HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
New Orleans, February 20, 1865.

Brigadier General JAMES C. VEATCH, U. S. Volunteers:

GENERAL: The commanding general directs that one more of the Arkansas regiments (besides the three mentioned in my communication of yesterday) be held in readiness to leave this afternoon by the steamer Corinthian, and the balance (two regiments) to leave by the steamer Belvidere to-morrow. Both these steamers will go to Dauphin Island by sea, and the commanding general desires that yourself and staff proceed by the Belvidere. It is highly important that no delays should occur in the movements of these troops, and requisitions for supplies should therefore instantly be made out and filled. The chiefs of the staff departments are prepared to respond without delay. If any of these regiments have made arrangements for payments, paymasters will be sent after them to Mobile Bay to complete the arrangements, but the troops will not be allowed to delay their departure from Algiers on that account.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. T. CHRISTENSEN,

Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, Numbers 48.
New Orleans, February 20, 1865.

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8. Owing to the want of success that has attended the efforts made to organize the regiments of colored volunteers authorized by General Orders, Numbers 154,* series of 1864, from these headquarters, the authority contained in the same is hereby revoked, and all recruits who have been enlisted under that order will be at once transferred to other regiments of colored troops serving in this departments to complete the terms of their enlistment. In making transfers under this order care will be taken to equalize as far as possible the relative strength of the regiments, and to place the men so transferred where their services will be first and most available. To this end infantry regiments serving in the field will be selected. The chiefs mustering officer of the departments is charged with the execution of this order.

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14. In compliance with orders from headquarters Military Division of West Mississippi, the following-named regiments will proceed as soon as transportation can be furnished to Algiers, La., and be reported to Brigadier General John P. Hawkins, commanding Separate Division of the U. S. Colored Infantry: The Ninety-third U. S. Colored Infantry, now at Brashear City; the Eightieth U. S. Colored Infantry, now at Bonnet Carree; the Seventy-sixth U. S. Colored Infantry, now at Port Hudson; the Seventy-eighth U. S. Colored Infantry, now at Port Hudson,; the Seventy-third U. S. Colored Infantry, now at Morganza; the Seventy-fifth U. S. Colored Infantry, now at Morganza. The quartermaster's department will furnish the necessary transportations.

By command of Major-General Hurlbut:

J. C. STONE,
Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.

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*See Vol. XLI, Part IV, p. 266.

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