HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF.

Alexandria, march 29, 1864.

Captain WELCH,
Assistant Quartermaster;

CAPTAIN: The steamer Colonel Cowles will proceed to-morrow morning over the rapids to join General Smith's fleet. It was continue with and follow the movements of this fleet.

By order of Major-General Banks:

GEO. B. DRAKE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

FIELD ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, Numbers 7. Alexandria, La., March 29, 1864.

* * * * *

IV. Colonel Dickey, commanding First Brigade, First Division Corps d'Afrique, will supply himself with ten days rations and five days' forage, and will march this afternoon by the Bayou Rapides road encamping to-night in the immediate vicinity of the pontoon train; he will continue his march, keeping near this train, reporting to Major-General Franklin upon reaching his column.

* * * * *

By command of Major-General Banks:

GEO. B. DRAKE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
Alexandria, March 29, 1864.

Major General WILLIAM B. FRANKLIN,

Commanding Nineteenth and detach. Thirteenth Army Corps.

GENERAL: I have just been informed that General Taylor has detached a body of troops, 400 strong, to come back to Came River and watch the ferry. I have also been informed that the river at that point is not more than 70 yards wide, and can be easily trestle.

Very respectfully, general, your obedient servant,

CHAS. P. STONE,

Brigadier-General, Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS U. S. TROOPS, WESTERN LOUISIANA,
Cane River, March 29, 1864.

Brigadier General C. P. STONE,

Chief of Staff, Department of the gulf.

GENERAL: I have received your dispatch of yesterday and today. I arrived here this morning about 11, but the road being full of cavalry, the infantry only reached here at sundown-its advance, I mean. The infantry pioneers were sent forward at 1 a. m. to build a brigade. The pontoons, by great exertion, may be here by 12 m. to-morrow, and it is my opinion that the pontoon bridge will be more available than the other, even if the latter be finished as soon,

49 R R-VOL XXXIV, PT II