affair. Two prisoners, escaped from the rebels at Alexandria, report Taylor's force at 12,000 or 15,000; don't know where he is.

GEO. L. ANDREWS,

Brigadier-General of Volunteers, Commanding Post.

PORT HUDSON,

November 23, 1863-12 m.

Major G. NORMAN LIEBER,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, New Orleans:

Several officers of the Sixth Michigan, now at this post, have had much trouble in endeavoring to get mustered into the service. I respectfully request that Major J. Langdon Ward, commissary of musters at this post, be authorized to muster in officers of Sixth Michigan.

GEO. L. ANDREWS,

Brigadier-General of Volunteers, Commanding Post.

PORT HUDSON, LA.,

November 23, 1863.

Brigadier General CHARLES P. STONE,

Chief of Staff, New Orleans:

GENERAL: I have the honor to send you herewith a few of the letters captured in a rebel mail by our expedition to Tunica Bend.* There is little of importance in any of them. The following is a summary of what I have found in reading them, viz: From letter directed to Simsport, October 31, reported that articles are smuggled out of New Orleans; that negroes are dying fast, and coming back from the yanks as fast as they went. Mobile, November 2: Prepared for attack, but no prospect of one at present. Northern elections overwhelmingly Abolition. News encouraging. Mobile, October 19, 1863: Families cannot live at less than $40 to $50 per day on the plainest food; are going to Lumpkin, Ga., where they can live for one-fourth of what it costs at Mobile. Bragg whipped Rosecrans, taking 7,000 and killing and wounding 20,000 to 25,000 more; rebel loss, 1,700 to 1,800 killed, and 12,000 to 15,000 wounded and missing. Reported that Lee cleaned out the Yankees again in Virginia last Thursday. Mobile, October 19, 1863; Glory over Taylor, Kirby Smith & Co. Everything is confident, hopeful, &c. Addressed to commander of C. S. steamer Cotton, at Shreveport. Richmond, October 31: Things awful high. (See price current inclosed. Boots, $250 per pair, &c.)

I am, general, respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. L. ANDREWS,

Brigadier-General of Volunteer, Commanding Post.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF PENSACOLA,
Barrancas, Fla., November 23, 1863.

Brigadier General CHARLES P. STONE,

Chief of Staff, Headquarters Department of the Gulf:

GENERAL: I have the honor to report, upon information received, that the nearest permanent rebel camps are at Pollard, Ala., and Camp

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*No inclosures.

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52 R R-VOL XXVI, PT I