Army, of the custody of these proposals, and his carriage of the same beyond our lines, hostilities are suspended on the front lines, which I am now holding, and through which Lieutenant-Colonel Sprague passed, until an answer is received to the proposal referred to; and if you do not so understand it, I propose to you that hostilities shall cease along our front lines until an answer be delivered. I will await your answer here.

Yours, respectfully,

J. L. BRENT,

Brigadier General, Commanding Front Lines, District of West Louisiana.

HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
OFFICE CHIEF SIGNAL OFFICER,

New Orleans, La., May 19, 1865.

Lieutenant Colonel C. T. CHRISTENSEN,

Asst. Adjt. General, Military Division of West Mississippi:

COLONEL: I have the honor to submit to your consideration the following report of information received at this office this 19th day of May, 1865: Mr. Bell, a scout sent from this office, has just returned from Bayou Sara and vicinity. He reports that a Doctor Bealls, Confederate cotton agent, residing at or near Bayou Sara, La., has 1,600 bales of Confederate cotton secreted somewhere on the line of the Jackson railroad, which he proposes to sell on private account. A widow lady in the confidence of Doctor B., residing at Bayou Sara, says that he (Bealls) proposes to retain the cotton until such time as he can dispose of it satisfactorily to himself. That he does not intend the Confederate or United States Government shall have the benefit of it. Sixty bales, reported to have been shipped to New Orleans for the purpose of purchasing medical supplies for the rebel army, were sold and the proceeds retained by the said Bealls.

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

FRANK N. WICKER,

Lieutenant, Signal Corps, U. S. Army.

(In absence of Captain S. M. Eaton, chief signal officer, Military Division of West Mississippi.)

HDQRS. ARMY AND DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
Mobile, Ala., May 19, 1865.

Captain CLARENCE H. DYER,

Assistant Adjutant-General, New Orleans:

General Canby desires to be informed by telegraph of Colonel Sprague's return from Red River and the result of his mission as soon as known.

C. T. CHRISTENSEN,

Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSOURI,

Saint Louis, Mo., May 19, 1865-12 m. (Received 2. 30 p. m.)

Lieutenant-General GRANT:

Your dispatch concerning Sheridan received. Have instructed Reynolds accordingly. You may rely upon my sending every man I can