Henry W. Halleck to Edwin M. Stanton, June 20, 1862

Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War, Washington, D. O.: Our forces under Major-General Sherman have occupied Holly Springs, pushing his cavalry as far south as the Tallahatchie River and destroying several railroad bridges. The enemy having appeared in considerable force he fell back to Holly Springs. From captured telegrams it was ascertained that the machinery for manufacturing arms at that place has been removed to Atlanta, Ga. Railroad will be opened to Memphis by Monday and to Columbus by Wednesday of next week. It is reported that Beauregard turned over his command to Bragg on the 15th, but all deserters and negroes say that no troops have been sent south or east. This is positively asserted by a servant of the Confederate master of transportation, who left the enemy’s headquarters at Tupelo on Sunday last.

H. W. HALLECK,