Another Cut-off

n ashington, April 27. Admira] Portel' sends the following to the Navy Dupartment: 11 Mississippi Squadron, Yazoo Rrvüe, Apnl 16- "Sik- -We have been threaberied lor aorao time past with an attaek from the Arkarisaa rebels in steatners. Every preparation was made to meet them. Commander Stlfridge eaw the diffioiilty in defending the mouths of the Arkansas and White Rivera while kept so far apart by the useless neek of land, and proposed to me to cut it. I ordored him to do so, and he passed through with his vessel in twenty-four houne after we cut the bend, thus saving a distanco of over ten miles. The möuths of the ArkanSü8 and White Rivera are now broug-ht close together, and a forcé can deferid both. One of the worst points for guerillas is aKso cut off, as these pests of the human race coiild, on the Isth mus, attack, a vessel on one sido, and be ready to meet her on the other as she carne l'oufrid, the distance being ten miles around and half a rñile across. I havo forcé enough at Arkansas and White Eivers to prevent an attack."