A. Hurlbut to Henry W. Halleck, September 11, 1862

(Received September 12, 10.50 a. m.)

General H. W. HALLEOK, General-in-Ohief :

Everything indicates that we will be attacked here in the next fortyeight hours, and at present the route indicated is by the southwest. I will be ready at all points. General Rosecrans is not yet in with all his forces, but will be by to-morrow night. Price’s forces are estimated at from 36,000 to 40,000. I cannot believe he has half that number of good troops. He may have conscripts to a large number.

U. 8S. GRANT, Major-General.

IuKA, September 11, 1862. General GRANT:

The following is a copy sent to Brig. Gen. C. S. Hamilton:

JACINTO. Telegraphed you that Mower was at Barnett’s. Fourteen companies of cavalry will be on that same point this evening, a little west and south, on the Bay Springs road; two regiments have gone to Burnsville ; two more will follow to-night ; two more tomorrow. Our maps show three roads from Jacinto to Corinth—Glendale road by Mrs. Taylor’s and Campbell’s Mill, and the two crossing Hurricane at Van Derferd’s and Rorey’s ‘Mill. Mitchell’s Mill commands both, and Hurricane is a bad stream to cross. Should the rebels advance on you in force feel and get them in front and stop their advance guard, and quietly and firmly withdraw by these routes, obstructing their passage at advantageous points. Break down the bridges on Hurricane fell trees, and fight them, but not to entangle yourself, falling back toward your old camp at Clear Creek, where I think we can find a good battle ground. Your baggage should take the Glendale road, covered by a regiment and section of artillery.

stablish at once and maintain an efficient line of communication to headquarters.

W. S. ROSECRANS, Brigadier-General.

IuKA, September 11, 1862. General GRANT: Du Bois finds nothing east of the Hatchie. Where are these troops ? [ don’t believe a large force is in motion, for our reports put them all near old positions on 8th instant. Your orders will be promptly obeyed. We must use trains. W. 8S. ROSECRANS, Brigadier- General.

; TuKA, September 11, 1862. Major-General GRANT:

All our troops have orders to have their three days’ cooked rations, and all spare regiments move west to-night; those east of Bear Oreck to it; those here to Burnsville. I will order those tents to be dumped and wagons to move only with ammunition and provisions.

Please let me know if the move is on the Pocahontas road, for Du Bois says the Ripley front is clear. It is important for me to know all, so as to give orders to Hamilton.

W. S. ROSECRANS, Brigadier-General, U. 8. Army.

IuKA, September 11, 1862. General GRANT:

That force has been at Crockett’s for two days, and seems probably to be two regiments of cavalry with a support of two of infantry. Considering all things I see nothing in this to alarm us.

Hpgrzs. FouRTH DIVISION, DISTRIOT OF WEST TENN., In Camp near Hatchie, September 12, 1862.

Sir: Last night at half-past 8 I received through Generals Logan and Ross your orders to move on Bolivar. I had more than half completed a bridge across the Hatchie and should have been in Brownsville to-night.

My march from Raleigh was directed on Somerville, and I showed my head of column on that road as far as Hickory Withe, where I turned toward Brownsville. This was under Major-General Sherman’s advice to relieve our forces at Bolivar by showing a strong column on the flank of any attacking force.

We have had to repair bridges and make roads and are delayed, but I expect to be in Bolivar by Saturday night or Sunday morning. My provisions will be out by that time and I shall expect notice where to draw.

One of my regiments, the Fifty-second Indiana, is now, I suppose, at Fort Pillow, and will move thence by land to join me at Brownsville. They will require orders to move on from Brownsville to Jackson, which should be sent from Jackson to Brownsville. If they have not left Fort Pillow I wish orders sent to them either for the overland march or to be moved by boat to Columbus and thus to join the division. There is no force except scattered guerrillas within 20 miles of me.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,