The best information we have of the enemy's force indicates two regiments of cavalry, one of infantry, and one battery, under Colonel J. P. Major. Please acknowledge.

By command of Major-General Banks:

RICH'D B. IRWIN,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEFENSES OF NEW ORLEANS,
June 20, 1863-2 a. m.

Lieutenant-Colonel STICKNEY:

The enemy are crossing at the La Fourche Crossing in some force. Leave the gunboat to guard Brashear City. Concentrate all your force at La Fourche Crossing, and defend it to the last extremity.

By command of W. H. Emory, brigadier-general, commanding:

W. D. SMITH,

Lieutenant-Colonel, and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE GULF, NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Before Port Hudson, June 20, 1863.

Brigadier General W. H. EMORY,

New Orleans:

GENERAL: If the gunboat is at Brashear, the two companies that went there can escape on her. What became of the guns at Brashear? The commanding general directs me to inform you that it is impossible for him to spare any force from here at present. He relies upon your doing the best you can with the small force at your disposal.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

RICH'D B. IRWIN,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEFENSES OF NEW ORLEANS,
June 20, 1863.

Commanding Officer of military and naval forces at Donaldsonville:

The enemy, in considerable force, has crossed the Plaquemine at Indian Village, and passed down the La Fourche, to attack the Opelousas Railroad and Brashear City.

I do not think Donaldsonville in any immediate danger. What force can be spared should be sent down to Algiers, to be placed on the railroad.

Communicate this to Admiral Farragut.

By command of Brigadier-General Emory:

[F. W. LORING,]

Aide-de-Camp.

LA FOURCHE,

June 20, 1863.

Brigadier-General EMORY:

We have been attacked. We have repulsed them once. We do not know where they will appear again.

ALBERT STICKNEY.