Jno. G. Devereux to Braxton Bragg, December 3, 1862
Water Valley, December 3, 1862.
Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON, Commanding :
GENERAL: I inclose you a dispatch from Colonel Griffith, just received.* Mauryâs division has just arrived at this point. Lovellâs troops are on the road to Lawsherâs, and will be across the river, he says, about 10 oâclock p.m. Gregg is marching upon Spring Dale road; will be up soon. Maury will bivouac just behind the town. Gregg will bivouac in front of town. All will move in the morning at 4 oâclock.
Maury says there has been no heavy skirmishing in rear to-day. No artillery firing. Thinks there has been nothing but cavalry. All will march at 4 oâclock in morning.
Respectfully, EARL VAN DORN, Major-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS, Hpqrs. 2p Dist., DEPT. Miss. AND E. La., No. 33. Vicksburg, December 3, 1862. 2 % g ® * 2 =
II. Mr. W. H. Johnson having been made a special agent for the accunulation of Government supplies in this district as well as in this departinent, and instructed to establish his office at this point, the following directions are issued relative thereto:
1st. The district and depot commissaries and the depot quartermaster will report to him the names of all agents appointed by them for the purchase of supplies; also direct such agents to report to him for instructions.
2d. Arrangements for the transportation of all such supplies, either up or down the river by boats, will be under his control.
3d. As far as practicable all Government and other stores needing transportation will be taken by the boats employed by him, for which purpose information of their movements wil] always be given to the depot quartermaster.
4th. All disbursements connected with purchases and freights controlled by Mr. Johnson will be made by him.
By command of Maj. Gen. M. L. Smith:
Assistant Adjutant- General.
GRENADA, December 4, 1862.
General BRAXTON BRAGG,
Murfreesborough, Tenn. :
I shall be in position on the Yalabusha with part of my forces tonight; the remainder to-morrow; probably in all about 21,000 effectives.
My rear guard has been skirmishing with the enemy since leaving Tallahatchie. They have been skirmishing also on my right flank with
troops from the Mississippi River. ;