S. A. Hurlbut,] to Adolph Gorman, January 3, 1863

Memphis, Tenn., January 3, 1863.

Brigadier-General GoRMAN:

I have sent your dispatches to General Grant. I do not like the look of things at Vicksburg. It is impossible for Grant to send re-enforcements, at all events in time. I have serious doubts as to Sherman maintaining his advance unless. Banks comes up. Vicksburg is a place of such vast consequence that it: may be well to consider whether it will not be your duty to throw your whole force to that point if it will assure success. IJ have but four regiments here. Davies has not yet sent the troops down from Columbus.

Grant’s army will connect with me by railroad to-day or to-morrow.

I shall send coal down in barges by the Kenton to Helena. The Rattler (Mosquito Fleet) will follow to-night and will convoy the Kenton and her barges down. It will not do te permit valuablo boat. to go below without convoy. ;

The Blue Wing was probably purposely surrendered ; her captain has a bad reputation among loyal river men.

I send by the Rattler all the ammunition I have—about 230,000 rounds—and have telegraphed from Cairo to fill Sherman’s call.

Things appear dark, for there is no question Sherman has to meet more than hisown force. Iam assured that.alarge part of Pemberton’s army is there, moving in that direction as soon as Grant fell back.

We have an abundance of commissary supplies here, but nothing of ordnance. It would be a most wretched casualty if Sherman’s force should run out of ammunition.

I have here now 2,400 sick, and the best I can do for the prisoners on the Minnehaha is to ship them up to Cairo.

Let me constantly have the last news.

Your obedient servant,

[S. A. HURLBUT,]
Major-General.
HEADQUARTERS PosT OF BOLIVAR,
Bolivar, Tenn., January 3, 1863.
Col. Jonn A. RAWLINS,
Assistant Adjutant-General:
Sie: For information of Major-General Grant I inclose on next page
a statement of my forces.