WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington, April 18, 1864 - 2.30 p. m.

General BRAYMAN,

Commanding at Cairo:

What is the date of the latest news you have from General Banks' expedition up the Red River, and what is its purport? Answer in cipher.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

CAIRO, ILL., April 18, 1864.

(Received 10.40 p. m.)

Honorable E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

General A. J. Smith, of the Sixteenth Army Corps, was within 30 miles of Shreveport at last accounts. General Banks' expedition had not overtaken Smith. General Sherman has sent for Smith to return immediately and go up the Tennessee. I presume he is overtaken by the messenger. I will report as soon as I hear about General Banks' force.

M. BRAYMAN,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

FIELD ORDERS, HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, Numbers 23.
Grand Ecore, La., April 18, 1864.

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3. Brigadier General A. L. Lee, U. S. Volunteers, is hereby relieved from command of the Cavalry Division and will proceed forthwith to assume charge of the cavalry depot in New Orleans for the purpose of reorganizing the cavalry of the department.

4. Colonel N. A. M. Dudley, Thirtieth Massachusetts Volunteers, is hereby relieved from the command of the Fourth Brigade, Cavalry Division, and will report to Brigadier General A. L. Lee, U. S. Volunteers, for duty at the cavalry depot, New Orleans, in the reorganization of the cavalry of the department.

5. Colonel E. J. Davis, First Texas Cavalry, will at once assume command of the Fourth Brigade, Cavalry Division, now commanded by Colonel N. A. M. Dudley, Thirtieth Massachusetts Volunteers.

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8. Brigadier General R. Arnold, U. S. Volunteers, is hereby assigned temporarily to the command of all the cavalry with the army in the field. He will report to Major-General Franklin, commanding Nineteenth and detachment of Thirteenth Army Corps.

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By command of Major-General Banks:

GEO. B. DRAKE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.