Unknown to Sterling Price, November 6, 1862
Holly Springs, Miss., November 6, 1862.
Major-General PRIcE, Commanding Corps :
GENERAL: Send for your provision wagons at once. We will not fall back unless the enemy advance in force. We will bivouac for a day or so to see what will be done. Send in requisition for provisions, using a few wagons to haul them. The main part keep for the present at Priceâs camp.
The enemy do not seem to be advancing: on the contrary, have fallen back to original line on Wolf River. Keep out infantry pickets on road in front and right flank.
Yours, &c. Mes EARL VAN DORN,
Houiy Sprines, Miss., November 7, 1862.
General BRAXTON BRAGG, Knoxville, Tenn. : The enemy is in front of Wolf River; not advancing. If I knew yow plans I might perhaps assist them. J. C. PEMBERTON,
Tneutenant-General, Commanding.
Houiy Sprines, November 7, 1862. Major-Generals LOVELL, PRICE, and VAN DoRN:
The lieutenant-general commanding directs me that you will suspend the publication of Paragraph II, Special Orders, No. â, November 7, 1862, from these headquarters, relieving Maj. Gen. EH. Van Dorn from the command of the army of operations until further orders.
J. C. PEMBERTON, Lieutenant-General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT No. 2, Knoxville, November 7, 1862. Lieut. Gen. J. C. PEMBERTON:
My DEAR GENERAL: I have your dispatch notifying me of the reported movement of the enemy on your position at Holly Springs. I immediately ordered a force of cavalry, in North Alabama, near Tus. cumbia, to examine the enemy at Corinth, and, if he moved, to harass his rear and destroy his trains. This was all that we could do directly for your aid. We are moving our available forces, as rapidly as possible, into Middle Tennessee, to resume the offensive against the enemy there. This throws us in the rear of your opponents, and ought to create some diversion. I would prefer striking the enemy in rear, at Corinth, were it practicable, but the Tennessee is a barrier we cannot overcome. It has occurred to me that you are exposing your important depot at Columbus, Miss., to great danger by removing your whole force, if I am correctly informed, to Holly Springs. The depot containing machinery and stores we cannot replace; so that its loss would be great and irreparable. The position, too, at Holly Springs is not as strong and defensible as one farther to the rear, behind the Tallahatchie River; but of all this of course you have informed yourself. I only throw out the suggestions as having occurred to my mind when in that country.
I am, general, very truly, yours, BRAXTON BRAGG, General, O. 8. Army.