provisions will have to be established at Lake Charles, and also in smaller quantities at intermediate points between Niblett's Bluff and Alexandria. Should Spaight and Nichols start to march from Lake Charles to Alexandria depots of corn will have to be established beforehand. General Hebert must be the judge.

By command of General Smith:

S. S. ANDERSON,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HOUSTON, TEX., May 5, 1864.

Colonel S. S. ANDERSON,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Shreveport:

Dispatch received. Arrangements already made to drive enemy from Calcasieu River. Colonel Griggin attacks in the morning. Enemy's force increased on the peninsula; much larger number of tents; force estimated now by officers there at 5,000 to 6,000. Whole available force between Sabine and Colorado does not much exceed 4,000. Sabine Pass, Galveston, San Luis Pass, Brazos, Caney, &c., to defend. Prisoners expected at Hempstead must be guarded by an efficient force. Order issued for Waul's Legion to move. Hope it will be countermanded. Bradford's and Terry's regiments not yet complete. Terry's fire companies had already been ordered east of the Sabine.

P. O. HEBERT,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS TRANS-MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT,
Shreveport, May 5, 1864.

Captain E. P. TURNER,

A. A. G., C. S. Army, Major-General Magruder's Hdqrs.:

SIR: I have the honor to report that we reached here yesterday. On the 3rd instant, Lieutenant Garza, of Colonel Benavides' regiment, encountered a party of mexicans some 25 miles above Rio Grande city. They were on foot, having left their horses on the other bank. they fled when fired upon. The captain was killed and the party dispersed. A scouting party of the enemy were reported at the Cueras rancho, 18 miles below here, day before yesterday. Some of Lieutenant Garza's detachment passed themselves for Yankees, and were received with much pleasure by a Mexican. He sid the party consisted of some 30 men, and that they would return