HEADQUARTERS DEFENSES OF NEW ORLEANS,
June 22, 1863.

Colonel CAHILL:

The Fifteenth Maine has just arrived, and I will send them to the La Fourche Crossing to support you at once. With this large accession of force, you can drive the enemy where you please. Hold on stoutly, and if the trains are all with you, send them back to bring up this regiment. More are coming.

By command of W. H. Emory, brigadier-general, commanding:

W. D. SMITH,

Lieutenant-Colonel, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEFENSES OF NEW ORLEANS,
June 22, 1863.

Colonel CAHILL:

From the best information I can get, the enemy do not exceed 2,000 men between Plaquemine and the railroad, and eleven pieces of artillery. I appears to me they ought to be easily whipped with the force you have. They are mostly cavalry. I admit they cannot be caught without cavalry.

W. H. EMORY,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS DEFENSES OF NEW ORLEANS,
June 22, 1863.

Colonel CAHILL:

I do not believe the news you send me, but, if true, do exactly as you propose-retire the troops and all the trains to Algiers, leaving the cavalry at Boutte Station, to fall back slowly on the River road. But I do not believe the report is true. I have a telegram from Colonel Stickney at 8 o'clock, where he stated he had repulsed the enemy.

Respectfully,

W. H. EMORY,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS DEFENSES OF NEW ORLEANS,
June 22, 1863.

Lieutenant PETER FRENCH, Aide-de-Camp, Algiers:

Go on and communicate with Colonel Cahill at La Fourche. Tell him to beat the enemy off, if he can; and, if he cannot, to do the best he can. The trains are all at his service. If you see the cavalry as you pass, hurry them forward to Boutte Station.

W. H. EMORY,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS DEFENSES OF NEW ORLEANS,
June 22, 1863.

Lieutenant PETER FRENCH, Aide-de-Camp:

If the cavalry are there, and you can carry them without detention, do it. It was intended they should march by the river. Stickney tele-