You are directed to take position to repel any attack of the enemy. The force here will be ready to support you in case you meet any considerable force of the enemy. Your pickets should connect with those already established.

I am, general, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM DWIGHT,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.

P. S. - You will please keep these headquarters fully informed of the condition, force, and movements of the enemy in your front on your march and after you assume position.

Respectfully,

W. DWIGHT,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.

SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. DETACH. 16TH AND 17TH A. C., Numbers 26.
On Steamer Clara Bell, April 20, 1864.

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The troops of this command will march at 12 m. to-day on the road to Natchitoches, La., in the following order:

First. Brigadier General T. K. Smith's division, Seventeenth Army Corps. Second. Brigadier General J. A. Mower's First and Third Divisions, Sixteenth Army Corps.

The wagons will move in the rear of their respective divisions.

By order of Brigadier General A. J. Smith:

J. HOUGH,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. DEPT. OF ARKANSAS, & C., Numbers 80.
Little Rock, Ark., April 20, 1864.

* * * * * * *

VIII. Brigadier General Joseph R. West, U. S. Volunteers, will report to Brigadier General N. Kimball, commanding troops, & c., for assignment to the command of the forces* to be sent from Little Rock to Camden, Ark., with train and supplies.

* * * * * * *

By order of Major General F. Steele:

W. D. GREEN,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

LITTLE ROCK, April 20, 1864.

Colonel POWELL CLAYTON,

Commanding, Pine Bluff:

Dispatches from General Steele, dated Camden, 18th, state he had a severe skirmish on last Thursday and Friday at Prairie D'Ane, in which he drove the rebels. Price commanded in person. They

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* The Sixty-second and One hundred and sixth Illinois and Twelfth Michigan Regiments and the Fifth and Eleventh Ohio Batteries.

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