HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, New Orleans, February 18, 1864.

Dr. A. P. DUDLEY, New Orleans:

SIR: Your letter of yesterday's date, proposing to raise a squadron of scouts to operate in the woodland country of West Louisiana, has been submitted to the major-general commanding the department, who directs me to authorize you to commence immediately the organization of such a squadron as you propose.

Proper officers nominated by you will be appointed and commissioned by the major-general commanding. The squadron should be composed of two companies of 100 privates each, with the usual proportion of commissioned and non-commissioned officers. The service of the squadron may include any portion of Western Louisiana, Eastern Texas, or Arkansas. If the men can procure their own mounts and equipments, they will be paid a fair price for the houses.

Very respectfully, sir, your most obedient servant,

CHAS. P. STONE,
Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.
OR Ser 62, Pt. 2, p. 358

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ALEXANDRIA, March 23, 1864 - 9 p. m.
Major General N. P. BANKS,
Commanding Department of the Gulf, New Orleans:

. . . . .Captain Dudley, the person authorized to raise the Western Lousiana scouts, has come in. During his passage up, on the flank of Franklin's column, he has gathered 60 recruits, making his company 80 strong. This will, I am confident, prove an acquisition to your force. The men know the country and its routes and its resources perfectly, and all enter the service joyfully under the flag of the nation.. . . .

CHAS. P. STONE,
Brigadier-General, Chief of Staff.
OR V34, Pt.1, p. 179

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HDQRS. CAVALRY DIV., DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
March 23, 1864.
Brigadier General C. P. STONE,
Chief of Staff, Department of the Gulf:

GENERAL: Mr. Dudley, who has been raising a company of scouts in this region, reports to me by verbal order from General Franklin with a company of about 80 men. I send him to you and suggest that he be assigned to duty with this division.

I am, general, respectfully, yours, A. L. LEE,
Brigadier-General.
OR V34, Pt.2, p. 700

…

HEADQUARTERS U. S. TROOPS, WESTERN LOUISIANA,
Cheneyville, La., March 24, 1864-2.30 a.m.
(Received 10.15 a.m.)

Brigadier General C. P. STONE,
Chief of Staff, Alexandria, La.:

GENERAL: I acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 23rd instant and congratulate the major-general commanding upon the success of the expedition. When Captain Dudley and his scouts arrived at Carrion Crow I dispatched them to the Piney Woods to examine routes and see the refugees and conscripts said to be hiding there. None of them have yet returned. Considering the condition of my troops and trains, and the facts that I am so totally unacquainted with the country and have no guides, I think it will be better for me to keep on to Alexandria. General Emory's division and the ammunition train are here; General Ransom's division and the pontoon train about 11 miles farther back. The pontoon train is broken down and needs entire refitting. I shall reach Alexandria with my advance early on Friday morning.

Respectfully,
W. B. FRANKLIN,
Major-General, Commanding.
OR V34, Pt.2, p. 714/5