Unknown to T. B. Reed, December 25, 1862

Grenada, December 25, 1862.

Respectfully forwarded. Statement of Colonel Withers that the enemy are still falling back. Scouts report that the enemy have burned the railroad bridge across the Yocona. W. W. LORING, Major-General, Commanding.

Cua. XXIX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—CONFEDERATE. 805

VICKSBURG, Miss., December 25, 1862. Maj. T. B. REED, Commissary of Subsistence, Second. District :

Magsor: I am informed by Mr. G. Messinger, who is interested in that section of country, that on the Sunflower River there is an immense quantity of corn which the planters are anxious to dispose of to the Government. They say that if encouraged they will haul it to the landings during this dry spell of weather, which is not certain to last long, and then as the rise of the river must occur soon it can be boated away. Please give this matter early and special attention.

I am, major, yours, respectfully, JNO. G. DEVEREUX, Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.

VICKSBURG, December 26, 1862. Maj. L. Mims, Chief Quartermaster, Jackson, Miss. :

I have ordered Maury’s division to Vaughan’s Station. Send trans. portation for 4,000 troops to Grenada at once ; also, if possible, for four field batteries; but do not interfere with transportation from Jackson or Meridian for Vicksburg. Acknowledge.

J. C. PEMBERTON, TIneutenant-General, Commanding.

GRENADA, December 26, 1862. Lientenant-General PEMBERTON :

Aggregate effective strength of General Maury’s division as follows: Infantry, 3,726; artillery, 409. Aggregate, 4,135. W. W. LORING, Major-General, Commanding.

VICKSBURG, December 26, 1862. General JosEPH E. JOHNSTON, Jackson, Miss. :

Brig. Gen. S. D. Lee reports enemy landing at Mrs. Lake’s, 8 miles above; two regiments, infantry and cavalry. I have ordered Maury’s division at once to Vaughan’s Station. J. O. PEMBERTON, Tieutenant-General, Commanding.

VICKSBURG, December 26, 1862 Maj. J. R. WADDY, Assistant Adjutant-General, Jackson :

Push forward the troops as rapidly as possible. The enemy is landing. J. C. PEMBERTON, Theutenant-General, Commanding.

JACKSON, Miss., December 26, 1862. Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON, Vicksburg:

Would not Canton be a better place than Vaughan’s Station? What force do you report landing ? J. E. JOHNSTON,

VicKSBURG, MIss., December 26, 1862. General JosEPH BE. JOHNSTON, Jackson :

I prefer Canton. It has reference to fortifications at Yazoo City to prevent passage of river force at that point. Landed about 3,000 above

mouth of river. J. O. PEMBERTON, Thieutenant-General, Commanding.

JACKSON, December 27, 1862. Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON:

General Loring reports that enemy burnt Yocona Bridge and has crossed the Tallahatchie.

Memphis papers say seventy transports with troops left Memphis and Helena Sunday and Monday, 12,000 troops to follow from Helena. Where is Adams’ regiment? Loring expects to hear more of Grant today. If of the same sort we must bring troops southward. Any news

from Arkansas ? J. E. JOHNSTON, General.

VICKSBURG, December 27, 1862. Major WADDY, Assistant Adjutant-General :

Seventy-ninth, Eightieth, Eighty-first Tennessee Regiments constitute Vaughn’s brigade. Third and Thirtieth consolidated; Tenth and Forty-first consolidated ; Fiftieth and Fifty-first Tennessee Regiments and First Battalion constitute Gregg’s brigade. Fortieth, Forty-second, Forty-third Georgia Regiments, of Barton’s brigade, have arrived; Forty-first and Fifty-first Regiments en route.

J. C. PEMBERTON, Lieutenant-General, Commanding.

VICKSBURG, December 27, 1862. (Received December 27.) Major WADDY, Assistant Adjutant-General : Send forward all the troops that arrive to-night with full supply of ammunition. . They will be wanted in the morning. J. C. PEMBERTON, Thteutenant-General, Commanding.

GRENADA, December 27 1862. General PEMBERTON:

The latest scouts inform me that Grant had crossed the Tallahatchie and was thought to be moving to Memphis. The accounts of yesterday said he was going to Corinth. Heisno doubt moving away. 1 expect to hear to-morrow definitely. Our scouts report that the Federals say that Memphis was attacked on the 22d at three different points by cavalry, supposed to be Van Dorn’s. No result given except that a large guantity of supplies was destroyed. Seventy transports with troops left Helena and Memphis on Sunday and Monday, 12,000 remaining to follow. Memphis papers say Forrest broke up the track between Humboldt and Carroll Station on the 19th, cutting off Grant’s supplies and preventing the trains passing between Jackson and Columbus.

W. W. LORING, Major-General.