Battery No. 12: One 6-pounder gun; carriage good; implements and appendages complete. Battery No. 13: One 6-pounder gun; carriage good; wanting one key chain for worm; implements complete. Battery No. 14: One 6-pounder gun; carriage old but serviceable; wanting one sponge chain and one rammer staff; implements complete. Battery No. 15: One 20-pounder Parrott; carriage good; implements and appendages complete. One 6-pounder gun; carriage good; wanting prolonge hooks and sponge chain; implements complete. Battery No. 16 One 12-pounder howitzer; carriage good; wanting one rammer staff, one key chain and key; implements complete. One 24-pounder howitzer; carriage good; wanting one sponge staff; sponge chain needs repair; implements complete. Battery No. 17: One 24-pounder howitzer; carriage good; wanting one sponge staff and one pendulum hausse; sponge chain needs repair; implements complete. One 12-pounder howitzer; carriage good; implements and appendages complete. Battery No. 18: One 24-pounder howitzer; carriage good; wanting one sponge staff and pendulum hausse; one key chain and key in want of repair; implements complete. One 6-pounder gun; carriage good; ímpléments and appendages complete. All the above carriages are in want of paint. W. S TRASK, Lieutenant, Acting Ordnance Officer. HDQRS. U. S. FORCES ON THE RIO GRANDE, Brig. Gen. CHARLES P. STONE, Chief of Staff: GENERAL: An English man-of-war has arrived off the mouth of the Rio Grande, direct from Vera Cruz, and reports a French expedition fitting out at that place for Matamoras. They say the fleet will be at the mouth of the river in ten days. I will get any further information in regard to the matter that can be had and forward to you. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, F. J. HERRON, HDQRS. FOURTH ARKANSAS MOUNTED INFY. VOLS., Captain FILLEBROWN, Assistant Adjutant-General: SIR: The detail sent out from this regiment to protect Mr. G. W. Arden returned a few moments ago without casualty. They proceeded to his residence, and finding all quiet there moved over cautiously to where the gang were to concentrate before they made the 7 RR-VOL XXXIV, PT II attack. Here they arrested a notorious character named Bob Porter, and had hardly had him secured when 2 horsemen came dashing up toward the house. Fired into them, wounding both, but only getting one, who subsequently proved to be a man by the name of Lloyd, an armless man that was lately residing in this city. The other was a Captain Wood, who received two shots, one in side and the other in the face. He reeled and staggered in his saddle and his horse ran away with him. Think it altogether probable that his wounds will prove fatal. Armless Lloyd received one shot on the chin and the other in the leg, both rather slight, and he will recover. He could not ride and we were compelled to leave him at the first house, Mrs. Porter's, with instructions to report to provost-marshal by Tuesday next, to which he promised a faithful compliance. I have since learned that his wife is in the neighborhood (at Mrs. Carmon's, I believe), and it's my impression that he will not report. This affair took place about midnight. Lloyd urged that he was just asked to take a ride with the captain, "and was no bushwhacker at all." I suppose he accompanied the others for a portion of the anticipated spoils. When fired into they both exclaimed, "My God, you are firing into your own friends." I think Lloyd repeated this twice. The citizens that I questioned on the road, together with Bob Porter, unite in saying that he is frequently with guerrilla bands. He had on a full-dress Confederate uniform under a faded army (Federal) coat. Wood had on a Federal cavalry coat. We then rode around the country in quest of some rebel soldiers that were reported near the residence of Bob Childers, but failed to find them. Early this morning, unfortunately, Bob Porter succeeded in eluding the vigilance of the guard and made good his escape, much to our regret. The sentry stationed over him was verdant and allowed him more privileges than was ordered. He is a sharp, desperate character, and I very much regret his escape. I could not learn anything specific in regard to the whereabouts of the enemy. Porter stated that they were all to concentrate at Clinton, 60 miles from the post. Killingsworth, second lieutenant, Captain West's company, is reported near Buck Horn with about 20 men. The above I got mostly from Porter, but I have heard it confirmed since by a member of Lieutenant Wallard's company of this regiment, just returned from the enemy. Porter thinks there will be about 1,000 there (Clinton) on Wednesday next. Got Lloyd's horse and Porter's, with one good saddle; no arms. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, MARTIN BEEM, Actg. Adjt. Fourth Arkansas Mounted Infy. Vols. [Indorsement.] R. R. LIVINGSTON.] Where is Clinton? Answer. About 45 miles south of west of Batesville; country east of Van Buren County, Ark. Respectfully, MARTIN BEEM, Acting Adjutant Fourth Arkansas. HDQRS. DISTRICT OF NORTHEASTERN ARKANSAS, Capt. A. B. KAUFFMAN, Comdg. Detach. Eleventh Missouri Cavalry: CAPTAIN: I sent 160 men this morning to cross Black River 2 miles below Powhatan and move rapidly down east side of Black River to surprise McRae at Jacksonport, where I was informed there were about 100 of the enemy. Since then I have reliable information that he has 300 armed men and I now send you with 150 men to re-enforce the 160 sent this morning under Capt. T. J. Majors, which you will do by making a forced march until you join him, using the very utmost diligence and speed which your horses can bear without disabling them for a fight. You will take the Powhatan road, and the two guides furnished. you will conduct you safely to Captain Majors' command. On arriving report to the captain commanding the expedition, and deliver him the letter I gave you as quickly as possible. The success of this expedition depends on your good judgment and the rapidity with which you join Captain Majors' command. Bear this in mind, and feel that I rely on your energy for a successful termination of the plan laid to capture McRae. Wishing you success, I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. R. LIVINGSTON, Colonel First Nebraska Cavalry, Comdg. District. HDQRS. DISTRICT OF NORTHEASTERN ARKANSAS, Capt. T. J. MAJORS, Batesville, Ark., January 17, 1864. Comdg. Battalion, First