district. Prompt communication must be kept up between the outer pickets and main bodies, and the main bodies at Bonnet Carré and Hermitage Plantation, but must keep pickets well thrown out. W. D. SMITH, Lieutenant-Colonel and Acting Assistant Inspector-General. THIBODEAUX, April 6, 1865. Col. SIMON JONES, Brashear City: Whitaker's gang was overtaken and scattered on Tuesday last near head of Lake Verret. They are expected to escape by way of Bayou Long. You will send the steamer Cornie with fifty men from your command into Flat Lake this evening, for the purpose of watching the mouth of Bayou Long. The men will take three days' rations and remain near the mouth of Bayou Long until the morning of the 8th. By command of Brigadier-General Cameron: Colonel SAYLES, Napoleonville: B. B. CAMPBELL, Assistant Adjutant-General. THIBODEAUX, April 6, 1865. You will send Major Davis at daylight to-morrow (Friday) morning with 125 mounted men, five days' rations, and such forage as they can carry to Doctor Ford's Landing, on Grand Bayou. From that point Major Davis will proceed with seventy-five dismounted men, cross Grand Bayou, and scour the country between Grand Bayou and Grand River, for the purpose of hunting out and capturing the remainder of Whitaker's gang, scattered in the engagement of Tuesday. The men left in charge of the horses at Ford's Crossing will be instructed to keep themselves well picketed to prevent surprise or disaster. Major Davis will communicate, if possible, with Lieutenant-Colonel Rice, in command of the expedition which left Bayou Bœuf in small boats on Tuesday last. He will forward a written report on his return. By command of Brigadier-General Cameron: B. B. CAMPBELL, Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General. SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF ARKANSAS, Little Rock, Ark., April 6, 1865. I. The major-general commanding commends the gallant act of Capt. B. C. Custard, One hundred and twelfth U. S. Colored Infantry, and nineteen soldiers (colored) under his command, for their bravery on the 2d instant, in defending the train of cars, thrown from the track in consequence of removal of rails, against a company of rebel bushwhackers nearly double their number, under a leader signing himself M. F. Maybery to demand for surrender, after being repulsed. Occasion is taken to remind officers in charge of guards on trains or boats that they will refuse, as in this case, any demand for surrender. Government property will be defended to the last extremity. Fred. Taylor, private, Twelfth Michigan Infantry, dispatch bearer, who is noticed in the official report of the action as having "ran off and secreted himself in the grass on the prairie, throwing away his saber, and after the affair was over returning to the train and recovering his saber and dispatches," is entitled to all the notoriety he is likely to incur at the bands of his fellow-soldiers for this disgraceful conduct. * By command of Maj. Gen. J. J. Reynolds: Major-General DODGE: JOHN LEVERING, Assistant Adjutant-General. FORT SMITH, April 6, 1865—5 p. m. My scout returned yesterday from Red River. The enemy are conscripting in all the counties south, and are concentrating at Washington, shoeing their horses, and preparing to move, but in what direction could not learn. A cavalry force was understood to be moving toward this place, and several small parties have already made their appearance. Yesterday morning twenty mounted rebels came within two miles of Van Buren and stole some property. I sent out eight men, who overtook them seven miles from town, killed two of them and captured nine horses. From papers found on their bodies they were from Red River and on their way to Missouri. Will report as often as I have news of importance. Arkansas River very high; boats running to Fort Gibson. CYRUS BUSSEY, HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI, Order the engineers on north route to report to General Connor, and submit their plans to him before any change is made in the posts. Telegraph them. G. M. DODGE, GENERAL ORDERS, Į HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI, No. 94. Saint Louis, Mo., April 6, 1865. The practice of officers and soldiers visiting citizens' houses and forcing them to furnish them meals must be stopped. Hereafter citizens are requested to report to these headquarters the names of any officer or soldier ordering them to furnish meals for themselves or commands without proper compensation therefor, when they will be immediately arrested and punished. By command of Major-General Dodge: J. W. BARNES, Assistant Adjutant-General. Maj. G. W. KELLY, Sedalia : WARRENSBURG, April 6, 1865. Seven well-armed bushwhackers were at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon nine miles southeast of Knobnoster. They are undoubtedly mak ing for Cole Camp. Can't you send twelve or fifteen men after them? C. G. LAURANT, Assistant Adjutant-General. Brigadier-General FISK: MEXICO, April 6, 1865. Lieutenant McIlwrath, Company D, Ninth Cavalry Missouri State Militia, reports that a scout sent out by him on the night of the 3d on the morning of the 4th ran into their camp, when the guerrillas, being warned by the noise of their own horses, escaped in the brush, leaving as trophies one shotgun, one carbine, two revolvers, four horses and equipments, boots, coats, &c. DAN. M. DRAPER, HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI, Order Fifteenth Kansas to report to Major-General Reynolds at Little Rock, marching overland via Fort Smith. The balance of Third Wisconsin is on way to replace them. The horses being brought serve to mount Third Wisconsin. Major-General DODGE: . G. M. DODGE, FORT SCOTT, April 6, 1865-7.10 p.m. Shall I send away the Fifteenth Kansas before the arrival of the Third Wisconsin?