L. B. Parsons to and Aide-de-Oamp, December 27, 1862

Washington, December 27, 1862.

Memphis must be held at all hazards. I have asked General Curtis to re-enforce you. Endeavor to communicate with General Grant ; also with gunboats down the river. There are none above.

H. W. HALLECK, General-in- Chief.

JOHNSON’S LANDING, Yazoo River, 8 miles from its mouth, December 27, 1862.

Major-General HALLEOK, Washington, D. O.:

GENERAL: We all arrived at Milliken’s Bend, 12 miles above the mouth of the Yazoo, on Christmas eve, in good order and condition. We were detained a little at Helena, but have not been delayed at all from lack of fuel, as I feared we should be. Most of the boats had an abundance, and those which had not we supplied while lying at shore for other purposes. I am satisfied that if an order was issued requiring boats in all cases to pay in money for wood there would soon be an abundance of it. Policy requires this without any reference to loyalty or disloyalty. I have examined carefully and am confident I am right.

_ Tam glad to be able to say that notwithstanding the very brief notice given for so large transportation of troops and stores (sixty-seven boats), and the great difficulties in getting coal, the expedition was not delayed beyond a day for lack of transportation, if at all. General Sherman sent out a brigade of General A. J. Smith’s division, from Milliken’s Bend, some 30 miles and destroyed the Vicksburg and Shreveport Railroad, as also some 1,000 bales of cotton belonging to the Confederate States.

Steele’s, Morgan’s, and M. L. Smith’s divisions landed here yesterday and A. J. Smith’s to-day, and all are pushing out. Some skirmishing has been going on this afternoon, and the prospect of a severe conflict soon seems decided. We are hopeful and sanguine, but on this point you will no doubt hear fully from General Sherman.

A. J. Smith is assigned to the right; Morgan L. Smith, next; Steele, next, and Morgan the left. There is a strong battery some 12 miles above here, and believed to be supported by some 10.000 or 12,000 troops. It is also believed there are about the same number in Vicksburg with strong fortifications and guns of heavy caliber. Re-enforcements are also arriving from Jackson.

The news came yesterday that General McClernand was soon to arrive and take command. Of course General Sherman must have felt unpleasantly, but he does not show it in the least and bears it like the true soldier he is.

General Sherman thinks it best to detain the transports a few days; until he discharges them I shall venture to remain. As there is sai to be a plan on foot to intercept the boats on their return, a gunboat will probably escort us.

Very respectfully,

Colonel and Aide-de-Oamp.

ABBEVILLE, December 27, 1862.

Major-General GRANT:

GENERAL: Fifty teams from General Denver’s division went out on

a forage expedition under Colonel Stevenson and have not yet returned,

so that he could not start to-day. He will take the road via Holly

Springs and Hudsonville, and his orders, given after the receipt of your