effect. The general commanding expects both of these details to be made immediately, and directs that you send a staff officer to see them executed and to report their execution to these headquarters.

I am, general, &c.,

W. DWIGHT,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
Alexandria, May 6, 1864.

Brigadier-General LAWLER,

Commanding Thirteenth Army Corps:

GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs me to inform you that General Smith has commenced his movement, and that he wishes you to move forward as soon as possible.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. B. DRAKE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Alexandria, La., May 6, 1864.

Brigadier-General DWIGHT,

Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: I received a dispatch from the front, date 11 a.m., of which the following is the substance:

General McCLERNAND:

We are at Middle Bayou, 7 miles from Alexandria. Have 1 man killed in the Forty-ninth Indiana, and a dozen wounded. I have seen no infantry. Have 2 prisoners. We are resting for half an hour and will go forward again.

The above is from Captain Samuel Caldwell, acting assistant adjutant-general.

Very respectfully,

JOHN A. McCLERNAND,

Major-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
Alexandria, May 6, 1864.

Brigadier-General MOWER,

Commanding Division, Sixteenth Corps:

GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs me to inform you that Brigadier-General Lawler is moving on the Bayou Rapides road.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. B. DRAKE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Alexandria, La., May 6, 1864.

Brigadier General RICHARD ARNOLD,

Commanding Cavalry Division:

GENERAL: The commanding general desires you to put all your available cavalry in readiness to move across the river at the shortest notice.

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

GEO. B. DRAKE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.