Jno. A. Rawlins to T. Lyle Dickey, December 3, 1862
Abbeville, Miss., December 3, 1862.
Col. T. LYLE DICKEY, Commanding Cavalry Division : Dispatch of 11 oâclock a. m. to-day is received. It was my intention to send the expedition east to strike the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, as
you propose, but thought first to give the cavalry one dayâs rest. You will, however, send them, if you deem it practicable, immediately after driving the enemy beyond the Yockna River, moving slow, so as not to tire out the cavalry, and after reaching the railroad and accomplishing the object of the expedition they will return to the main body of our forces at or near this place.
ABBEVILLE, Miss., December 3, 1862. Col. G. G. PRIDE, Ohief Engineer Military Railroads, Hudsonville, Miss. :
COLONEL: Am glad to hear you are progressing so well with your work. Push on the repairs to the Tallahatchie. It is the intention to rebuild the Tallahatchie Bridge, and Quinby has been directed to commence getting out timber to that end.
ABBEVILLE, MiIss., December 3, 1862. Admiral PoRTER, Cairo, Ill. :
Our move has been successful so far as compelling the evacuation of the Mississippi Central road as far as Grenada. A spy who left Corinth some weeks ago and just returned this evening, reports that it is the intention of the rebels to evacuate Arkansas and concentrate their whole force east of the Mississippi. In this event they will cross at Vicksburg. Please inform me of so much of your movements as you deem prudent to pass over the wires.
ABBEVILLE, Miss., December 3, 1862. Lieut. Col. C. A. REYNOLDS, Ohief Quartermaster, Holly Springs, Miss. :
COLONEL: You will make Holly Springs for the present your main depot for supplies and get forward there all the supplies of every kind needed, and issue from there as required. La Grange will no longer be made a depot. Any artillery horses that arrive send to the front.
By order of Maj. Gen. U.S. Grant:
Assistant Adjutant-General.