line than that by which the army marched from Alexandria, and an army operating by this line will possess the great advantages of having its actual base on the Mississippi and its flanks mainly secured by the Red and Washita Rivers, and that of covering by its movements the line of the Arkansas and the frontiers of Missouri. My opinion with regard to these rivers was formed ten years ago, and was the result of an official examination, made with reference to military operations on an infinitely smaller scale than those now contemplated. The character of the rivers has not changed since then, and the reasons why they should not be relied on now are materially the same, but of magnified importance. On my way down the river I directed a quick examination of two of the lines last mentioned to be made, and on my arrival at Vicksburg to-night I expect to learn the present condition of the roads. These routes will [require] no greater force or longer time for preparation than those by the Red River or Washita, and the results will, in my judgment, be infinitely more certain than by either of those rivers.

ED. R. S. CANBY,

Major-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, Numbers 135.
New Orleans, La., May 24, 1864.

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3. The First Battalion, Eighth U. S. Heavy Artillery (colored), Major J. J. Comstock commanding, having been reported at these headquarters on its arrival from Texas, will proceed at once, without disembarking, to Camp Parapet, and on its arrival be disembarked and reported to the commanding officer of that post. The quartermaster's department will furnish the necessary transportation.

4. The detachment of the Ninety-seventh U. S. Infantry (colored), Lieutenant S. M. Halsted commanding, now on board of the U. S. transport Clinton, will proceed with the First Battalion, Eighth U. S. Heavy Artillery (colored), to Camp Parapet, and on its arrival be disembarked and reported to the commanding officer of that post. The quartermaster's department will furnish the necessary transportation.

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6. The Fourteenth New Hampshire Volunteers will form part of the Second Brigade, Second Division, Nineteenth Army Corps. All details from this regiment will be at once relieved and returned to it for duty. The regiment will immediately be prepared for field service, and, so soon as it is ready for the field, will proceed, without delay, to Morganza, and be reported to Brigadier General W. H. Emory, commanding Nineteenth Army Corps, for assignment as above. The quartermaster's department will furnish the necessary transportation.

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8. Landram's division of the Thirteenth Army Corps, and the troops which went to the front under command of Brigadier General Fitz Henry Warren, will proceed without delay to Baton Rouge, under command of General Warren, who will, upon his arrival, assume command of the post and district of Baton Rouge, relieving Brigadier General Henry W. Birge. * * *

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2 R R-VOL XXXIV, PT IV