T. B. Reed to and Commissary of Subsistence, January 1, 1863

HDQRS. SUBSIST. DEPT., 2D DIST., DEPT. OF MISS. AND E. LA.,

Vicksburg, Miss., January 1, 1863.

DEAB SiR: In accordance with the order from Lieutenant-General Pemberton I have made an estimate of the stores required for 10,000 men for five months, and find that I am well supplied with (or ample arrangements have been made to get supplies of) everything except the following articles: Bacon, soap, salt, rice, vinegar, coffee, candles, and flour. These articles are much needed, and I have made every effort to procure the required amounts, but have not yet succeeded. I will make out and remit to you as soon as possible a statement of the amounts on hand and the amounts wanting to fill the estimate, and I do hope you will try to supply the wants of this post at once.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Major and Commissary of Subsistence.

The inclosed is a report of all the troops at this post, except the Mississippi State troops. Of these there are here the Fifth Regiment, ag62 B RB—VOL XVI, PT I eregate, 384; for duty, 178; the Third Battalion, aggregate, 399; for

duty, 197 (at the time they were detached from this post). They were

sent to Vicksburg by order of Lieutenant-General Pemberton of date November 28, 1862, and are now there in the actual service of the Confederate States. These troops never were mustered into the service of the