quarters military division the probable hour of his arrival at New Orleans; also the strength of his command. The quartermaster's department will furnish the necessary transportation.

By order of Colonel Charles Black:

C. S. LAKE,

Lieutenant and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

LITTLE ROCK, ARK, January 5, 1865.

Captain GUY S. ALEXANDER,

Sixty-second Illinois, Pine Bluff, Ark.:

I am assigned to the command of the brigade and will leave for Pine Bluff by first opportunity.

THOMAS H. BENTON, JR.,

Colonel Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry.

HDQRS. CAVALRY DIVISION, SEVENTH ARMY CORPS,
Little Rock, Ark., January 5, 1865.

Brigadier General CYRUS BUSSEY,

Commanding Second Brigade:

GENERAL: You will please cause the main road to Benton to be patrolled daily by a cavalry force of such strength as you may from time to time deem expedient, and to a point from then to fifteen miles distant from Fort Steele. If a flag of truce be met no communication must be permitted to be had with it, except by the officer in command of the patrol, until the pleasure of the department commander is made known; nearer than a point ten miles distant from Fort Steele.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. R. WEST,

Brigadier-General, Commanding

HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, SEVENTH ARMY CORPS,
Devall's Bluff, Ark., January 5, 1865-9 a. m.

Brigadier-General WEST,

Chief of Cavalry, Department of Arkansas:

We have as yet but one boat to send up. She is excellent for the purpose, and will heave here at 10 o'clock this a. m. with a guard. If another boat arrives in time to be of service at either point I will dispatch her at once, unless you send me contrary orders.

ALEXANDER SHALER,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

LITTLE ROCK, January 5, 1865.

General SHALER:

Your dispatch of this morning meets the case entirely.

J. R. WEST,

Brigadier-General.