think beef can be contracted for at 7 or 8 cents net. With the railroad repaired to Brasher, and Washington supplied for six months, all the steam transportation needed would be one or at most two small steamboats to run from Brashear to New Iberia, from which point communication can be kept up with Washington via Vermillionville and Opelousas. This boat can be dispensed with as soon as the regular packet line from Brashear to New Iberia is established.

I am, very respectfully, Your obedient servant,

R. A. CAMERON,

Brigadier-General of Volunteers, Commanding District.

[Indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS SOUTHERN DIVISION OF LOUISIANA,
New Orleans, La., June 22, 1865.

Respectfully forwarded to department headquarters.

The suggestions concerning the stationing of the troops were anticipated in my communication to headquarters Department of the Gulf June 9, 1865, and ordered to be carried into effect June 13, 1865. The Sixteenth Indiana (mounted) Infantry, however, has been withdrawn since my report, and General Cameron's suggestion as to the disposition of the Third Rhode Island Cavalry will have to be carried out in case it be found that more cavalry is wanted on the Teche.

T. W. SHERMAN,

Brevet Major-General, Commanding.

HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE SOUTHWEST,
New Orleans, La., June 16, 1865.

Major General GORDON GRANGER,

Commanding U. S. Forces in Texas, New Orleans, La.:

GENERAL: As soon as possible after Your arrival at Galveston direct Major-General Steele, now at Brownsville, to demand of the commander of the French forces in Matamoras the return of all arms and munitions of war taken to Matamoras by the rebels, or obtained from them since the date of the surrender of General E. Kirby Smith. He need not proceed to hostilities to obtain them, but report the reply received to these headquarters for further instructions.

Very respectfully, Your most obedient servant,

P. H. SHERIDAN,

Major-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, BENTON'S DIVISION,
Clarksville, Tex., June 16, 1865.

Brigadier General J. R. SLACK,

Commanding U. S. Forces:

GENERAL: In obedience to the instructions of the major-general commanding U. S. Forces on the Rio Grande I have the honor to report to You with my command for duty.

I am, very respectfully, Your obedient servant,

THOMAS H. BENTON, JR.,

Colonel Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry, Commanding Second Brigade.