Jas. B. Mopherson to Have just reached this point. The advance under Colonel Lee had, November 8, 1862
La Grange, November 8, 1862.
General DODGE, Corinth, Miss. : When you are satisfied the enemy can be attacked and repulsed without endangering the post from other parties, doit. You can judge of
the propriety of attacking at Guntown better than I can. ae General Wallace will probably relieve you in a day or two. A divis
ion then awaits you here. U. 8S. GRANT, Major-General.
LAMAR, Miss., November 8, 1862—8.30 a. m.
One of our men who was taken prisoner near Jackson about five weeks ago made his escape from the rebel lines and came in this morning. He says there are about 30,000 infantry, artillery, and cavalry at Coldwater; that they commenced evacuating Holly Springs, but Pemberton came up on Thursday and put a stop to it, ordering the troops all
back. They had out five regiments of cavalry yesterday, which were all driven back. Colonel Lee is advancing his cavalry cautiously to find out the truth of the matter. I cannot hear anything of General Quinby, though I have sent several couriers to find him. The prisoners are just starting in. Yours, truly, JAS. B. MOPHERSON, Major-General.
IN THE FIELD, 54 MILES FROM LA GRANGE, November 8, 1862—11.45 a. in. Major-General GRANT:
My column is all united at this point, where the road from Grand Junction comes in.
The cavalry under Colonel Lee have just arrived, and have gone on in advance. I have established a courier post 44 miles from La Grange, at the forks of the road. General Quinby’s division will not be up for two or three hours. I shall, however, push on cautiously to Lamar or vicinity.
Would it not be well to keep a strong lookout on the Moscow road ?
Some few of the rebel pickets have been seen.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAS. B. MoPHERSON,
Major-General.
LAMAR, November 8, 1862—3 p. m.
Major-General GRANT:
Have just reached this point. The advance under Colonel Lee had
some pretty sharp skirmishing with rebel cavalry a short distance beyond here. I shall halt my column here until General Quinby comes
up, unless I hear something definite from the front.
JAS. B. McPHERSON,