ways than through the agents of the Provost-Marshal-General, and who have not been reported as such to provost-marshals of enrollment districts, are, of course, proper subjects for the action of the department commanders.

By command of Major-General Halleck:

E. D. TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

OFFICE CHIEF QUARTERMASTER, DEPT. OF THE GULF, New Orleans, February 24, 1864.

Captain W. B. ARMSTRONG,

Assistant Quartermaster:

SIR: As soon as possible you will send forward the trains of the Thirteenth Corps to the Teche, 7 miles beyond the crossing at Brashear. The teams should be lightly loaded with forage and quartermaster's stores. Two hundred wagons will thus be sent forward. The trains now ready must start immediately. Report when the first leave, and daily all that get away afterward.

By command of Major-General Banks:

S. B. HOLABIRD,

Colonel, Chief Quartermaster.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, Numbers 49.,
New Orleans, La., February 24, 1864.

* * * * * *

10. Two squadrons of the Eighteenth New York Cavalry will proceed to Pass Cavallo, Tex., and report to Major-General Dana for duty. The quartermaster's department will furnish the necessary transportation.

By command of Major-General Banks:

RICHD. B. IRWIN,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS, New Orleans, February 24, 1864.

Lieutenant Colonel RICHARD B. IRWIN,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Department of the Gulf:

I have the honor to inclose herewith the accompanying copy of a dispatch from Major-General Dana, for the information of the general commanding the department.* Understanding that the positions occupied by General Dana's forces on Matagorda Bay were designated by the general commanding the department, I deem it proper that I should abstain from interfering with them except under his direction. I venture to suggest the importance of early sending a strong battalion of cavalry to General Dana, or picket duty, for scouting, for protecting parties bringing wood and water, and other needful purposes.

Your obedient servant,

JOHN A. McCLERNAND,

Major-General, Commanding.

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*See Dana to Ord, February 15, p. 335.

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