in the engineer department, and have proved themselves very valuable. My only object in writing this communication is the good of the service, which, in my opinion, will be benefitted if this plan is carried out.

I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

P. C. HAINS,

Captain, U. S. Engrs., and Actg. Chief Engr. Dept. of the Gulf.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, Numbers 282.
New Orleans, October 18, 1864.

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11. For the better organization of the colored troops in this department, the following brigades and divisions are announced. Brigadier General G. L. Andrews, U. S. Volunteers, is hereby assigned to the command of the U. S. Colored Troops, Department of the Gulf, for the purpose stated, and will take the necessary steps to effect the object: First Division, commanded by Brigadier General Daniel Ullmann, U. S. Volunteers: First Brigade, commanded by Colonel Henry N. Frisbie, Ninety-second U. S. Colored Infantry--Seventy-third U. S.

Colored Infantry, Seventy-fifth U. S. Colored Infantry, Eighty-fourth U. S. Colored Infantry, Ninety-second U. S. Colored Infantry; Second Brigade, commanded by Colonel A. J. Edgerton, Sixty-fifth U. S. Colored Infantry--Ninety-ninth U. S. Colored Infantry, Sixty-seventh U. S. Colored Infantry, Sixty-fifth U. S. Colored Infantry. Second Division, commanded by Colonel C. W. Drew, Seventy-sixth U. S. Colored Infantry; First Brigade, to be commanded by the senior colonel--Seventy-sixth U. S. Colored Infantry, Sixty-second U. S. Colored Infantry, Fourth U. S. Colored Cavalry; Second Brigade, commanded by Colonel S. B. Jones, Seventy-eighth U. S. Colored Infantry--Seventy-eighth U. S. Colored Infantry, Eighty-first U. S. Colored Infantry (old), Second U. S. Colored Infantry, Eighty-first U. S. Colored Infantry (new). Third Division, commanded by Colonel Cyrus Hamlin, Eightieth U. S. Colored Infantry: First Brigade, commanded by Colonel J. C. Cobb, Ninety-sixth U. S. Colored Infantry--Ninety-sixth U. S. Colored Infantry, Ninety-seventh U. S. Colored Infantry, Eighty-second U. S. Colored Infantry, Eighty-sixth U. S. Colored Infantry, Twenty-fifth U. S. Colored Infantry; Second Brigade, commanded by Colonel Simon Jones, Ninety-third U. S. Colored Infantry--Ninety-third U. S. Colored Infantry, Twentieth U. S. Colored Infantry, Ninety-eighth U. S. Colored Infantry, Tenth U. S. Colored Heavy Artillery; Third Brigade, commanded by Colonel C. A. Hartwell, Seventy-seventh U. S. Colored Infantry--Seventy-seventh U. S. Colored Infantry, Eightieth U. S. Colored Infantry, Seventy-fourth U. S. Colored Infantry, Eleventh U. S. Colored Heavy Artillery. Copies of all returns will be sent to General Andrews, through the regular channels of the brigades and divisions, besides those made to the commanding officers of the posts or districts in which they may be serving.

12. The non-veteran portion of the Seventh Vermont Volunteers, serving in the District of West Florida and Southern Alabama, will without delay be sent to this city and be reported to the commanding general Defenses of New Orleans, to be returned to their regiment. The quartermaster's department will furnish the necessary transportation.

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By command of Major-General Hurlbut:

C. S. SARGENT,

First Lieutenant, Aide-de-Camp and Actg. Asst. Adjt. General