Jas. B. Mopherson to Hpqgrs. Richt Wing, Thirteenth Army Ooeps, December 21, 1862

Oamp, Yocknapatalfa, December 21, 1862.

Major-General GRANT, Commanding Thirteenth Army Corps :

GENERAL: I will commence my march for the Tallahatchie to-morrow morning.

I anil like very much to see the officer who is to remain in charge of the cavalry, to have some definite understanding about destroying the wagon-road bridges as we retire. I propose to have a regiment of infantry move back along the line of the railroad and destroy every bridge and trestle-work from the Otuck north.

1 sent over to General Denver yesterday afternoon to destroy the bridge (McF arland’s) about 5 miles to the west of him, across the Yockna, thinking perhaps the rebel cavalry might return from their raid into Holly Springs by that route and we might thus be enabled to make some of them repent of their rashness.

I issued an order this morning putting my men on three-fourths rations, and by so doing have enough provisions on hand to last ten days.

Leggett is still at Water Valley, and I shall not make any move to the rear until the cavalry is ready to make the demonstration in front and screen our movements, unless I hear from you.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Major. General.
Hpqgrs. Richt WING, THIRTEENTH ARMY OOEPS,
December 21, 1862.
Brig. Gen. J. W. DENVER,
Commanding First’ Division :
GENERAL: You will move your command back to the north side of
the Tallahatchie by the same route on which you advanced, camping