Unknown to B. E. M. Stanton, June 23, 1862

Hon. B. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War: Have the following information direct; believe it to be reliable: Rebel forces concentrating in Tupelo, Miss., about 60 miles below Corinth. The division and brigades commanded by Generals Hardee, Polk, Breckinridge, and Van Dorn now there. Price’s division reported on the way to East Tennessee. Beauregard, Price, and Breckinridge started for Richmond. All the forces, estimated at 100,000, quite healthy; supplied with two days’ bacon, two days’ fresh meat, and three days’ pickled beef per week, with plenty of flour, rice, sugar, molasses, and coffee. Cavalry in very bad condition; horses do not get over a quart of corn per day; great many dismounted and made to serve as infantry. One Texas regiment of cavalry lately dismounted. All the troops greatly dissatisfied, particularly Tennesseeans. If practicable, most would leave after 16th of July.

JAS. 8S. NEGLEY,