S. A. Hurlbut,] to Edwin M. Stanton, October 9, 1862

Memphis, October 9, 1862.

Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant, Jackson, Tenn.: DEAR GENERAL: You can well understand how glad I was to hear of the successes about Corinth, Chewalia, and Pocahontas. They have had a wonderful effect here, and the secesh have changed their tone very much. I hear through rebel deserters that the rebel army is at Rij ley, and therefore out of reach, for they would scatter and eseape if pursued. _ A few days since I heard that a party of Partisan Rangers were form‘ng on Wolf River, 6 miles from Germantown. I ordered Grierson, witli

Since I caused the destruction of the town of Randolph and gave no. tice if boats engaged in commerce were fired on I should expel rebel families and cause others to take passage on those boats as common targets for the guerrillas, no boats have been molested.

A great deal of cotton has come in of late in small parcels, in single bales, &c., amounting in the aggregate to over a thousand bales, and have somewhat relaxed the rules as to internal trade. Farmers have come in gangs, representing their determination to fight guerrillas and carry out to their suffering families the clothing and groceries neces. sary to their existence. I have no doubt this is in the main true. Though in some cases the privilege has been and will be abused, I think it good policy to encourage it, that the farmers and property holders may realize their dependence on other parts of our country, and also realize that a state of war long continued will reduce them to a state of absolute ruin.

The band of guerrillas or partisan rangers are doing us less harm than our enemies, for they in their wants and necessities must take meat and corn, and will take it when and where they please, of friend or foe; the consequence is that the farmers and planters begin to realize that they have to submit to be plundered by these bands of marauders, and are getting heartily tired of it. Of course some do buy negro shoes for the use of guerrillas and salt for curing bacon. My own opinion is that all trade should be absolutely prohibited to all districts until the military commander notifies the Government that the rebellion is suppressed in that district, for we know, whatever restraint is imposed on steamboats, that clerks and hands do smuggle everything by which they can make profit. The great profit now made is converting everybody into rascals, and it makes me ashamed of my countrymen every time I have to examine a cotton or horse case. I have no doubt that our cause suffers from the fact that not only horses and cotton are bought of negroes and thieves under fabricated bills of sale, but that the reputations of even military men become involved. Still, as the Treasury authorities think it proper to allow trade and encourage the buying of cotton it is my duty not to interpose any obstacle. Whenever I do detect fraud I punish it to the fullest extent; and we have made large and valuable prizes, all of which see go to the use of the United States.

General Steele has passed up the river with half of his Helena command. General Carr remains at Helena with I suppose 7,000 or 8,000 men, too few to do much good ; still I suppose all we can do is to hold fast all we have till the armies of Kentucky and Virginia get abreast of us.

I take it for granted that Price and Van Dorn will renew their efforts on your position, but the terrible punishment they have received will make them timid. I know and feel that these battles about Corinth have. shaken the confidence of their adherents here awfully.

Everything progresses well in my division, and I am putting it in such order that I can add ten infantry regimentsand make a corps with which I could reach Grenada and Jackson. I will again sweep with cavalry the country from the mouth of Hatchie and Somerville, so as to clean out all bands now in the country between Wolf and Hatchie Rivers.

All things civil here are also doing well and in good shape.

As ever, your friend and obedient servant, W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General.

JACKSON, TENN., October 10, 1862—9.30 p. m.

Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief :

Light-draught boats can go to Fort Henry. From there there will be no difficulty in reaching Clarksville. Will go by Donelson should the Cumberland River be too high to ford.

U. S. GRANT, Major-General.

BOLIVAR, October 10, 1862. Major-General GRANT:

General Ross is on his return, having thoroughly destroyed bridge at Davis’. Only cavalry found, who fled. I regret that the bridge was not saved.

S. A. HURLBUT, Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS FoURTH DIVISION, Bolivar, October 10, 1862. Brig. Gen. L. F. Ross:

I heard nothing from you last night, and hear no guns this morning. When you have completed your work, if you are satisfied there is no force of considerable size north of Wolf River, push one battalion of cavalry around through Somerville and crush that nest of traitors and guerrillas there.

All is quiet here.

Your obedient servant,

[S. A. HURLBUT,]
Major-General.
WASHI!.GTON Crry, October 10, 1862.
Hon. E. M. Stanton, ;
Secretary of War :
Sir: _As it is possible, perhaps probable, that the debarkation of the
Mississippi expedition will be contested by the enemy, it is considered
important that it should be formed in part of experienced troops. If