Now, I question whether any gunboat could get down the Atchafalaya, owing to want of water, and there ought at least two or three be sent down to hold their own against the enemy.

We have scarcely coal enough to enable the gunboats to do their necessary police work up and down the river. This Bayou Sorrel, which I cannot find on the map, leads, I believe, out into the Mississippi near Plaquemine.

I will notify the admiral of your request, and see if he can't get the information you desire by way desire by way of Plaquemine.

I am sorry I did not know before of these vessels being in this dangerous situation, as the Estrella, when she last came up, about ten days ago, might have given them warning.

Very truly, yours,

J. S. PALMER,

Commodore.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE GULF, NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Before Port Hudson, June 4, 1863.

Admiral D. G. FARRAGUT,

U. S. S. Richmond:

SIR: I beg you to bring your mortars to bear immediately while daylight lasts. Your mortars to bear upon a circle of 200 yards diameter, the center about 800 yards almost due south of the church. Let the mortar shells fall in a circle of 200 yards diameter in that vicinity. One shells near this point will destroy their magazine. It is just in rear of first clump of trees looking up toward the town from your position.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

N. P. BANKS,

Major-General, Commanding.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE GULF, 19TH A. C., Numbers 131.
Before Port Hudson, June 4, 1863.

* * * * *

By command of Major-General Banks:

RICH'D B. IRWIN,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE GULF, NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS,

Before Port Hudson, June 6, 1863.

Rear-Admiral D. G. FARAGUT,

U. S. S. Mongahela, Commanding, &c.:

SIR: The shelling of the mortar-boats on Thursday night is reported to have seriously inconvenienced the enemy. Beef-cattle killed, several