IV. Commanding officers of Second Brigade, First Division, and of Third and Fourth Divisions will each make a daily detail of 3 officers, 9 non-commissioned officers, and 65 privates for grand guard, the whole to be posted in a continuous line, under direction of Captain Carnahan, acting aide-de-camp, from Bayou Rapides, on the right, round to the Opelousas road, on the left; this arrangement to take effect from 8 o'clock to-morrow morning.

* * * * *

IX. There being reason to expect an attack from the enemy, and the major-general commanding being seriously ill, Brigadier General M. K. Lawler, the next officer in rank present in the field, is temporarily appointed chief of staff, and will direct what is needful to be done in his name.

By command of Major General John A. McClernand:

SAMUEL CALDWELL,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Alexandria, La, May 1, 1864.

[Colonel WL J. LANDRAM:]

COLONEL: Late and reliable reports go to show that the enemy are not in force in our front. The forage train and escort will therefore go out as already ordered, except that the hour of starting will be 5 instead of 8 a.m. The letter (just received) of which I send a copy probably means that an additional force will be sent from some other command. If that force does not appear by 6 o'clock, you will then send your entire First Brigade as escort. Battery A, First Regiment Missouri Light Artillery, four guns, will be sent to you in the morning.

By command of Major General John A. McClernand:

SAMUEL CALDWELL,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Alexandria, La., May 1, 1864.

Brigadier-General LAWLER,

Commanding Second Brigade, First Division:

GENERAL: Let your brigade remain as at present. The general expects to get permission to-day to withdraw it to the fortified line.

By command of Major General John A. McClernand:

SAMUEL CALDWELL,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Alexandria, La., May 1, 1864.

COMMANDING OFFICER FORAGE TRAIN ESCORT:

SIR: The train will be formed in two divisions of twenty-five wagons each. An advance guard, 60 strong, will be detached from