BATON ROUGE, August 4, 1864.

COMMANDING OFFICER

Port Hudson:

The enemy is advancing in force on the Port Hudson road. I believe that he will attack me in the morning.

W. P. BENTON.

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Operator at Baton Rouge tells me that enemy drove in their pickets to-day and enemy in large force.

JOHNSON.

MORGANZA, LA., August 4, 1864.

Brigadier-General McNEIL,

Port Hudson:

Have you any news of the movement of the enemy in force in rear of your place or Baton Rouge?

M. K. LAWLER,

Brigadier-General.

General Lawler waiting answer to decide whether to send re-enforcements to Baton Rouge.

JOHNSON.

PORT HUDSON, August 4, 1864.

Brigadier-General LAWLER:

No news of the movements of the enemy in rear of this place or Baton Rouge except what is telegraphed from that place.

J. McNEIL

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

BATON ROUGE, August 4, 1864.

(Received 9.20 p.m.)

Major CHRISTENSEN:

The enemy is in force on the Port Hudson road. I have this from four different sources, and I believe that he will attack me. I am making every preparation to receive him without any alarm or stampede.

W. P. BENTON,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

[Indorsement.]

I do not know what force the rebels can bring against Baton Rouge. The recent accounts from Clinton and Woodville give but a small force at either of those places, the bulk of the troops having gone to Mobile. General Lawler will be instructed to re-enforce General Benton, if necessary, and any disposable force here might be sent up.

[E. R. S. CANBY.]