HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
New Orleans, January 3, 1864.

Brigadier General PHILIP ST. GEORGE COOKE,

U. S. Army, Baton Ruge:

GENERAL: The commanding general desires that a telegraphic report of the condition of affairs in your district shall be sent to the chief of staff every morning at 9 o'clock and every evening at 6 o'clock. When movements of troops are mentioned, either our own or those of the enemy, the report will be in cipher.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

[C. P. STONE.]

(Same to Brigadier-General Andrews, Port Hudson; Colonel Molineux, commanding District of La Fourche; commanding officer Bonnet Carre.)

BATON ROUGE, LA., January 3, 1864-6.30 p. m.

Brigadier General C. P. STONE,

Chief of Staff:

Your dispatch received. Section of Eighteenth New York Battary returned to-day. No news. Supposed to be about 800 of the rebels within 60 miles on this side. Hear the rebel force returned from Atchafalaya to Alexandria and beyond; that Logan has crossed to west side without troops.

P. ST. GEO. COOKE,

Brigadier-General, U. S. Army, Commanding.

SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Numbers 3. Brownsville, Tex., January 3, 1864.

* * * *

IV. Major General F. J. Herron, U. S. Volunteers having reported for duty at these headquarters, will in obedience to his instructions assume command of the troops of the frontier.* He will communicate as frequently as possible with these headquarters, sending in all regular and making special of whatever occurrences transpire and

whatever information he is able to procure.

* * * *

By order Major General N. J. Dana:

WALTER B. SCATES,
Lieutenant Colonel and Asst. Adjt. General, Thirteenth Army Corps.

HDQRS. DISTRICT OF SOUTHWEST MISSOURI,

Springfield, Mo., January 3, 1864.

Colonel JOHN E. PHELPS,

Commanding at Casseville, Mo.:

COLONEL: General McNeil telegraphs that his scouts from Fort Gibson report that it was reported at Maysville that portion of Quantrill's men had come in on the Cowskin and Bulter's Creek.

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*Major-General Herron assumed command same day, with headquarters at Brownsville.

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