NATCHITOCHES, LA., April 6, 1864 - 10.10 a. m.

(Received 11 a. m., 6th.)

Brigadier General C. P. STONE, Chief of Staff, Dept. of the Gulf:

GENERAL: I have received your note of this morning concerning wagons for General Smith's ammunition. I have in my ammunition train 200 rounds per man of my command, of calibers .577 and .58. I understand that General Smiths' calibers are the same. The trains are all on the road now, and I presume that, as all are loaded with ammunition and provisions and the ammunition of the very kind that is required, this may make some change in the order of the commanding general. Should, however, it be still considered advisable the wagons will be unloaded at once and sent back.

Very respectfully, yours,

W. B. FRANKLIN,

Major-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
Grand Ecore, April 6, 1864.

Major General W. B. FRANKLIN, Natchitoches:

GENERAL: It will not be well to unload wagons to send back to General Smith, but you will have to be prepared to divide ammunition with General Smith, who will have about 7,000 men, of infantry.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

CHAS. P. STONE,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.

CIRCULAR.] HDQRS. U. S. FORCES IN WESTERN LOUISIANA.

Bayou Dupont, April 6, 1864.

The order of march to-morrow will be as follows:

First. General Ransom's division, with reserve artillery. Second. Ammunition train, guarded by a regiment detailed by General Ransom. Third. General Emory's division. Fourth. General Ransom's train, including all his wagons, guarded by such force as he shall consider sufficient. Fifth. General Emory's train, including all his wagons, guarded by such force as he shall consider sufficient. Sixth. Colonel Robinson's command, Engineers, Corps d'Afrique. Seventh. Colonel Dickey's command, First Brigade, Corps d'Afrique. Eighth. Colonel Gooding's command, Fifth Brigade, Cavalry Division. General Ransom will march at 5.30 o'clock a. m.

By order of Major-General Franklin:

WICKHAM HOFFMAN,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
Grand Ecore, April 6, 1864.

Major General WILLIAM B. FRANKLIN,

Commanding Nineteenth Army Corps, &c., Natchintoches:

GENERAL: All General Smith's infantry with exception of one division will disembark to-day and follow your march to-morrow morning. His artillery also marches.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

CHAS. P. STONE,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.