the sloughs and bayous leading from Bayou de Glaize to Mansura, or even beyond, if necessary. Let me hear from You fully as soon as You perfect Your arrangements. It is said that some cotton has already been brought back of Silas Tolbat's for the purpose of being carried out.

Yours, respectfully,

J. L. BRENT,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF TEXAS, &C., No. 97. Houston, April 7, 1865.

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X. The following is announced as the organization of the First and Second Brigades of Maxey's division of infantry: First Brigade (Brigadier General J. E. Harrison commanding)-Fifteenth Texas Infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel Daniel commanding; Seventeenth Texas Dismounted Cavalry, Colonel Tucker commanding; Thirty-fifth Texas Dismounted Cavalry, Colonel Likens commanding; Hardeman's battalion dismounted cavalry, Lieutenant Colonel P. Hardeman commanding. Second Brigade-Terry's regiment dismounted cavalry, Colonel Terry commanding; Border's regiment dismounted cavalry, Colonel Border commanding; Thirty-first Regiment Texas Infantry, Colonel Malone commanding; Merrick's battalion infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel Merrick commanding. Brigadier-General Harrison will at once assume command of both brigades and concentrate them in the vicinity of Harrisburg as rapidly as possible. The quartermaster's and commissary departments will furnish the necessary transportation and subsistence. The organization of the Third Brigade of this division will be announced as soon as perfected.

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By command of Major-General Magruder:

STEPHEN D. YANCEY,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS TRANS-MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT,

Shreveport, April 8, 1865.

Honorable ALBERT PIKE:

SIR: Having full faith in Your integrity and patriotism, You are hereby appointed, under authority vested in me by the President of the Confederate States, a commissioner on the part of Said States to treat, alone or in conjunction with other commissioners, with the Comanches of the prairie, and to form alliance with them in accordance with the power with which You are invested.

I am, sir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant,

E. KIRBY SMITH,

General.

HEADQUARTERS TRANS-MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT,
Shreveport, April 8, 1865.

Honorable ALBERT PIKE:

SIR: I have the honor to state that on the 22nd of December, 1864, Colonel James E. Harrison, Fifteenth Regiment Texas Volunteer Infantry, with