Sila G. T. Beauregard to Earl Van Dorn, June 10, 1862
Tupelo, Miss., June 10, 1862.
Maj. Gen. MANSFIELD LOVELL Commanding Department No. 1, Jackson, Miss. :
GENERAL: * * * You ask what are my future plans. They will depend somewhat on the movementsâof the enemy. I intend to fight him here if he advances upon me and my force be strong enough to meet him with a chance of success; otherwise, I will fall back toward my true base, via Columbus and the Meridian and Selma Railroad. But should circumstances favor it I shall march from here to Oxford via Pontotoc. The first movement would necessarily cause the withdrawal of all my troops west of this place to concentrate them here. What would then become of you and your command must be left for you to decide. I would advise you, if my advice were asked, to concentrate them here aiso, in order to enable me to take the offensive, if practicable. The only thing left to us now is to endeavor to divide the enemyâs forces, if possible, and then to unite ours rapidly for a sudden blow on any one of his fractional commands.*
* * s @ e ® e Respectfully,
your obedient servant
sila G. T. BEAUREGARD,
General, Commanding.
ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERALâS OFFICE,
Richmond, Va., June 11, 1862.
Maj. Gen. EARL VAN Dorn,
(Through General Beauregard), Boldwyn, Miss. :
GENERAL: Your telegraphic dispatch to the President recommend.
ing Major Cabell and Lieutenants Phifer and Armstrong for appointment of brigadier-generals to your command has induced the President