[Indorsement.]

Telegraph to General Cameron to give the engineers all the assistance possible, with the view of completing the works at Brashear at once. Operations there on this work are too slow.

T. W. SHERMAN].

NEW ORLEANS, February 1, 1865--4 p. m.

(Received 5th.)

Major General C. C. WASHBURN,

Commanding, Vicksburg:

The commanding officer of the forces now on their way from Major-General Thomas will when he arrives off Vicksburg be instructed to disembark at that place and to be immediately prepared for active operations in the field, moving as light as possible. Please give him all necessary facilities.

E. R. S. CANBY.

[Indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF VICKSBURG,
Vicksburg, Miss., February 13, 1865.

Respectfully referred to commanding officer of the troops from General Thomas' army for his information, who will after perusal please return (sealed) to these headquarters.

By order of Brigadier General M. L. Smith:

A. C. FISK,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
New Orleans, La., February 1, 1865.

Major General J. J. REYNOLDS,

Commanding Department of Arkansas, Little Rock, Ark.:

SIR: The major-general commanding directs that the Fifty-third and Sixty-sixth Colored Infantry, according to last report stationed at Saint Charles, Ark., be relieved from duty there, and returned as soon as possible to the District of Vicksburg, if they have not already been so relieved.

Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,

C. T. CHRISTENSEN,

Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General.

ENGINEER'S OFFICE, HDQRS. DEPT. OF ARKANSAS,

Little Rock, Ark., February 1, 1865.

Major General J. J. REYNOLDS,

Commanding Department of Arkansas, Little Rock:

GENERAL: We have troops stationed in this department at the following points, viz: Helena, mouth of White River, Saint Charles, Devall's Bluff, Little Rock, Brownsville and line of railroad, Pine Bluff, Lewisburg, Fort Smith, Fort Gibson, and Fayetteville. In my opinion, the points to be held as long as we propose holding Arkansas,