orders to bring in as many beeves as they can, giving proper receipts. The commissary department should see that the troops at Devall's Bluff are supplied with the same comforts as the others.

Respectfully submitted.

E. A. CARR,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS DEVALL'S BLUFF,
July 17, 1864.

Captain C. H. DYER,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Little Rock:

The scout returned last evening. It went beyond Hickory Plains; saw nothing of the enemy, but learned that the attacking force was about 800 and came from West Point. Lieutenant-Colonel Stephens feels sure there is a large force at West Point, but that Shelby is at Jacksonport.

C. C. ANDREWS,

Brigadier-General.

LITTLE ROCK, ARK., July 17, 1864.

Brigadier-General ANDREWS,

Commanding Devall's Bluff:

Is Colonel Geiger able to take the field? About how many men of the Eighth and Eleventh Missouri and Ninth Iowa are ready to march? Colonel Stuart reports Shelby with 1,500 men north of Bayou Des Arc., near Searcy or Gum Spring.

E. A. CARR,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS DEVALL'S BLUFF,
July 17, 1864-7.30 p.m.

Captain C. H. DYER,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Little Rock:

Colonel Geiger is not entirely well, but will go if needed. About 900 cavalry are ready to march. The information is conflicting concerning crossing of Bayou Des Arc on direct road; our scouts swam it a week ago. It is thought to be fordable by way of Hickory Plains. If Shelby is on this side of the river, his force is not less than 2,000 or 3,000. If a force is sent out, I hope it will be with reasonable probability of success.

C. C. ANDREWS,

Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF LITTLE ROCK,
Little Rock, Ark., July 17, 1864.

Brigadier General C. C. ANDREWS,

Commanding, Devall's Bluff:

Get your cavalry ready to move with five days' rations and await further orders, unless the line should be cut and you should hear of