HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF LA FOURCHE,
Brashear City, La., May 17, 1865.

Major W. HOFFMAN,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Southern Division of Louisiana:

Colonel Fiske, commanding post at Donaldsonville, telegraphs me that Brown surrendered with five of his men as prisoners of war yesterday. Brown said the remainder of his command have gone across Lake Verret to the Terche on their way home. He says that Whitaker and his command have gone to Shreveport, where they have been ordered. My mail courier arrived at Bayou Boeuf at noon to-day on his way here, being now two days and a half out. If the telegraph line should fail us between Bayou Boeuf and Terre Bonne it will take days to get it repaired, such is the difficulty in getting through. Will you please let me known when the Bart Able leaves for this place.

Yours,

R. A. CAMERON,

Brigadier-General, Commanding District.

HEADQUARTERS SOUTHERN DIVISION OF LOUISIANA,
New Orleans, La., May 17, 1865.

Brigadier-General CAMERON,

Brashear City, La.:

The Bart Able starts to-morrow at 5 p. m.

WICKHMAN HOFFMAN,

Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS LA FOURCHE DISTRICT,
Brashear City, La., May 17, 1865.

Major W. HOFFMAN,

Asst. Adjt. General, Southern Div. of Louisiana, New Orleans:

Your telegram notifying me of the time of departure of the Bart Able from New Orleans is received.

R. A. CAMERON,

Brigadier-General, Commanding District.

HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
New Orleans, May 17, 1865.

Major General F. J. HERRON:

SIR: You will greatly oblige me if you will cause a report to be made to me, based on reliable information, of the condition of the country in West Louisiana between the Mississippi River and the Bayou Boeuf, and whether the condition of the roads leading from Ponte Coupee. Baton Rouge, and Plaquemine to Opelousas, or any other route in that direction, is at present practicable for military operations, giving particularly all information in your possession in regard to the watercourses which are to be crossed.

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

P. JOS. OSTERHAUS,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.