BRASHEAR CITY, May 15, 1865.

(Received 3. 20 p. m.)

Major W. HOFFMAN,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

Yours relating to the surrender of parties of the enemy on the west side of the river is received.

R. A. CAMERON,

Brigadier-General of Volunteers, Commanding District.

BRASHEAR CITY, LA., May 15, 1865.

Colonel J. HALE SYPHER,

Eleventh U. S. Colored Heavy Artillery, Plaquemine, La.:

Major Burt's report of last week's scout is received. * In future your men on these scouts will be instructed to pursue any parties found until they are captured or driven into the swamps, for the purpose of capturing their horses and equipments. You will correspond with Colonel William O. Fiske for the purpose of making all necessary arrangements for a joint expedition toward Bayou Goula to carry out your suggestion for the capture of Brown and his gang. In your reconnaissance toward The Park your command will only go to the overflow.

By command of Brigadier-General Cameron:

B. B. CAMPBELL,

Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.

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

Major-General HERRON,

Baton Rouge:

Deserters from the rebel army who now come forward and ask protection of the military authorities must be considered as surrendering at this time and not entitled of right to take the amnesty oath. You will confer that privilege only upon such men as you believe to be fully and thoroughly desirous of restoring peas and establishing the national authority. By the President's proclamation of the 26th of March, 1864, the amnesty applies only to those persons who, being yet at large and free from any arrest, confinement, or duress, shall voluntarily come forward and take the said oath with the purpose of restoring peace and establishing the national authority. This will not embrace deserters of last year who now come forward since the surrender of General Lee.

By command of Major-General Banks:

J. SCHUYLER CROSBY,

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

HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
New Orleans, May 15, 1865.

COMMANDING OFFICER, DEPARTMENT OF MISSISSIPPI,

Vicksburg, Miss.:

SIR: I inclose an order putting the Southern Railroad between Vicksburg and Meridian in possession of the company, subject to military

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* See Part I, p. 241.

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