses the opinion that the war will soon cease.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

G. WRIGHT,

Brigadier-General, U. S. Army, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC,
San Francisco, May 9, 1864.

ADJUTANT-GENERAL U. S. ARMY,

Washington, D. C.:

SIR: Under the authority granted me by the honorable Secretary of War, I had, before its revocation, issued a considerable amount of arms and equipments to the State of California for the regularly organized militia companies. These arms are now in the hands of loyal men, with officers specially appointed by the Governor. The inclosed letter addressed to me by His Excellency F. F. Low, Governor of the State, fully sets forth the propriety and necessity for the issues I have made,