Unknown to Samuel R. Curtis, November 6, 1862

Memphis, November 6, 1862.

Maj. Gen. SAMUEL R. CURTIS, Oomdg. Department of the Missouri, Saint Louis, Mo.:

GENERAL: Brooks has gone to Helena, and thence, I suppose, to the interior. Of course, I do not suppose Joe Johnston to be in Arkansas; Holmes commands there. I can, and will, send a man to White River and Little Rock, and advise you of any authentic facts. Ihave pretty good evidence that a part of the rebel army, formerly in Arkansas, has been sent down to Vicksburg, and thence a part has come to Holly Springs and balance gone to Port Hudson, Miss.

I also have reason to believe that a movement of our forces has been made from New Orleans to Bayou Manchac, mouth of Pontchartrain, but what for, or what its destination, I cannot make out. —To counteract it, the rebels are assembling a force at Port Hudson; also they design to fortify the mouth of Yazoo River. This will seriously interfere with a movement on Vicksburg. I doreally think that your forces under Schofield and Steele could reach Fort Smith and Little Rock without serious opposition. If, then, Rosecrans’ army should regain the latitude of Huntsville, the expedition down the Mississippi could easily go down.

I have here only my own division, but think my defenses are good against any force that can be brought against us. The force of the enemy at Holly Springs must be about 30,000, with a large proportion of cavalry. Of course, the secessionists continue to talk of taking Memphis, but their time has passed.

I do not understand you want me to supply affidavits that Uriel Wright, Senator [Trusten] Polk, [D. M.] Frost, Brown, [Bowen (?)] and others, of Missouri, are at Holly Springs. I can do it, if you cannot make proof there. It would be profitable if you could get the courts to accept other evidence, which you can procure on the spot.

Tan, &c. roy W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General.