HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
Alexandria, La., March 24, 1864

Colonel DICKEY,

Commanding Brigade, Corps d'Afrique:

COLONEL: You will keep your brigade well in hand, and grant no passes until you are established in camp. Non-commissioned officers and privates are noticed on the streets, which must be stopped at once.

By command of Major-General Banks:

GEORGE B. DRAKE,

Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. SIXTEENTH REGIMENT OHIO VOL. INFANTRY.

Pass Cavallo, Tex., March 24, 1864-3.30 p.m.

Captain WILSON, A. A. G., First Division;

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to inform you that a rebel force of cavalry, numbering about 50 men, approached our outposts at McHenry Bayou this afternoon. They have just left, taking a course parallel with McHenry Bayou.

Very respectfully,
PHILIP KERSHNER,

Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Sixteenth Ohio Vol. Infty.

[Indorsement.]

HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, THIRTEENTH CORPS,
Pass Cavallo, March 24, 1864-4 p.m.

Respectfully forwarded to headquarters Thirteenth Corps.

The bayou reported is miscalled. Colonel K[ershner] intends "Big" or "Bayucas Bayou," the outside picket.

N. J. T. DANA.

Major-General.

ENGINEER'S OFFICE,

Pass Cavallo, Tex., March 24, 1864.

Captain B. WILSON, Assistant Adjutant-General:

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report as to work on fortifications for the 23rd and 24th March, instant: I employed on second line yesterday 1,754 men, exclusive of solders, from the First and Second Brigades, First Division, and 170 men on right and left of same line making revetments. One-half of this number were engaged at the same time.

There were engaged to-day on second line, exclusive of sodding party, 1,695 men, and a party making revetments on right and left of line of 175 men. The work on this line has progressed very rapidly for the last two days. Thirty-six men were employed at Bayou McHenry, 195 on first line, and 110 at Fort Esperanza on the 23rd and 24th instant. Good progress was made here. I can employ twenty teams more than I now have on second line. I also require on same line at least 10,000 shingles, or other timber in sufficient quantities, to make pickets for sodding.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN C. COBB,

Colonel and Chief Engineer.