Nebraska Cavalry: CAPTAIN: I have this moment learned that McRae is at Jacksonport with 250 armed men; that 40 of his men are at Elgin and 60 on the road from Jacksonport to Village Creek. I send you 150 men under Captain Kauffman to re-enforce you, which will make your force 310 strong; with this you will move with all possible dispatch and secrecy toward Jacksonport, avoiding Elgin, and occupy all the roads leading out of Jacksonport, which once done dash into the town and capture the whole force. Kill every man who wears a Federal uniform in arms; be sure to get McRae. You will extend all the privileges of prisoners of war to such officers and men of the Confederate army captured, but be sure that none escape. Remain at Jacksonport with your battalion until Thompson gets by with his boat, but send Kauffman's command back as soon as possible. Should you capture many prisoners send part of them through with Captain Kauffman, so as to decrease your duties guarding the balance. Be specially cautious to avoid surprise in return should many of the enemy escape, and in the event that circumstances which I do not foresee should arise, exercise your own good judgment in using the forces placed under your command. For your information I would state that it is reported that Colonel Adams has 300 men near Canton, west of Powhatan. Should you not find him at Jacksonport, it will be fair to infer that he is near Canton, and that the report of his having joined McRae is false; in that case you can strike him on your way back, provided you are not encumbered with prisoners or wounded. Wishing you every success and feeling sure you will make your mark, if you get a chance, and relying on your prudence to reach Jacksonport without McRae knowing it, `I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. R. LIVINGSTON, Colonel First Nebraska Cavalry, Commanding District. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF CENTRAL MISSOURI, Maj. O. D. GREENE, Assistant Adjutant-General, Saint Louis, Mo.: MAJOR: Your telegram referring to a communication over my signature has been received. Anticipating the occupation of the border counties, I wrote a note to the General Assembly that was published in the Saint Louis papers. The consideration of the subject was referred to a special committee and a bill will be reported. As the action of the General Assembly will in no manner interfere with the military authorities, and as they have already taken the steps to legislate on the subject, I do not see how I can interfere to stop further proceedings. Upon a more careful reading of Special Orders, No. 8, I see that I misconstrued its intention and will act accordingly. I am, very truly, your obedient servant, É. B. BROWN, Brigadier-General of Volunteers, Commanding. Major-General POPE, Milwaukee: JANUARY 17, 1864. GENERAL: Your letter of the 12th instant in regard to the Sioux Indians in British territory is received, and will be submitted to the Secretary of War for the consideration of the President. Probably the matter will be made the subject of a communication to Lord Lyons. In one of your former dispatches, you spoke of fitting out an expedition in the spring against the Indians in the Territories of Dakota and Idaho. I think it would be well for you to submit your plans more fully, in order that they may be laid before the President and Secretary of War, and the proper instructions given to the heads of the bureaus for supplies, &c. Please state what troops you propose to send into the Indian country, what supplies that cannot be obtained in your department you will require, where they should be sent, at what time, &c. I presume it will be necessary to collect at least a part of them during the winter. As you may wish to wait for further developments before deciding definitely upon your plans, I do not ask for an immediate reply. Keep the subject in mind and give us as early and full information as you can. As the demands of the principal armies in the field for re-enforcement are very pressing, these proposed Indian expeditions should be made as small as possible. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, HDQRS. DIST. OF MINN., DEPT. OF THE NORTHWEST, Mr. A. FARIBAULT: DEAR SIR: From recent information at these headquarters received, it appears that Tah-naf-soo-o-tah and Wah-she-chou-wilkoue-i-dan, two of the lower Sioux who were principally engaged in the massacres of 1862, were about Faribault for some months during the last summer and fall. If so, Taopee and other of the friendly Indians must have known of their presence, and should have given the necessary information to the military authorities, that they might be apprehended. I will be obliged to you if you will make diligent inquiry into the facts of the case, as it is requisite I should know if any of the Indians supposed to be friendly, and enjoying the protection of the whites at or near Faribault, have so far forgotten their obligations of good faith as to conceal hostile and criminal Indians who have ventured to appear among them. A prompt investigation and reply will be thankfully acknowledged. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. H. SIBLEY, Brigadier-General, Commanding. BATON ROUGE, LA., January 18, 1864-9 a. m. Brigadier-General STONE, Chief of Staff: Believed to be about 20 I learn that some bodies of rebel troops have moved from points on the railroad to quarters near Newtown. miles north of Clinton. P. ST. GEO. COOKE, Brigadier-General, Commanding Post. GENERAL ORDERS, HDQRS. 19TH A. C. AND U. S. FORCES, No. 5. Franklin, La., January 18, 1864. During the absence of Maj. W. Hoffman, assistant adjutant-general, Nineteenth Army Corps, Captain Speed, assistant adjutantgeneral, First Division, Nineteenth Army Corps, will act as assistant adjutant-general of the corps and U. S. forces in the field, Franklin, La., and will be obeyed and respected accordingly. By order of Brigadier-General Emory: WICKHAM HOFFMAN, HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES IN TEXAS, Maj. Gen. E. O. C. ORD, Commanding Thirteenth Army Corps, New Orleans: I wrote you a hurried unofficial note by Major Seward yesterday, and since then nothing of interest has transpired here. This is the sixth day since my arrival here, and my time has been mostly occupied in reconnoitering. I spent one day at Indianola, where all of the First Division now in Texas is concentrated, and |