FORT MONROE, May 4, 1864.

General W. F. SMITH:

Let steamers leave as fast as loaded.

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

Major-General, Commanding.

FORT MAGRUDER, May 4, 1864.

Major-General SMITH:

I received Colonel Bowen's directions, and everything is going well. The troops have started, but will be halted out of sight of the river in order to distribute ammunition, which is now at Grove Wharf. After 3 o'clock further instructions will find me at Grove Wharf. Should be sent there by orderly direct from Yorktown.

I. J. WISTAR,

Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY DIVISION,
Near Portsmouth, Va., May 4, 1864.

Colonel S. P. SPEAR,

Commanding Second Brigade, Cavalry Division:

COLONEL: The general commanding directs that your command hold itself in readiness to march at daylight to-morrow morning, with three days' rations. No transportation will be permitted, except team mules or horses with pack-saddles. Each regiment will be allowed one ambulance for the transportation of a limited supply of medicines and stores. The men will be equipped as lightly as possible and prepared to carry two days' forage. An officer from each regiment will be left to take charge of dismounted men, and to bring forward extra baggage and wagon transportation, as hereafter directed.

I have the honor, colonel, to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

M. J. ASCH,

Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

NORFOLK, VA., May 4, 1864.

Major-General BUTLER, Fort Monroe:

Rebels reported by Admiral Lee to have thirteen launches, each with howitzer, in Cashie River, 300 men in all. We will take care of the canal.

G. F. SHEPLEY,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA,
New Berne, N. C., May 4, 1864.

Major R. S. DAVIS, Assistant Adjutant-General:

MAJOR: Colonel Wardrop, commanding at Roanoke Island, writes me on the 2nd instant as follows:

As I informed you yesterday, the rebel ram has possession of the sounds, and is now lying in Alligator River. The gun-boats Sassacus and Wyalusing, in addition to the old fleet, viz, the Miami, Whitehead, Ceres, and survey-boat Seymour, are