La., as a feint to draw the Federal forces there. I have informed the commanding officers of vessels in this district as far as is in my power, as well as my divisional commander, of the foregoing facts.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. P. LORD,

Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding.

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER, DEPT. OF THE GULF,

New Orleans, August 27, 1864.

Major GEORGE B. DRAKE,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

MAJOR: I have the honor to request that the Ninety-eighth U. S. Colored Infantry, engineer troops, be ordered to proceed to Plaquemine for special service on the fortifications. The regiment is now at Greenville in engineer camp of instructions.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

P. C. HAINS,

Captain of Engineers, U. S. Army, and Actg. Chief Engr. of Dept.

[First indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
New Orleans, August 31, 1864.

Respectfully referred to Brigadier-General Sherman, commanding Defenses of New Orleans, for recommendation.

By command of Major-General Banks:

J. SCHUYLER CROSBY,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Second indorsement.]

DEFENSES OF NEW ORLEANS,

September 1, 1864.

Respectfully returned.

I am not aware what the design is at Plaquemine to call for this regiment. This place is not now within my control in any way, but if it be intended to carry out the recommendations of General Andrews at Brashear and Berwick, which I have strongly recommended with certain additions, I do hope that this regiment will be ordered there in order that important point may be thoroughly secured as soon as possible. If that recommendation is to be carried out it should be done at once. If not, it should be immediately known, so that Berwick may receive an addition to its present armament to thoroughly secure it.

T. W. SHERMAN,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

GENERAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, Numbers 118.
New Orleans, August 27, 1864.

Upon the recommendation of the commissioners of election of the State of Louisiana it is ordered that at the election on the 5th of September next the polls throughout the various parishes be held open for the reception of votes from 6 a. m. to 6 p. m.

By command of Major-General Banks:

GEORGE B. DRAKE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.