___ If I do it will leave me destitute of troops to protect the border. The Wisconsin infantry have not yet reported in my district. JAS. G. BLUNT, HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI, Colonel POTTER, Chief Quartermaster, Fort Leavenworth: General Connor reports that forage is consumed at Julesburg and Fort Laramie as fast as it arrives; that no supplies are ahead. G. M. DODGE, HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI, Brig. Gen. P. E. CONNOR, Denver: The commanding officer of Sixteenth Kansas Cavalry should be brought to account for his delay. It is near two months since he left Fort Leavenworth, time enough to walk to Kearny and return twice. G. M. DODGE, Major-General. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI, Brigadier-General CONNOR, Denver: I have ordered the engineers on plains from my headquarters to report to you for approval of their plans. In selecting post at Julesburg, which I think must be an important depot, great care should be had that the right plan is selected; also give instructions at Cottonwood about that post as you deem best. I think an order has been reissued to move the stage station. I do not know as it is necessary; you have been there and are the judge. How are you off for supplies? Don't let us get behindhand. G. M. DODGE, HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI, Brig. Gen. P. E. CONNOR, Denver: You must divide up your command to the best advantage of the service. I have preference in the matter. Bvt. Brig. Gen. Guy Henry has been ordered to report to you. G. M. DODGE, OPPOSITE DONALDSONVILLE, April 7, 1865. Lieut. Col. W. D. SMITH, Acting Assistant Inspector-General: (Received 12.30 p. m.) My scouting parties have just come in. One met a detachment of Eighteenth New York Cavalry at College Point. No enemy were seen by either of the parties. C. H. PARKHURST, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Third Rhode Island Cavalry. BONNET CARRÉ, April 7, 1865. (Received 1.15 p. m.) Lieut. Col. W. D. SMITH, Acting Assistant Inspector-General: Have just heard from Lieutenant-Colonel Parkhurst. I can learn of no enemy anywhere in district and no indications of any except that what appeared to be signal rockets were sent up, three in the direction of Maurepas and two in that of Pontchartrain, and plainly seen by myself and several others at this post at about 2 o'clock this morning. JOHN TRACEY, JR., Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding. BONNET CARRÉ, April 7, 1865. (Received 7.10 p. m.) Lieut. Col. W. D. SMITH, Acting Assistant Inspector-General: Commanding officer at Pass Manchac telegraphs to expect Lucks. with thirty men to-night. Will look out for him. Nothing new except a few shots in direction of Pass Manchac early this morning. not yet discovered cause. Have J. TRACEY, JR., Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF MORGANZA, Brig. Gen. CYRUS HAMLIN, Commanding District of Port Hudson, Port Hudson, La.: GENERAL: I am advised by the major-general commanding the Northern Division of Louisiana that the Fifty-fifth U. S. Colored Infantry and some cavalry from your command are to be held subject to my call. The high water here and danger of a crevasse may cause a delay on my part of three or four days. I will therefore communicate upon the subject again to advise you more definitely and send transportation from this place. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, THO. J. MCKEAN, Brigadier-General, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding District. GENERAL ORDERS, HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, New Orleans, La., April 7, 1865. The resignation of Lieut. Col. George B. Drake, assistant adjutantgeneral, has been accepted by the War Department, to take effect March 23, 1865, on account of health impaired in the public service. In parting with Lieutenant-Colonel Drake the commanding general acknowledges his obligations for his uniformly correct conduct and thorough performance of duty. Capt. J. C. Stone, assistant adjutantgeneral, will take charge of the adjutant-general's office until assignment shall be made by the permanent commander of the Department of the Gulf, or until the action of the Adjutant-General of the Army upon the recommendations of Captain Stone for the appointment to that position is made known. S. A. HURLBUT, Major-General, Commanding. |