It is most important to have the gunboats watch the rebels on the river.

Porter writes me that they are playing the same game with him in trying to cut off supplies. They are 2,000 or 3,000 strong up there.

Very respectfully,

D. G. FARRAGUT,

Rear-Admiral.

NEW ORLEANS, July 6, 1863.

Commanding Officer [Donaldsonville, La.]:

Send at once by any steamer now at Donaldsonville notice to General Banks and Admiral Farragut that the enemy are advancing in force on you from both directions.

By command of Brigadier-General Emory:

FRANK W. LORING,

Aide-de-Camp.

HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES AT DONALDSONVILLE, LA., Fort Butler, July 6, 1863-3 p. m.

Lieutenant-Colonel IRWIN:

SIR: There is a large force of the enemy around in the vicinity of this post. It has been reported as high as 18,000. I think, from the information I have received, there may be 10,000 or 12,000. Sixteen pieces of artillery are reported to have arrived. They are evidently making preparations to attack me.

WM. E. HADLOCK,
Lieutenant Colonel Twenty-eighth Maine Volunteers, Commanding.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE GULF, NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, Before Port Hudson, July 6, 1863.

Brigadier General B. H. GRIERSON,

Commanding Cavalry:

SIR: Information has been received that the enemy's cavalry has concentrated at Jackson with a battery of artillery, and that they intend to make a dash upon our rear at several different points to-morrow or the next day, in the morning.

The commanding general wishes you to have your command well in hand, to be prepared to prevent this attempt, and to endeavor to ascertain something more definite of the enemy's movements.

Your most obedient servant,

RICH'D B. IRWIN,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

GENERAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEFENSES OF NEW ORLEANS, Numbers 21.
July 6, 1863.

So much of General Orders, Numbers 18, as prohibits peaceable citizens from being out after 9 o'clock p. m. is hereby rescinded, provided they are not in parties of more than three.

By command of Brigadier-General Emory:

[W. D. SMITH,]

Lieutenant-Colonel, and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.