HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, Simsport, Maya 20, 1864.

Brigadier General R. ARNOLD,
Chief of Cavalry:

GENERAL: The commanding general directs that you keep your cavalry in camp below the bridge-that is, in the opposite direction from the bridge from these headquarters.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. B. DRAKE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF LITTLE ROCK, Little Rock, Ark., May 20, 1864.

Colonel GEIGER,
Commanding, Devall's Bluff:

The brigadier-general commanding directs that [you] permit persons to pass outside the lines who are now at your post and reside outside until to-morrow night, on proper passes, after which time no one will be permitted to pass out except on business for the army. Pesons coming to the pickets will be brought in and detained.

C. H. DYER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

DEVALL'S BLUFF, May 20, 1864.

Captain C. H. DYER,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

My scouts have just returned from Arkansas Post. They encamped there night before last. They chased two small parties of the enemy, of about 20 each, except whom they could hear of no enemy. There were 15 of Shelby's men crossed the Arkansas at the Post the night before they reached there.

Respectfully,

W. F. GEIGER,

Colonel, Commanding Post.

BROWNSVILLE, May 20, 1864.

Colonel W. F. GEIGER,

Commanding, Devall's Bluff:

Have received your dispatch that your pickets are attacked. Do you want help? Does the enemy how in force? I sent a small train from here half an hour ago, with 100 men, to see what was the matter. If you want help, I must have one of the two trains back. If your picket affair is a trifle, send the train with the rations immediately. captain Carr's orders have been given under a misunderstanding, and I take the responsibility of ordering the train here.

J. R. WEST,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.