HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, U.S. COLORED TROOPS,
Vicksburg, Miss., May 29, 1864.

Col. A. W. WEBBER,
Commanding U.S. Forces, Goodrich's Landing, &c.:

COLONEL: By direction of the general commanding I inclose herewith copy of Special Orders. No. 43, of this date, directing Colonel Wood's command to proceed to Milliken's Bend, La., the post of Lake Providence to be evacuated, and the Fifty-first and Sixty-sixth Regiments U.S. Colored Infantry concentrated at Goodrich's Landing under your command.
That portion of the Fifty-first Regiment U.S. Colored Infantry at Milliken's Bend will not, however, be ordered to Goodrich's Landing until Colonel Wood reports that he no longer requires their services for perfecting the works at that place. The detail of men ordered from Battery D, Second Regiment U.S. Colored Artillery (light), will be directed to report to Colonel Wood without delay. He takes with him from this place the section of artillery. You will have entire control of the post and defenses at Goodrich's Landing, and will report all military operations direct to district headquarters, sending only monthly and tri-monthly returns and regimental official papers through these headquarters.
I have the honor to be, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
SAML. B. FERGUSON,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Inclosure.]
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 43.
HDQRS. 1st DIV., U.S. COLORED TROOPS,
Vicksburg, Miss., May 29, 1864.

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IV. The post of Lake Providence, La., will be evacuated and that portion of the works which would be of service to the enemy destroyed. The Fifty-first and Sixty-sixth Regiments U.S. Colored Infantry will be concentrated at Goodrich's Landing, La., under command of Colonel Webber, who will have entire control of the post and defenses at that place, and will report as heretofore.
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By order of Brig. Gen. J.P. Hawkins:
SAML. B. FERGUSON,
Assistant Adjutant-General.