to examine thoroughly the crossings of Fish River, and ascertain condition of roads and such information of the enemy as may be practicable. General Benton's engineer will accompany the scouts.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

F. W. EMERY,

Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. SEPARATE CAVALRY BRIGADE, No. 18. Carrollton, La., March 7, 1865.

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V. The commanding officer the Thirty-first Massachusetts (mounted) Infantry will move with his command remaining at Carrollton (including recruits) from his present camp at 7 a.m. 8th instant, with all transportation, baggage, &c., pertaining to his regiment, as allowed by existing orders, and with three days' cooked rations and forage, to Hickox Landing, when he will proceed to embark for Pensacola, Fla., on board steamer assigned to him upon reaching that point.

VI. Upon arriving at Pensacola he will report to Colonel M. H. Chrysler, Second New York Cavalry, who will designate to him a place for a camp.

VII. The commanding officer of the Second Illinois Cavalry will cause 250 men and horses of his command to proceed to Hickox Landing at 7 a.m. 8th instant, with three days' cooked rations and forage, there to embark on steamers which will be assigned to receive them for Pensacola, Fla.

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By command of Brigadier-General Lucas:

E. V. HITCH,
Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,

OFFICE OF PROVOST-MARSHAL-GENERAL,

New Orleans, March 7, 1865.

Major-General HURLBUT,

Commanding Department:

GENERAL: I have this day received the following information from Mobile relative to movements of the enemy, from party who has given information before which proved reliable: Lieutenant General Dick Taylor is in command of Department of East Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. There are about 40,000 men in his command. General Forrest commands all the cavalry. Has closed the line and issued orders to shoot any person attempting to pass without order to pass from himself. General S. D. Lee is at Tupelo with one army corps. Two army corps have been sent to Selma (Hardee's old corps, Hindman supposed to be in command, and Stewart's corps). General Frank Gardner has been relieved and is to tried by court-martial of drunkenness. General Martin commands his department. General Maury is in command of Mobile. The city is to be defended to last extremity, but if compelled to fall back, stores and all cotton to be burned. General A. P. Hill has been sent from Virginia with his corps to stop General Sherman, who they think is going to Wilmington. A force about 5,000 men are at Pollard (some fifteen miles from Pensacola). General Dick Taylor