K. R. S. Canby to Captain Washburne, September 3, 1864

Captain WASHBURNE, U.S. Navy, Brashear City, La.: A party of some 300 rebels attacked a scouting party near Napoleonville on the night of the 1st, capturing 20 men. They were driven yesterday across Bayou Natchez and are undoubtedly returning to Franklin, from whence they are said to come via Bayou Pigeon in pirogues. Will you send a gun-boat up in Grand Lake to see if it is possible to catch any of them? I think they will cross Grand Lake to-night or tomorrow night. Yours, R. A. CAMERON, Brigadier-General of Volunteers, Commanding District. HpQRs. MILITARY DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI, New Orleans, La., September 3, 1864. Little Rock, Ark.: Your dispatch of the 26th ultimo is received.* Six thousand men are now on the way to you. This will be increased to 12,000 at once and to 20,000, if necessary. If Price crosses the Arkansas to invade Missouri he must be pursued. Every post not essential to your communication with the Mississippi should be abandoned. Major-General Reynolds will command the troops sent to you.

K. R. S. CANBY,