the river. He marched 2 or 3 miles northwest, then north about 11 miles, then south of east about 14 miles. He found no forage, and heard nothing of the enemy or his operations, except that about 100 men had just passed up the river. His men and animals are fatigued.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

RICHARD ARNOLD,

Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
Alexandria, May 7, 1864.

Major General J. J. REYNOLDS,

Commanding Defenses of New Orleans:

GENERAL: The commanding general desires me to inform you that he intends to move on Simsport at an early moment. Colonel Holabird has been directed to send all the steam-boat transportation and forage possible to the vicinity of that place to meet the army on its arrival. Colonel Beckwith has been directed to send twenty days' rations for 40,000 men. The general wishes me to say that every energy possible should be used to push on the above requirements, as the emergency is pressing.

W. DWIGHT,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.

THIBODEAUX, May 7, 1864.

Major JOHN LEVERING,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

The enemy appear scattered and returning as fast as possible, some apparently by way of Grand Bayou, others by Lake Verret. I have sent nearly all my cavalry out in pursuit and directed a gun-boat to Lake Verret. I hope to catch some of them.

N. W. DAY,

Colonel, Commanding District.

WASHINGTON, D. C., May 7, 1864-9.30 p.m.

Brigadier General R. ALLEN,

Louisville, Ky.:

If General Steele has abandoned Camden, of course supplies will not be sent by the Washita, but to him directly on the Arkansas.

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General, Chief of Staff.

LITTLE ROCK, May 7, 1864.

Colonel POWELL CLAYTON,

Commanding, Pine Bluff:

A number of flat-boats and skiffs were cut loose in the river within our lines and below, between here and Pine Bluff; supposed to have been the work of some rebel agent or agents, with the intention