CIRCULAR.] HDQRS. THIRD DIV., SEVENTH ARMY CORPS,

Little Rock, Ark., March 12, 1864.

The following extract of a letter of instructions for Major General F. Steele, commanding Department of Arkansas, is hereby published for the information of brigade commanders:

The object of this expedition is a co-operation with forces moving Red River toward Shreveport. The subsistence supplies will consist of the small rations, only, and for the most part the command will be supplied from the country. Forage will have to the supplied in the same manner.

I am further directed to say that Colonel Engelman's brigade and Battery A, Third Illinois Artillery, and Battery E, Second Missouri Artillery, have been attached to this division.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. BLOCKI,

Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.

CIRCULAR.] HDQRS. THIRD DIV., SEVENTH ARMY CORPS,

Little Rock, Ark., March 12, 1864.

The general commanding directs me to say that in case the division should be ordered on a march the following instructions will be observed: The troops will go in light marching order. Each man will carry in his knapsack his blanket, poncho, one shirt, one pair of stockings, two days' rations in his haversack, and 40 rounds of ammunition. One wagon will be allowed to each regiment for transportation of cooking utensils, &c., and one wagon for brigade headquarters. Such men as are not able to march will be left in camp and one commissioned officer of each regiment will be placed in charge of the camp. Lieutenant-Colonel Mackey, Thirty-third Iowa Infantry, whose health don't permit to march, will remain in charge of the whole camp of the division.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. BLOCKI,

Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. DISTRICT OF NORTHEASTERN ARKANSAS,
Batesville, Ark., March 12, 1864.

Lieutenant Colonel WILLIAM BAUMER,

First Regiment Nebraska Cavalry, Batesville, Ark.:

COLONEL: You will take 200 men of your command, properly officered, armed, and equipped, with four days' rations, and cross White River at Ramsay's Ferry at daylight to-morrow morning. After crossing you will proceed without delay to Round Bottom, near Sylamore, on White River, to obtain a quantity of forage reported to be in that neighborhood. You will assist and protect the steam transport Miller, which will go up river to obtain the forage to-morrow, keeping your force in supporting distance of her.

You will endeavor to hunt up the enemy reported to be in camp at McDermott's, near Buck Horn, and kill, capture, and destroy them. Should any mules taken from our train be found in possession of the citizens in that neighborhood, your will capture them and arrest and send to this station all men holding them, together