[First indorsement.]

ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERAL'S OFFICE, July 21, 1864.

Respectfully submitted to the Secretary of War.

H. L. CLAY,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Second indorsement.]

JULY 23, 1864.

ORDNANCE BUREAU:

Could the guns, &c., be furnished? They would probably be very serviceable.

J. A. S.,

Secretary.

[THIRD indorsement.]

AUGUST 2, 1864.

Respectfully returned to Colonel Gorgas.

Twenty-pounder Parrotts can be supplies from here in the course of a few weeks. There are four 20-pounder Parrotts and one Whitworth gun at Mobile.

J. WILLCOX BROWN,

Captain and Assistant Inspector of Ordnance.

[Fourth indorsement.]

AUGUST 2, 1864.

Secretary of War for notice of above indorsement.

The arms for sharpshooters have been sent already--about a dozen.

J. GORGAS.

[Fifth indorsement.]

AUGUST 4, 1864.

ADJUTANT-GENERAL:

Refer for the information of the general commanding MISSISSIPPI Department.

J. A. S.,

Secretary.

[Sixth indorsement.]

ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERAL'S OFFICE, August 10, 1864.

Respectfully returned to Major-General Maury.

See indorsements of Ordnance Department and the Secretary of War. By command of Secretary of War:

H. L. CLAY,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Inclosure.]

NEAR MISSISSIPPI RIVER, THIRTY MILES WEST OF CLINTON, LA., June 15, 1864.

General S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond:

(Through Major General S. D. Lee, Meridian, Miss.)

GENERAL; I venture to make a few suggestions which may have some effect in facilitating the transit of the MISSISSIPPI River.