HEADQUARTERS NORTHERN DIVISION OF LOUISIANA, Maj. Gen. S. A. HURLBUT, Commanding Department of the Gulf: GENERAL: Your telegram of the 30th ultimo* was received same day, and I at once made such arrangements as in my opinion were necessary to prevent any movement of the enemy across the river within the limits of my command. I have seen the naval officers of both divisions with regard to doubling the patrols above the mouth of Red River and placing a gun-boat at Morganza, and have had it so arranged. The water has finally driven us to boats at Morganza, but one regiment is regularly on duty in the fort ready for work, and I think we can without doubt retain our foothold there. The troops will not be as healthy on boats, but that is unavoidable. The quartermaster's, commissary, and ordnance stores have all been removed. I shall be at the mouth of Red River and Morganza at least twice a week and will give personal attention to matters. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, F. J. HERRON, Major-General. CIRCULAR No. 1.] HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES, In obedience to instructions from headquarters District of Morganza the troops of this command in case of attack will be disposed as follows: Battery G, First Indiana Heavy Artillery, will take post in the fort to assist the Eighty-fourth U. S. Colored Infantry in serving the guns. The Fourteenth New York Cavalry (dismounted) and the provost guard will move into the fort and will be posted at the parapet. The Sixty-fifth U. S. Colored Infantry will be placed in the fort at such point to be hereafter designated as will best enable it to support and assist the forces above mentioned. The Sixty-seventh and Ninety-second U. S. Colored Infantry will take post at the levee above and below the fort, respectively. To familiarize the troops with their position as above designated and to enable them to take their posts rapidly and without confusion, they will be drilled in moving to and from their respective stations each day until otherwise directed from district headquarters, commencing to-morrow, 2d instant, at 2 p. m. One gun fired from the fort will be the signal for the troops to commence moving to their positions above mentioned. In case of alarm the troops will take post as before directed without further orders. This circular will not be published to the troops. By command of Col. William H. Dickey: FRANK MOREY, Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. LITTLE ROCK, ARK., April 1, 1865. Major-General POPE, Mouth of White River: Major-General Reynolds left here yesterday (31st) morning for Pine Bluff and mouth of White River upon tour of inspection, taking all the *See Part I, p. 1298. chiefs of staff departments, except myself, with him. He was at Pine Bluff last night, and will no doubt be at mouth of river to-day. This is opportune and accidental, as your dispatch of the 27th has not reached us. Learned yesterday, by rumor, that you were contemplating a visit to this place at an early day. Very respectfully, JOHN LEVERING, Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General. SAINT CHARLES, ARK., April 1, 1865-2.20 a. m. Arrived here with steamer Jenny Brown at 1 o'clock this morning Am directed by General Pope to ask if you have a steamer at Little Rock in which you can come down the Arkansas River? If not, I am to proceed with the Jenny Brown to meet you at Devall's Bluff. Please answer. J. DE WITT CONGDON, Lieutenant and Chief of Artillery. Lieut. J. DE W. CONGDON, LITTLE ROCK, ARK., April 1, 1865. Chief of Artillery, Saint Charles, Ark.: Major-General Reynolds and most of the officers of the departmental staff left here yesterday morning upon steamer Southwester for mouth of White River. Will probably reach there early to-day. I have telegraphed Major-General Pope to that effect. JOHN LEVERING, Assistant Adjutant-General. HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI, Maj. Gen. J. J. REYNOLDS, Commanding Department of Arkansas: GENERAL: I have the honor to forward for your information extracts from Southern papers relating to movements of rebel troops in the Trans-Mississippi Department: From the Amite Wanderer, March 30, 1865: The Montgomery papers say a gentleman just from Richmond, and a Member of Congress, informs us that the Commanderin-Chief has ordered Kirby Smith with his whole army into Missouri. A copy has been furnished General Pope, commanding Military Division of the Missouri. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. JACKSON, Major, Tenth U. S. Colored Heavy Artillery. (In absence of Capt. S. M. Eaton, chief signal officer, Military Division of West Mississippi.) HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF ARKANSAS, Brigadier-General MCGINNIS, Commanding, Mouth of White River: Please inform Major-General Pope that the dispatch of 27th ultimo from Saint Louis is received this morning indicating repair of line between Fort Smith and Saint Louis; also that Major-General Reynolds left Pine Bluff for your post at 5 o'clock this morning. Brooks is reported to have crossed the Arkansas River between Illinois Bayou and Piney with a force of 500 or more men. There are three steamers up the river, two of them at Forts Smith and Gibson, the other supposed to be above Dardanelle, and is safe, no doubt. JOHN LEVERING, Assistant Adjutant-General. HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, SEVENTH ARMY CORPS, Lieut. J. K. WHITSON, Ninth Kansas Cavalry: April 1, 1865. SIR: The brigadier-general commanding directs that you assume charge of the outposts on Lower Surrounded Hill, taking up your quar ters with the picket reserve until further orders. You will lose no time in thoroughly reconnoitering and making yourself familiar with every foot of land guarded and the means and route of approach, making as complete a map of the hill as your facilities will enable, for the