Distance (about) from-Continued. Miles.

Vicksburg to Boeuf ..................................... 48

Vicksburg to Monroe .................................... 70

Vicksburg to Minden .................................... 130

Vicksburg to Shreveport ................................ 168

I have gathered the following information with regard to the dirt road from Vicksburg: Between Vicksburg and Richmond, low, flat land; roads in dry weather good; four bridges. Between Richmond and Tensas Bayou, low land, subject to overflow; roads in rainy weather almost impassable for teams. Between Tensas Bayou and Ioes Bayou, low lands; about half the distance swampy. Between Ioes Bayou and Bayou Macon, low lands subject to overflow. Between Bayou Macon and Boeuf River, about 4 miles of high lands. Between Boeuf River and Lake La Fourche, about half the distance low land; two bridges, one over a large creek. Between Lake La Fourche and Monroe, about 4 miles of low lands. Between Monroe and Minden, country high, hilly, and sandy. Between Minden and Shreveport, low lands for a short distance beyond Minden, thence high land to Red River bottoms, near Shreveport. I think it probable I may be able to procure more detailed information, and perhaps more reliable; if so, I shall keep you informed.

I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. G. SAWTELLE,

Captain and Asst. Q. M., Chief Q. M., Div. of W. Miss.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. MIL. DIV. OF WEST MISS., Numbers 35.
New Orleans, La., June 11, 1864.

* * * * *

2. Colonel J. Bailey, Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry, will proceed without delay to Vicksburg, Miss., for the purpose of carrying out instructions heretofore issued from these headquarters.

* * * * *

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

DE WITT CLINTON,
Captain and Aide-de-Camp, Actg. Asst. Adjt. General

HDQRS. NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS AND U. S. FORCES,

Morganza, La., June 11, 1864.

Major-General CANBY,

Commanding Division of West Mississippi:

GENERAL: General Birge, who belongs to this corps, and who was directed by Special Orders, Numbers 135, paragraph 9, of May 24, to report here for duty, has not done so. I am informed that he is at Carrollton, possibly on some detached service. His presence here with his command is absolutely necessary, and I have deemed it of sufficient importance to send down a staff officer, with this communication to you, to request that he may be ordered to rejoin his command as speedily as possible.

I have heretofore omitted to call attention to the regular batteries in this command. With Battery C there is no officer. With Battery L there are 2 officers. With Battery F there is 1 officer, and