GENERAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. 1ST Brigadier, RESERVE CORPS,
MIL. DIV. OF WEST MISSISSIPPI, Numbers 4.
Kenner, La., February 4, 1865.

The brigadier-general commanding having received a leave of absence, the command of the brigade, by direction of Major-General Steele, is devolved upon the senior officer, Lieutenant Colonel John A. McLaughlin, Forty-seventh Indiana Volunteers.

By command of Brigadier-General Lawler:

B. WILSON,

Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. 1ST Brigadier, RESERVE CORPS,
MIL. DIV. OF WEST MISSISSIPPI, Numbers 18.
Kenner, La., February 4, 1865.

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III. The troops of this command will commence to embark at 3 o'clock to-morrow morning promptly, and are assigned as follows, viz: Brigade headquarters, Forty-seventh Indiana Volunteers, and Twenty-first Iowa Volunteers, on the George Peabody; Ninety-ninth Illinois Volunteers, Twenty-ninth Wisconsin Volunteers, and ambulance corps, on the Belvidere.

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By command of Lieutenant Colonel John A. McLaughlin:

B. WILSON,
Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, RESERVE CORPS,

MILITARY DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,

Kenner, La., February 4, 1865.

Captain JOHN F. LACEY,

Assistant Adjutant-General, U. S. Forces:

CAPTAIN: In consequence of the dense fog and the heavy draft of the vessels, I regret to report that it will be impossible to make arrangements for embarking the troops as early to-morrow morning as we supposed. The captain of the Peabody says that he must have daylight in which to work, and will hardly be ready for the troops to embark before 8 a. m. He also reports that his hold is full of commissary stores, and that it will be impossible to take any wagons, and if we put our stock aboard he cannot carry all the men assigned him. Whether these troubles are imaginary and will vanish before an energetic effort, I cannot say. I deem it my duty to communicate them, assuring you at the same time that no effort will be spared on my part to complete the embarkation and get away at the earliest possible moment.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN A. McLAUGHLIN,

Lieutenant-Colonel Forty-seventh Indiana Volunteers, Commanding.