I have the honor to state that Captain Howe, with his engineer troop, is engaged in constructing the bridge at Hinkle's Ferry. He reports that he has been informed by Captain Heermann that he has ordered to be sent to him through Captain Ransom certain materials, among other things (which have been received) 2 kegs of spikes and 12 chalk-lines, which last have not been received. Captain Ransom has not received these articles. Captain Heermann also sent to Houston for 2 kegs 20-penny nails, 4 kegs tar, 500 kegs oakum, 6 sets caking tools to construct the bridges.

Nothing has been heard of these articles; they are reported by him to be greatly needed. Please forward these articles at once through Mr. Wiggins to Captain Ransom; I will have them sent to him at once by Captain Ransom.

The general is too well aware of the great importance of the speedy completion of these bridges for me to say that much embarrassment might arise from being retarded by the want of necessary materials and tools. I have directed Captain Howe to send a man to hurry them forward. The work progresses alarmingly slow. Please advise me beforehand of the general's return, in order that the ambulances may meet him and no difficulty arise.

E. P. TURNER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

Abstract from field return of Marmaduke's Division Volunteer Cavalry, Brigadier General J. S. Marmaduke commanding, for January 10, 1864.

Present for duty.

Command. Officers. Men. Aggregate

present.

General and staff. 12 1 13

Cabell's brigade, 122 1,014 1,468

commanded by

Brigadier General

Cabell.

Marmaduke's brigade, 85 860 1,242

commanded by Colonel

Greene.

Shelby's brigade, 129 1,272 1,583

commanded by Colonel

Shelby.

Artillery battalion. 13 102 148

Brooks' cavalry 29 371 486

(unattached)

Total 390 3,620 4,940

Continuation:

Command. Aggregate Aggregate Pieces of

present and last return. field

absent. artillery.

General and staff. 13 13 ---

Cabell's brigade, 2,439 2,514 ---

commanded by

Brigadier General

Cabell.

Marmaduke's brigade, 1,829 1,888 ---

commanded by Colonel

Greene.

Shelby's brigade, 2,621 2,607 ---

commanded by Colonel

Shelby.

Artillery battalion. 294 369 16

Brooks' cavalry 602 602 ---

(unattached)

Total 7,798 7,993 16

Abstract from morning report of the troops at Sabine Pass, Colonel William H. Griffin commanding, for January 10, 1864.

Present for duty.

Command. Officers. Men. Aggregate

present.

General staff. 1 --- 1

21st Texas Volun- 16 259 331

teer Infantry.

Artillery 6 129 178

battalion.

44th Texas State 7 40 65

Cavalry.

Daly's battalion. 10 81 156

Artillery and 11 182 221

cavalry.

2nd Battalion 1 36 38

State Troops

(Bland's company).

Grand total 52 727 990

Continuation:

Command. Aggregate Aggregate for

present and December 31.

absent.

General staff. 4 4

21st Texas Volun- 397 397

teer Infantry.

Artillery 270 270

battalion.

44th Texas State 88 88

Cavalry.

Daly's battalion. 224 224

Artillery and 266 266

cavalry.

2nd Battalion 63 63

State Troops

(Bland's company).

Grand total 1,312 1,312