enemy that have for their object the obstruction of the navigation of White River, or the interruption of General Steele's communications with the Mississippi. Please advise bearers of dispatches or other persons having charge that all official communications from the Department of Arkansas for Major- General Sherman of for me be forwarded to the care of the commanding officer at Vicksburg, Miss.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

ED. R. S. CANBY,

Major-General, Commanding.

SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS . MIL. DIV. OF WEST MISSISSIPPI, Numbers 1. On board Dispatch Str. Wilson, May 12, 1864.

1. Major General C. C. Washburn, commanding District of West Tennessee, is charged with the duty of keeping open the communication with Major-General Steele's command in the Department of Arkansas, and is authorized to employ for this purpose, any part of the force now stationed or that may hereafter be stationed, at Columbus, Ky., Memphis, Tenn., or Helena, Ark.

2. All troops belonging to the division of Brigadier General A. J. Smith will be sent as soon as possible to the headquarters of that division, at Alexandria, La., reporting at Vicksburg, Miss., for orders before proceeding below that point.

By order of Major General E. R. S. Canby:

T. C. CHRISTENSEN,
Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. MIL. DIV. OF WEST MISSISSIPPI, Numbers 2. On board Dispatch Str. Wilson, May 12, 1864.

1. All transports containing troops or supplies for the month of White River will report at Vicksburg before proceeding below that point.

By order of Major General E. R. S. Canby:

C. T. CHRISTENSEN,

Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. MIL. DIV. OF WEST MISSISSIPPI, Numbers 3. On board Dispatch Str. Wilson, May 12, 1864.

The transportation belonging to the division of Brigadier General A. J. Smith will be sent, as soon as possible, to Alexandria, La., reporting at Vicksburg, Miss., before proceeding farther.

By order of Major General E. R. S. Canby:

C. T. CHRISTENSEN,
Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. MIL DIV. OF WEST MISSISSIPPI, Numbers 5. On board Dispatch Str. Wilson, May 12, 1864.

* * * *

2. Major General C. D. Washburn, commanding District of West Tennessee, will detach a command of 200 men for temporary service at the month of White River. The commanding officer will be