GENERAL
HDQRS. CAV. FORCES, MIL, DIV., OF W. MISS., ORDERS,
Camp at Foxworth's Farm, Seven Miles from Numbers 11.
Columbia, Miss., December 4, 1864.

From this time onward division commanders are requested to use more caution while on the march, looking out well to their front and rear, and sending out flankers. The left flank particularly must be closely watched. When the road passes through thick woods, or is bounded on other side by dense underbrush, skirmishes should be thrown out in advance of the command and every precaution should be taken to guard against surprise. The division columns and division trains should be kept well closed up at all times.

By order of Brigadier-General Davidson:

A. S. MONTGOMERY,

Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. FIRST Brigadier, FIRST DIV., U. S. COLORED TROOPS,
Morganza, La., December 4, 1864.

Lieutenant O. A. RICE,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, &c.:

The rebel picket post spoken of in my report of this morning has twice since been driven as far as the New Texas road by our cavalry outposts, and is now again in sight This, of course,indicates the presence of a body of the enemy in the immediate vicinity.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WM. H.. DICKEY,

Colonel, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF ARKANSAS,
Little Rock, Ark., December 4, 1864.

Major General J. J. REYNOLDS,

Commanding Military Division of West Mississippi:

GENERAL: Yours of the 27th ultimo, inclosing copies of dispatches from General Canby and calling for my views in regard to the evacuation of Fort Smith, was received this afternoon. The answer to these dispatches and to you inquiries in regard to the evacuation of Fort Smith we handed to a member of my staff to be forwarded to you. I herewith inclose copies* of the same. I have sent you several other dispatches, which I hope have been or that they will be received. I shall be more particular hereafter as to the manner of forwarding dispatches to you.

Very respectfully, general, your obedient servant,

F. STEELE,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD BRIGADE, THIRD DIVISION,
NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, AND U. S. FORCES,

Mouth of White River, Ark., December 4, 1864.

Lieutenant Colonel C. T . CHRISTENSEN,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Mil. Div., of West Mississippi:

COLONEL: I have the honor to submit the inclosed copy of correspondence for the information and consideration of the major- general

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*See November 24 (two communications), pp. 665, 666.

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