[Inclosure Numbers 7.]

SIGNAL DETACHMENT, NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS,

Alexandria, La., May 3, 1864.

Captain FRANK W. MARSTON,

Chief Signal Officer, Department of the Gulf:

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following copy of messages received by me while on the station on the "Ice House."

APRIL 28.

Captain MARSTON:

Heavy skirmishing in front. The cavalry report the enemy in force. This command is under arms.

HARRIS.

APRIL 28.

General CAMERON:

Maintain your position and I will send re-enforcements to the order generals.

N. P. BANKS,

Major-General, Commanding.

APRIL 28.

General ARNOLD:

Keep me informed of the enemy's movements.

N. P. BANKS,

Major-General, Commanding.

APRIL 28.

General BANKS:

My last reports are that Colonel Davis is 5 miles from town and falling back slowly. General McClernand has pushed his infantry forward to his support.

ARNOLD,

Brigadier-General.

APRIL 28.

COMMANDING OFFICER TWENTY-SECOND KENTUCKY INFANTRY:

You will report immediately with your regiment to your brigade commander.

J. A. McCLERNAND,

Major-General.

APRIL 28.

COMMANDING OFFICER TWENTY-FOURTH INDIANA INFANTRY:

You will report with your regiment immediately to General McClernand, in the front.

J. A. McCLERNAND,

Major-General.

MAY 2.

General BANKS:

The troops have bivouacked just in front of my line on the 28th. No one hurt. I don't think the enemy are in force equal to ours.

LAWLER,

Brigadier-General.

MAY 2.

General McCLERNAND:

The troops have bivouacked just in front of my line on the 28th. No one hurt. I don't think the enemy are in force equal to ours.

LAWLER,

Brigadier-General.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

FRANK A. IRVIN,

First Lieutenant and Acting Signal Officer.