LITTLE ROCK, ARK., December 6, 1864.

Brigadier General POWELL CLAYTON,

Pine Bluff:

All the steamers except one got out of the Arkansas; that one, the Saint Cloud, I understand, is at Pine Bluff. The Eclipse was fired into by about forty rebel cavalry; the guard returned about sixty shouts and the rebels skedaddle. None of our people hurt. Colonel Erskine was put on shore above the Cut- Off, about twenty miles from the Mississippi. This information just received from Doctor Miller, who was with the fleet.

F. STEELE,

Major- General.

WASHINGTON, D. C., December 6, 1864- 10 a. m.

COMMANDING OFFICER AT MEMPHIS:

You will immediately endeavor to cut the Mobile and Ohio Railroad so that Hood's army cannot be supplied by that route. Call on General Reynolds for assistance if necessary.

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

Commanding officer at Cairo will forward this by special messenger.

H. W. H.

WASHINGTON, D. C., December 6, 1864- 2.35 p. m.

Major- General DODGE:

I transmit to you an official copy of general order of this department, which you will acknowledge and act upon without delay, and which is as follows*

The Secretary of War directs that you immediately assume command in accordance with this order.

E. D. TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

(Copy to Major General W. S. Rosecrans.)

WARRENSBURG, December 6, 1864.

COMMANDING OFFICER,

Lexington:

It is reported that Quantrill with forty men was at Waverly last Sunday, and that another band of 250 were in that vicinity.

By order:

J. H. STEGER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

(Copies furnished commanding officers Pleasant Hill, Sedalia, Tipton, and Marshall.)

---------------

*See General Orders, Numbers 294, War Department, Adjutant-General's Office, December 2, p. 749.

---------------