SPECIAL ORDERS,
WAR DEPT., ADJT. GENERAL'S OFFICE, Numbers 454.
Washington, December 18, 1864.

Bvt. Brigadier General William Hoffman, inspector and commissary general of prisoners of the region west of the Mississippi, will, upon the receipt of this order, repair without delay to Nashville, Tenn., and take charge of all prisoners of war that may be at that place. General Hoffman will acknowledge the receipt of this order.

By order of the Secretary of War:

E. D. TOWNSEND,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

GENERAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY FORCES, MIL. DIV. OF WEST MISSISSIPPI, Numbers 13.
West Pascagoula, Miss., December 18, 1864.

The expedition for which the following-named officers volunteered their services having arrived at a termination, they are hereby relieved from duty on the staff of the general commanding and will rejoin their respective commands: Colonel J. J. Byrne, Eighteenth New York Cavalry Volunteers, aide-de-camp; Major John Tracey, jr., acting assistant inspector-general of cavalry, Department of the Gulf, acting assistant inspector-general; Captain J. F. S. Gray, assistant adjutant-general, staff of Major General E. R. S. Canby, volunteer aide-de-camp; Asst. Surg. A. Hartsuff, U. S. Army, medical director; Lieutenant B. K. Roberts, aide-de-camp, staff of Brigadier General B. S. Roberts, volunteer aide-de-camp. In relieving these officers the commanding general desires to express his high appreciation of them as officers and gentlemen, and to tender them his thanks, both personal and official, for their services during the late expedition, and for the fidelity and zeal which they have at all times exhibition while on his staff.

By order of Brigadier General J. W. Davidson:

A. S. MONTGOMERY,

Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEFENSES OF NEW ORLEANS,
New Orleans, December 18, 1864.

PROVOST-MARSHAL PARISH OF ORLEANS:

I am instructed to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of yesterday in relation to the throwing up of rockers in various portions of the city. It is not though that there is any concerted action in throwing up these rockets, it being customary at this season in New Orleans to make such displays, yet it would be well for you to examine into the matter in such a manner as to avoid suspicion, and thereby not create any alarm. The commanding will expect a report from you as soon as practicable.

FREDERIC SPEED,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

56 R R-VOL XLI, PT IV