[First indorsement.]

HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
New Orleans, September 14, 1864.

Respectfully referred to Brigadier General J. W. Davidson, chief of cavalry of the division, for remark.

By order of Major General E. R. S. Canby:

C. T. CHRISTENSEN,

Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Second indorsement.]

OFFICE CHIEF OF CAV., MIL. DIV. OF WEST MISS.,

September 14, 1864.

There is no cavalry in reserve in the Department of the Gulf. I know of no regiment serving in districts or with the Nineteenth Army Corps that can be spared away from its present duties. I recommended a few days ago if more cavalry were needed in the La Fourche District that the Third Rhode Island be remounted.

Respectfully submitted.

J. W. DAVIDSON,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Cavalry.

HEADQUARTERS DEFENSES OF NEW ORLEANS,
New Orleans, September 12, 1864.

Commodore PALMER, U. S. Navy,

Commanding, &c.:

COMMODORE: The expedition I proposed for your co-operation the other day, and which fell through in consequence of your gun-boat having rather successfully anticipated us on Bayou Pigeon, I still see the necessity of. I shall have a force near the head of Lake Natchez at any time when I am to be assured that a gun-boat will be there. It can go by the way of Bayou Pigeon, but will you? Should you consent let me know at what time you can have a boat there. It is absolutely necessary, you know, to be sure and make the junction to be of good effect. Commodore, can I assist you in any way in keeping open rand River all the way from Palourde to Bayou Pigeon? Any suggestions you can make on this important subject I would thank you for.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

T. W. SHERMAN,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS DEFENSES OF NEW ORLEANS,
New Orleans, September 12, 1864.

Brigadier General R. A. CAMERON,

Commanding La Fourche District:

Your communication of the 10th instant has been received and laid before the commanding general. The following are his orders indorsed thereon:

This expedition is very well, and it is similar to one which was contemplated some days ago, when, before it could be organized, it was found that the navy had anticipated us in Bayou Pigeon. The purposed expedition is promising, and I approve of it; but two things must be insisted on in pursuing it: First. The point and time