Colonel Miles landed near False River and marched inland toward the Fordoche. The enemy immediately retreated to Rosedale and thence toward Indian Village. Colonel Miles has returned.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

FRANK. GARDNER,

Major-General.

JACKSON, MISS., February 28, 1863.

Major General FRANK. GARDNER, Port Hudson:

It is reported, but I have no positive information, that it was not a gunboat which passed Vicksburg on night of 24th. Should you learn certainly that it was not, send all stores for Vicksburg by Big Black.

J. C. PEMBERTON,

Lieutenant-General, Commanding.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. OF TEX., N. MEX., AND ARIZ., No. 88.
Houston, Tex., February 28, 1863.

I. Major-General Magruders being about to leave Houston on a tour of observation and inspection of the defenses of the coast and the western part of the State, all persons in the eastern part of the State having public business with the commanding general are referred to Brigadier General W. R. Scurry, commanding Eastern Sub-District.

* * * * * * * *

III. The whole of the Arizona Brigade will proceed at once to West Bernard, and on arriving at that place the commanding officer of the brigade will report the same to these headquarters.

* * * * * * * *

By command of Major-General Magruder:

E. P. TURNER,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

Abstract from Return of the Third Military District, Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana, Major General Frank. Gardner, C. S. Army, commanding, for month of February, 1863.

Present for duty.

Command. Officers. Men. Aggregate Aggregate

present. present

and

absent.

General 13 ......... 15 16

and staff

Beall's 320 3,728 4,995 6,849

brigade

Gregg's 197 2,490 3,340 4,066

brigade

Maxey's 279 2,438 3,548 4,509

brigade

Troops not 166 2,336 3,674 5,166

brigaded

Total 975 10,992 15,572 20,606