information of these headquarters. The commanding general desires you also to make such disposition of the troops sent to report to you as in your judgment seems best to properly guard and protect the hill against the incursions of bushwhackers and horse thieves, constructing with as little delay as possible suitable shelters, block-houses, &c., for the guard as seems to you necessary. For this purpose tools can be obtained of the residents of the neighborhood. The utmost vigilance on the part of all the detail will be required, and under no circumstances must discipline be relaxed. Slight offenses will be corrected and merit rewarded on the spot. You are referred to existing orders concerning the duty on outposts and scouting, and improve every opportunity to impress upon the men the necessity of their observance. You are authorized to pass through the lines and forward to the provost-marshal's office such persons as seek permission and can satisfy you of their loyalty, giving to each individual a written permit, which must be delivered to the provostmarshal here. If at any time you obtain reliable information of the presence of guerrillas, jayhawkers, &c., in your vicinity, and a delay of sufficient time to inform these headquarters would make a search for them useless, you are authorized to detach a portion of the guard to scour the country within a few miles of your lines, always taking every precaution against surprise. The discretion herein authorized must be exercised only in cases that promise almost certain success, and it is preferred that you should accompany and command all such scouts in person, leaving always one officer fully instructed with the guard behind. An occasional visit among the people on the upper hill will enable you to judge with tolerable accuracy to what extent they can be relied upon for information. A close watch will also be kept by you upon the persons employed as well as the principals engaged in grow ing cotton near your lines, and any and all information obtained by you regarding the operations going on within the lines, as well as the move. ments of those outside, will be promptly reported to these headquarters. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, CHAS. E. HOWE, Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF ARKANSAS, Col. A. H. RYAN, It is presumed that you are, advised of movements at Norristown. Reports from there say that the force is Shelby's; but they are doubtless under command of Brooks. Can you send out a reliable scout to learn their strength and object? Their crossing the river indicates a purpose to effect something beyond you, or to concentrate. By command of Maj. Gen. J. J. Reynolds: Colonel RYAN, JOHN LEVERING, Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF ARKANSAS, Commanding, Lewisburg, Ark.: Have you anything further in relation to movements of Brooks? Can he be driven out? Please keep General Bussey advised as to condition of things. He will detain boats at Fort Smith until notified that the river is clear. By command of Maj. Gen. J. J. Reynolds: JOHN LEVERING, Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF ARKANSAS, Brigadier-General BUSSEY, Commanding Fort Smith: As a rebel force is reported to be in vicinity of Norristown, be cautious in dispatching steamers for this place. It will be best to know that the river is clear before taking risk. By command of Maj. Gen. J. J. Reynolds: JOHN LEVERING, Assistant Adjutant-General. FORT SMITH, April 1, 1865. (Received 10.50 p. m.) Major-General POPE, Commanding Military Division of the Missouri: A rebel force has been reported on north side of Arkansas River near Dardanelle, but I am satisfied it amounts to nothing. The forces, with the telegraph operator, evacuated Norristown this a. m., but the telegraph line has not been disturbed, and it is now, 9 p. m., working to Little Rock. No word of Shelby being on the south side. CYRUS BUSSEY, Brigadier-General, Commanding. SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI, 14. The military post at Franklin, Mo., will be abolished and the commanding officer of the post and the troops now stationed there will join their respective regiments. The commanding officer of the artillery camp at Franklin will furnish the necessary details required by the provost-marshal at that point. Three companies of infantry arrived here to-night. They were short of officers and short about thirty men to each company, on detached service. I expected four full companies. No cavalry has reported as yet. General Blunt telegraphs me that he had started what you had ordered, but that they were delayed by high water. If I get the men you ordered to me I think I do not need more. I shall of course act with General Blunt or any other commander in this region. CHESTER HARDING, JR., Colonel. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF SOUTHWEST MISSOURI, Maj. J. W. BARNES, I am informed by General Bussey that 100 Missourians (rebels) crossed the Arkansas near Clarksville on the 28th and came directly north; also that General Shelby is at or near Dardanelle, this afternoon, trying to cross the river. A detachment of my command attacked a squad of fourteen rebels about twenty miles from here on the 29th ultimo, and captured three and several horses. These men were directly from the army, and stated that it would not attempt to cross the Mississippi River at present, and that some portions of the army were being dismounted and others mounted. There are some indications and information that Shelby designs moving into the State at once, and to come to a pass near this place. This latter information comes from a scout of Shelby's, recently in this vicinity. I am moving some troops west and organizing some troops for constant field service, and shall try and force these rebels to fight in this district. My stock is poor. JOHN B. SANBORN, Brigadier-General, Commanding. |