HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
New Orleans, La., September 17, 1864.

Major General F. STEELE,

Little Rock, Ark.:

General A. J. Smith has been ordered to operate west of the Mississippi, and has received instructions from Washington. Put yourself in communication with him, if possible, and keep him advised of your movements and those of the enemy.

E. R. S. CANBY,

Major-General, Commanding.

(Copy to Major-General Reynolds.)

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF LITTLE ROCK,
Little Rock, Ark., September 17, 1864.

Colonel JOHN F. RITTER,

Commanding Officer Second Cavalry Brigade:

The brigadier-general commanding directs as follows: That you send out scouting parties to the Saline to bring in beef-cattle, which are reported by Captain Jenks, First Iowa Cavalry, to be plenty in that direction. The commanding officer must be directed to see that effective receipts are given for all cattle not belonging to know active rebels. The cattle will be turned over to the commissary department when brought in.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. H. DYER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

(Copies to Colonels Ryan, Moyers, General Andrews, and General Clayton.)

BROWNSVILLE, September 17, 1864.

Captain C. H. DYER,

Asst. Adjt. General, District of Little Rock:

General Mower's command left this afternoon at 1 o'clock. My scouts south report a rebel force of about 100 in the vicinity of Clear Lake.

G. MOYERS,

Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Post.

LITTLE ROCK, ARK., September 17, 1864-7.45 p. m.

Lieutenant Colonel G. MOYERS,

Brownsville:

The general commanding thinks you had better send a force after the rebels which you mention in your dispatch this evening as being near Clear Lake. He directs me to say that to-morrow morning (18th) will be soon enough for the scout to start.

S. E. GRAVES,

Captain and Acting Aide-de-Camp.