Earl Van Dorn to Pemberton, November 13, 1862

Abbeville, Miss., November 13, 1862.

Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON, Commanding Department, Jackson, Miss. :

GENERAL: Reports from citizens say that quite a large number of troops have been moving down the river in the last five or six days. I have a report also, which confirms the report sent me by Colonel Starke, that the enemy are concentrating a force opposite Helena, with the intention of marching toward Grenada. We must have more troops.

Holly Springs was taken by the enemy to-day, having driven off our cavalry pickets at that place. Re-enforcements are reported coming down from Columbus to Jackson and Bolivar. The column of the enemy that marched out of Memphis, in the direction of Hernando, has returned.

I am getting in negroes as fast as possible, and doing what 1 can with the means at my disposal. Send me all the intrenching tools you can. I think if you can spare Lockett he had better be here to take charge of works, &c.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Major-General.
SALTILLO, November 13, 1862.
General PEMBERTON:
It was mistake about Federals crossing river toward Nashville. None
went that way; only sick men sent by rail back to Columbus. Troops
went from Corinth to Grand Junction and Bolivar. Federal force at
Corinth, 3,000; at Rienzi, 600 infantry and 200 cavalry; at Kossuth,