HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY OUTPOST,
Cedar Bayou, Tex., May 13, 1864.

Lieutenant R. SKINNER,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General:

LIEUTENANT: There men, supposed to be scouts of the enemy were seen on the mainland opposite Oyester Shell Reef yesterday. Some scouts came up from Mustang Island yesterday and report all quiet there and on Saint Joseph's Island.

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

A. C. MATTHEWS,

Major, Commanding.

HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
Vicksburg, Miss., May 13, 1864.

Major General F. STEELE,

Commanding Dept. of Arkansas, Little Rock, Ark:

If the enemy is not in force in your front, organize a command of 6,000 or 8,000 men and have them prepared to move to this place. The orders for the movement, if necessary, will be sent to you from the mouth of Red River. If a large force can safely be spared please advise me at this place.

ED. R. S. CANBY,

Major-General, Commanding.

SPECIAL ORDERS, WAR DEPT., ADJT. GENERAL'S OFFICE, Numbers 176. Washington, May 13, 1864.

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33. By direction of the President in accordance with section 10 of the act approved July 17, 1862, the following officers are hereby assigned to duty with the Seventh Army Corps, with rank and pay of lieutenant-colonel, to date May 12, 1864:

Major William D. Green, assistant adjutant-general of volunteers, to be assistant adjutant-general.

First Lieutenant George O. Sokalski, Second U. S. Cavalry, to be assistant inspector-general.

Captain B. O. Carr, assistant quartermaster of volunteers, to be quartermaster.

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By order of the Secretary of War:

E. D. TOWNSEND,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF ARKANSAS, &C.,

Little Rock, Ark., May 13, 1864.

Captain C. H. DIVER,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

CAPTAIN: Your letter dated May 12 was not received by me until this morning. All details as I understand, will come from your headquarters to the division commanders. It is proposed by General