II. Major John S. Wood, Seventh Iowa Cavalry, is hereby assigned to the command of the post of Fort Laramie. Companies D and F, Seventh Iowa Cavalry, will comprise a part of the garrison and will be subject to orders from Lieutenant-Colonel Collins, if necessary, for the protection of this line of communication. Lieutenant-Colonel Collins will turn over all books, papers, and other property belonging to the post to Major Wood on his assuming command of post.

By command of Brigadier General Robert B. Mitchell:

[JOHN K. RANKIN,?]

Lieutenant and Aide-de-Camp.

HEADQUARTERS,
Fort Abercrombie, July 28, 1864.

Captain R. C. OLIN,

Assistant Adjutant-General, District of Minnesota:

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that I arrived here late yesterday evening and assumed command of the Independent Battalion of Minnesota Volunteers, and also that I relieved Captain Mix, in command of this post, this morning.

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

C. POWELL ADAMS,

Major Independent Battalion Minnesota Vol. Cav., Commanding Post.

HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
New Orleans, July 29, 1864.

Rear-Admiral D. G. FARRAGUT,

Commanding W. G. B. Squadron, off Mobile, Ala.:

ADMIRAL: General Granger, with 1,500 infantry, two light and two heavy batteries, and a battalion of engineer troops, in all 2,400 men, is embarking to-day. We have much difficulty about transportation. Two of the steamers intended for the expedition have broken down and I have been obliged to substitute a heavy sea-going steamer, which will involve the trouble and delay of lightering. The rebels appear to be concentrating in considerable force on the west back of the Atchafalaya; their object is not yet developed. No troops have yet arrived from Texas, but I am looking for them daily.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. R. S. CANBY,

Major-General.

HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
OFFICE CHIEF OF CAVALRY,

New Orleans, La., July 29, 1864.

Major C. T. CHRISTENSEN,

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

MAJOR: Some days ago I reported that there were 7,500 effective mounted troops in the Department of the Gulf. I respectfully recommend to the commanding general that from this number 2,000 be assigned to what is termed the Defenses of New Orleans and to the post of Port Hudson, for the necessary outpost duty and duties of patrols for observation. In this estimate of the number required for the above duties I believe Major-General Reynolds, Brigadier-General Arnold,

29 R R-VOL XLI, PT II.