GENERAL ORDERS, 
No. 803. 
WAR DEPARTMENT, 
ADJUTANT GENERA!/ S OFFICE, 
Washington, December 22, 1864. 
The following General Order, No. 81. from the Headquarters, 
Military Division of West Mississippi, is approved by the President 
of the United States: 
HEADQUARTERS, 
MILITARY DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI, 
Xeiv Orleans, Jm., December0, 1864. 
GENERAL ORDERS, 
No. 81. 
Subject to the approval of the President of the United States, 
Major J. B. Cook, 3d U. S. Colored Cavalry, is hereby promoted 
to the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of that regiment, to date from the 27th 
of November, 1864, in consideration of the gallantry displayed by 
him on that day, when with his men dismounted, and having noth- 
ing but railroad ties for a path, he charged over the Big Black Bridge, 
near Canton, Mississippi, in the face of a heavy lire, drove off the 
rebel force stationed on the opposite shore behind a strong stockade, 
and destroyed the bridge, by which the main line of the rebel 
General Hood's communications with his depots in South Mississippi 
and Alabama were effectually cut off. The Major-General Com- 
manding the Districts of West Tennessee and Vicksburg, styles this 
affair as “ one of the most daring and heroic acts of the war.” 
By order of Major-General E. R. S. Canby, 
0. T. CHRISTENSEN, 
U. Col., Asst. Adj. General. 
By order of the Secretary of War : 
E. I). TOWNSEND, 
Assistant Adjutant General. 
Official : 
Assistant Adjutant Central.