Jno. A. Rawlins to Charles S. Hamilton, November 30, 1862
Holly Springs, Miss., November 30, 1862.
Brig. Gen. C. S. HAMILTON, Commanding Left Wing :
Your dispatch just received Watch the enemy closely, as 1 know you are doing, but instruct the advance not to attempt to carry any intrenchments until we are prepared. I will be up in the morning, and we will prepare for a heavy reconnaissance to the southeast and the enemyâs rear if practicable.
A number of sick are being returned here without rations and without a surgeon. Rations have been issued to the men, and regimental surgeons should attend to their own sick until preparations are made for them.
U. S. GRANT, Major-General.
HOoLiy SPRINGS, Miss., November 30, 1862.
Colonel NorTon, Commanding Post, La Grange, Tenn. :
It_is reported that a party of the enemy with flag of truce came into La Grange, exchanged prisoners, and returned without.
This should not have been permitted. You have no authority to exchange prisoners, and should have had pickets out. The enemyâs real object was to learn your strength and position. You may look out for an attempt on their part to destroy our supplies at Grand Junction and La Grange. The One hundred and twenty-sixth Illinois Infantry has been ordered to report to you, which, with the infantry and cavalry designated as a garrison for those places, will be, with proper diligence on your part, sufficient to hold them and protect our stores.
Picket the several roads leading to Grand Junction and La Grange at once and keep a sharp lookout to the east and west of you.
By order of Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant:
Assistant Adjutant-General.