LITTLE ROCK, ARK., May 22, 1865-4 p. m.

Captain JOS. McC. BELL,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

The following dispatch, in answer to questions submitted, is just received:

PINE BLUFF, May 22, 1865.

Colonel JOHN LEVERING,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

All the information I have in regard to Kirby Smith's surrender is from the twenty-six men of West's rebel battery who came in last evening. The sergeant commanding the party says that on the 12th instant there was a conference of State men and commanding officer at Marshall, Tex. ; that a surrender was made at Shreveport on the 15th to Colonel Sprague, on General Pope's staff, and that the commanding officer at Hickory Mount, twenty-seven miles this side of Shreveport, where he was stationed, told his men that as Kirby Smith had surrendered they must go to the military post near their homes and give themselves up. This sergeant is an intelligent and seems to be a reliable man. I believe his report.

POWELL CLAYTON,

Brigadier-General.

Very respectfully.

J. J. REYNOLDS.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF ARKANSAS,
Little Rock, Ark., May 22, 1865.

Major E. C. BAINBRIDGE,

Aide-de-Camp:

You will proceed without delay to Memphis, Tenn., and there join staff officers from Department of the Missouri under orders from Major-General Pope, commanding Military Division of the Missouri, and accompany said officers to Wittsburg and Jacksonport, Ark., to superintend the surrender of the rebel troops commanded by Brigadier General M. Jeff. Thompson. The accompanying telegram from Major-General Pope is furnished for your information. * Having carried out the above instructions you will return to your duty at these headquarters.

By command of Major General J. J. Reynolds:

JOHN LEVERING,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF ARKANSAS,
Little Rock, Ark., May 22, 1865.

Brigadier General ALEX. SHALER,

Commanding, Devall's Bluff:

GENERAL: The major-general commanding recognizes the importance of placing a small force of one or two companies at Searcy and submits to you the selection of the same from the Third Minnesota Volunteers or Thirty-sixth Iowa Volunteers. If a field officer of the regiment from which troops are selected can be spared, it is advisable that he should serve with the detachment. Please instruct the commanding officer of the regiment sent to Batesville that no separate headquarters of post will be established by him. He will retain command of his regiment.

By command of Major General J. J. Reynolds:

JOHN LEVERING,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

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*See Pope to Reynolds, May 17, p. 482.

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