HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
New Orleans, May 15, 1865.

Major General P. J. OSTERHAUS,

Chief of Staff, Military Division of West Mississippi:

GENERAL: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your communication of this date directing that an inspection be made of all posts on the Mississippi River within this department with a view to the reduction of their garrisons to the lowest minimum sufficient to hold them as military posts. In reply I have the honor to inform you that the necessary orders have been given to carry your instructions into effect immediately.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

N. P. BANKS,

Major-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
New Orleans, May 15, 1865.

Brigadier General T. W. SHERMAN,

Commanding Southern Division of Louisiana:

GENERAL: The Eighty-first U. S. Colored Infantry, recently arrived in this city, is reported to be the finest regiment of colored troops in this department. The commanding general desires that if not in your opinion prejudicial to the interests of your command, it be assigned to duty in the city of New Orleans.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. SCHUYLER CROSBY,

Bvt. Lieutenant Colonel, Aide-de-Camp, and Actg. Asst. Adjt. General

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
New Orleans, May 15, 1865.

Brigadier General T. W. SHERMAN,

Commanding Southern Division of Louisiana:

GENERAL: You will immediately cause a thorough inspection of all the posts on the Mississippi River under your command, with a view to the immediate reduction of their garrisons to the lowest minimum sufficient to hold them as military posts, it being deemed unnecessary under the present state of affairs in the States east of the Mississippi to retain there any places d'armes or fortified camps. You will report without delay the result of this investigation, with the statement of the exact number of troops, infantry, cavalry, and artillery required, and any changes you may deem necessary in executing fortifications, when the contemplated reduction takes place. All troops whose term of service expires within three or four months will be retained in garrison. The inspector-general of the department will confer with you in person in regard to the necessary charges. The above is communicated by direction of the major-general commanding the department.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. SCHUYLER CROSBY,

Bvt. Lieutenant Colonel, Aide-de-Camp, and Actg. Asst. Adjt. General

(Same to Major-General Herron.)