Smithfield Post-Office to Joseph E. Johnston, August 31, 1863

General JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON, Commanding Department of the West, Morton, Miss. : My DEAR GENERAL: The enemy on last Thursday sent some boats ashore, and burned off the whole of the brush-wood, &c., on Round Island, 7 miles south of Pascagoula. They will, perhaps, use that island as a depot, because it will be secure from attack. This morning it is reported that they have a large number of troops on both Horn Island and Ship Island. Continually I hear that they avow their preparations to be for Mobile. The suggestion as to sending troops to Portersville instead of Pascagoula had already been considered by me, and I shall not send anything but cavalry to Pascagoula. , Maxey’s brigade arrived this morning, and I have ordered it down to Portersville, where the change of air and scene will do all hands good, I am glad to have a show of force to prevent absolute surprise. The condition of Selma and the iron-works occasions me.much anxiety. Ihave no force to send there, and the place is now very important. There are about 700 men, mostly employés in navy and ordnance workshops, who are armed and organized in Selma, whe are at present my sole dependence for defense against a raid. Although I can illy spare it, if you think the place too much exposed now in consequence of recent dispositions of troops, I will send a regiment up. My issues of subsistence have, during the past week, been in excess of my receipts, and I again beg to bring to your notice the importance of drawing all possible supplies from the prairie country along the Mobile and Ohio Railroad above Columbus. Even if the speculators were allowed to purchase there, and send down subsistence, the people would be benefited hereabouts, for all sorts of provisions, of prime necessity especially, are cruelly dear. Maxey tells me he is going across the river. In that case, General J. O. Moore occurs to me as a desirable officer. Moore is a Tennesseean ; he is now on parole; but the commissioner of exchange has just informed me that the Vicksburg prisoners will all be returned to duty within ten days. I hope to see you very soon down here. I do not believe the court will give you much trouble. Please excuse me for writing unofficially on business matters. I am, general, sincerely yours, DABNEY H. MAURY, Major-General. {Indorsement.] OFFICE ———. This has been read by General Hardee. BENJ. S. EWELL, Assistant Adjutant-General. Abstract from returns of the Department of the Gulf, Maj. Gen. Dabney H. Maury, C. S. Army, commanding, for August, 1863. 2 ~~ Present for 3 < a duty. a 9 Q ~ a_i 3 a8 ; os aa 2 Stations, &c. +A ° ok ' 2°? 3 aS a 5 2 we 2 5 4 & aa = RS) ity tH) x a 60 of ro) a Q 4 4 Department Stall... --cernas cere Sesrewe cess sancceensecccceses 2 DBS Satwer Pasoaees 12 13 Mobile ........ ear ore: 109 1,615] 1,794] 2,292] 3,150 Forts Morgan, Gaines, &c..- 50 953 1,103] 1,248 1, 503 Pollard ee eee eee oe eae eee are teat dees es oe neeee 70 1,199] 1,279] 1,555 2,470 alg Malia ye tee cee ete tee om ene a mene ade tes cee etets oe ee ae 13 214 224 265 450 POUR Sano ocedes pak tease weeesse npnle sciaisGRaas ceSencicae sesh aaa 13 67 86 107 136 MAUAAO Assent ttccscesitoss cece Seteccasensseacteltadecss tours ele 91 105 127 240 1G) 8 asi 325. 451 Se EBSA ee EAS SIeSOe oo Sees 279 4,139 4,591 5, 606 7, 962 Ne AM DEY de lee tas oie ietadoi ota en laictse cs alaioisl oie seisleimete wiale aisinisinte vin susie smision S dsrenks s siettocttie UNOS ilteiarcucl eects ed as Artillery - eee Be ste ij LOO ule miacactel rile steel telate Cavaltypancsseetaastr cocatpecr stuart cratscawesccsstoesdsnaec eacers(eteceae MOOD cece crlcceensee (NOTE ON ORIGINAL.]—Brig. Gen. S. B. Maxey's brigade not incorporated in this report, they only reporting August 31. Field return shows effective total, 1,834; total, 1,987; aggregate present, 2,242.

SMITHFIELD POST-OFFICE,