Henry W. Halleck to Mortimer D. Leggett, July 5, 1862

Colonel LEGGETT: I am sadly disappointed at the conduct of that force which came from Corinth, with which I came out to co-operate. It did not come to Holly Springs and retreated to Corinth in confusion, losing its camp equipage, &c. I am sadly deficient in cavalry, and the enemy has a large force, so that they intercept my messengers and attack my trains. I have to send escorts and ambuscades with every train, thereby breaking up the main body into detachments. The enemy is accumulating at Tallahatchie, 18 miles south of -Holly Springs, and will probably attack me at or near Holly Springs. I keep a brigade there, but on account of water my main force is here. If MeClernand is coming to Grand Junction, as he intended, I would like to have all of Hurlbut’s and my division off the railroad for maneuver. Halleck and Grant have not given me any orders or support, and I am here in obedience to Halleck’s original order, to repair railroad and take position in front of it to protect it. I would be obliged if you could get to me some message from Hal. leck, as I have not heard from him in a week, and I ought to have some explanation of the extraordinary movement from Corinth on Ripley. My thanks to Smith, the operator, for his sheet of news. Yours, A LA GRANGE, July 5, 1862. Major-General MoCLERNAND, Jackson : I have just received a communication from Sherman. He complains that the force sent from Corinth to co-operate with him has retreated in confusion toward Corinth, leaving their camp equipage. He is without support and can get no word from Grant or Halleck, and desires me to get orders for him. He isin great need of more cavalry, and liable to be attacked by a superior force from Tallahatchie, and wishes to have the balance of his and Hurlbut’s division (four regiments) relieved and sent to him. Can you get the attention of either Grant or Halleck and some orders from them ? M. D. LEGGETT, Colonel Seventy-eighth Ohio. JACKSON, TENN., July 5, 1862. Major-General HALLECK, Corinth: General Sherman informs Colonel Leggett, and he me, that the former has failed to hear either from you or General Grant. He says the co-operating force from Corinth has retreated in confusion toward Corinth, leaving their camp equipage; that he needs more cavalry and is liable to be attacked by superior numbers, and wishes to have his and Hurlbut’s four regiments (I suppose at or near La Grange and Moscow) sent to him. If you choose to answer through me and Colonel Leggett, we will forward your answer. I have sub-districted my district and already sent orders accordingly to different commanders relative to protecting roads, bridges, &c. JOHN A. McCLERNAND, Major-General, Commanding. CORINTH, July 5, 1862. Major-General MCCLERNAND, Jackson: Celenel Leggett’s dispatch, as reported by you, is all bosh. The Corinth force did not retreat, and left uo camp equipage. They were ordered back when they found no enemy in front, and less than 4,000 in front of General Sherman, of which General Sherman has been informed and answered. The disposition of these troops will be ordered as soon as expected dispatches are received from other quarters.

H. W. HALLECK,