Jno. A. Rawlins to Marsh is at Waterford. Icould not overtake him, December 20, 1862

Oxford, Miss., December 20, 1862.

Colonel Haron, hb ; i Ps

Commanding Second Brigade, Cavalry Division:

You will at once break all the cavalry camps in the front and send the trains, camp and garrison equipage, and ambulances to this place. You will then take all the effective cavalry force south of the Yocknapatalfa River and make a demonstration as far toward Grenada as you

can go without serious resistance and thence return to this place, destroying thoroughly on your return all bridges on railroad and wagon roads and all mills on the line of your march.

By order of Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant:

Assistant Adjutant-General.

ABBEVILLE, MIss., December 20, 1862.

Major-General GRANT:

Colonel Marsh is at Waterford. I could not overtake him, and am

encamped near Colonel Buckland, at the Tallahatchie. I learn from

the surgeon of Bissell’s Engineer Regiment, who left Holly Springs at

a. m. to-day, that every man was taken, supplies of all kinds burned;