Unknown, December 4, 1862
December 4, 1862.
No. 1. } Chattanooga, December 4, 1862.
The undersigned assumes the command to which he is assigned in Special Orders, No. 225, dated Richmond, November 24, 1862. The following officers constitute his staff:
Col. B. S. Ewell, adjutant-general.
Lieut. Col. T. B. Lamar, assistant adjutant-general.
Maj. A. P. Mason, assistant adjutant-general.
Col. Charles M. Fauntleroy, inspector-general.
Lieut. Col. Edwin J. Harvie, assistant inspector-general.
Maj. Alfred M. Barbour, chief quartermaster.
Lieut. J. Barroll Washington, aide-de-camp.
Lieut. Wade Hampton, jr., aide-de-camp.
RIcHMOND, VA., December 5, 1862. General JosEPH E. JOHNSTON, Chattanooga, Tenn.:
Pemberton telegraphs yesterday from Grenada. His force, 21,000, at Yalabusha River. Near by enemy, 60,000, extending from his rear to Wolf River. Daily skirmishing with rear guard and with troops on Mississippi River on his right.
The word iv cipher can be explained by one of General Braggâs signal officers. The President has not the cipher you refer to. If it isa dictionary cipher, please let-me know the particular edition of the dictionary you have, that copies of the same may be obtained here, if possible, to work by.
S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General.
LITTLE Rook, December 5, 1862. (Received Richmond, December 8, 1862.) General S. CooPER:
Two-thirds of my force is in Northwest Arkansas to meet a heavy advance there from Springfield, Mo. I expect a fight daily. Nota
soldier has left Helena, but it has been re-enforced by two divisions. There are now there 25,000 men.
Except the regiment for the defense on the fortifications on the Lower Arkansas and White Rivers I have but 6,000 infantry to defend this valley. The distance to Vicksburg is 300 miles, with no supplies on the road. I could not get there in twenty-five days, and all would be lost here before I could return.
I beseech you to answer this at once.
TH. H. HOLMES, Theutenant-General.