HEADQUARTERS DEFENSES OF NEW ORLEANS,
June 9, 1863.

Colonel IRWIN;

I send by Captain [Thomas S.] Dennett, assistant quartermaster, copies of telegraphic dispatches sent you this morning.

From these and from the testimony of Lieutenant Francis, who escaped from Franklin, I am quite sure the enemy intend to avail themselves of the present state of things to attack Brashear City. You will know my helpless condition here in regard to troops, and the limited aid I can give.

I have requested Commodore Morris to send a gunboat there. I have received no answer from him; but I am quite sure that the answer will be that he has none to send. Cannot one be detached, if only for a day or two, from the fleet above? It would, in my opinion, if done promptly save the place and divert the attack.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. H. EMORY,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS DEFENSES OF NEW ORLEANS.

June 9, 1863.

Lieutenant-Colonel IRWIN:

Assistant Adjutant-General:

Commodore Morris has promised me to send the Hollyhock gunboat round to Brashear City as soon as he can obtain a pilot.

W. H. EMORY,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS DEFENSES OF NEW ORLEANS,

June 9, 1863.

Lieutenant-Colonel IRWIN:

Assistant Adjutant-General:

COLONEL: Yours received. All quiet at Brashear City. The guns and ammunition have reached there. The Hollyhock left here at 5 o'clock this evening. Nothing from the boats in the Plaquemine.

W. H. EMORY,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

BRASHEAR CITY,

June 9, 1863.

Lieutenant Colonel W. D. SMITH,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General:

I must have by the afternoon train to-day three or four light pieces of some kind. An attack was intended last night, I am sure, and the Confederate officers say they will surely have this place by Saturday. I have a mob, officered by fools, but I have put them into some shape, and, with three or four light pieces, I can show fight well. They are going to attack from the southern side of the city, and it is wholly unprotected. The battery will not help us; they will keep clear of that. There is nothing whatever to hinder their shelling the city, and they have artil-