R. W. Memminger to Cuar. Xxix.] Correspondence, Etc.confederate. T49, November 11, 1862
Abbeville, Miss., November 11, 1862.
GENERAL:
Maury has just left my quarters. I gave him orders to have his mounted Texas brigade gotten in readiness to march to-morrow morning to Tobytubby Ferry, below here. The enemy are moving out from Memphis, 2,000 infantry, 500 cavalry, and battery of artillery. May be only advance guard.. They encamped last night 12 miles from Hernando. The mounted infantry will best come in play on this occasion.
Respectfully, EARL VAN DORN, Major-General.
PANOLA, November 12, 1862. Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON:
My scouts just in; report the enemy 12 miles this side of Memphis, with 2,000 infantry, 500 cavalry, and 4 pieces of artillery; have advanced no farther. Major Blythe’s command is between them and Hernando.
P. B. STARKE, Colonel, Commanding.
PANOLA, November 12, 1862. Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON:
I am just in receipt of dispatch from Lieutenant Hurt, State troops, to the effect that 3,000 Federals are on east side of the river, opposite Helena, and still crossing. My scouts will be in to-day with further intelligence, of which you will be advised. Am scouting toward Memphis, watching approach of the enemy, and obstructing fords across Tallahatchie, under orders of General Van Dorn. You shall be advised at the earliest moment of anything important that occurs.
P. B. STARKE, Oolonel, Commanding. {Indorsement. ]
General Holmes notified. General Van Dorn directed to move a brigade toward Panola.
Hpqrs. DEPT. OF MISSISSIPPI AND EAST LOUISIANA, Jackson, Miss., November 12, 1862. Maj. Gen. EARL VAN DoRN, Commanding, Abbeville, Miss. : Colonel Starke, at Panola, informs me by telegraph that his scouts report 3,000 Federals on the east side of the river, opposite Helena, and
still crossing. This may be in consequence of an advance against Hel. ena in large force by Holmes, or an advance on our left. I wish you to have a full brigade, with a field battery, put in motion toward Panola unless you should receive later information rendering it unnecessary. J. C. PEMBERTON, Lieutenant-General, Commanding.
JACKSON, November 12, 1862. Brigadier-General SMITH, Commanding, Vicksburg :
Send a courier rapidly to General Holmes with this telegram :
The commanding officer at Panola, on Mississippi Central Railroad, informs me by telegraph that his scouts report 3,000 Federals on the east side of the river and still crossing. If General Holmes will indicate his movements to me I will endeavor to co-operate with him. At present I am entirely in the dark. All my troops except cavalry are behind the Tallahatchie.
Theutenant-General, Commanding.
JAOKSON, Miss., November 12, 1862. Col. J. GoRGAS, Richmond, Va.: Neither the Parrott guns, siege guns, 24-pounder howitzers, or 12pounder bronze guns have been received yet. Have any been sent? I am terribly in want of arms.
J. OC. PEMBERTON, TIheutenant-General, Commanding.
JACKSON, MIss., November 12, 1862. Brig. Gen. MARTIN L. SmitTH, Vicksburg, Miss. : Soldiers between eighteen and thirty-five are conscripts, and must be retained. J. C. PEMBERTON, Tneutenant-General, Commanding.
HpqQrs. DEPT. OF MISSISSIPPI AND EAST LOUISIAN
Jackson, Miss., November 12, 1862. Brig. Gen. MARTIN L. SumTH,
Commanding, &c., Vicksburg, Miss. :
GENERAL: I am directed by the lieutenant-general commanding to say that until further orders your military districts will extend from Big Black River te the line of the Mississippi Central Railroad; thence to 1 mile south of Grenada; thence due west to the Mississippi River. Panola and all points north of that line to be under the commard of the commanding general of the Army of West Tennessee.
your obedient servant,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HpDQgs. DEPT. OF MISSISSIPPI AND EAST LOUISIANA,
Jackson, Miss., November 13, 1862.
General S. CooPER
Adjutant and Inspector General :
GENERAL: The honorable Secretary of War informed me by tele.