W. A. Gorman to Stephen A. Hurlbut, Memphis, Tenn, January 1, 1868

Helena, January 1, 1868.

General HuRLBUT, Memphis:

GENERAL: The Minnehaha has been returned with the rebel prisoners sent down from Cairo a few days since, owing to progress of fight at Vicksburg. Captain White, of this steamer, informs me that our fleets and gunboats are in great need of coal. I send the steamer Kenton to report to you. See if it is possible for you to send two barges of coal to General Sherman and the fleet. The Blue Wing was captured at Napoleon, or near there, with a mail, some artillery ammunition, and two barges of coal, by the enemy, and I think the steamer Home has also been captured, with two barges of forage. The fighting on Monday was terrific; our loss perhaps 2,000 or 3,000 or more. The dead body of Colonel Wyman, of Thirteenth Illinois, is here on board the flag-of-truce boat. We had taken on Monday one fortification with nine guns. We also took three rifle-pits and their big work, but it had to be given up again. Captain White will give you further particulars of General Sherman’s fight. 1 learn that General Sherman needs reenforcements, but have no word from the general or from the admiral on the subject, officially or otherwise.

very respectfully,

HoLuy SPRINGS, MIss., January 2, 1863.
Maj. Gen. STEPHEN A. HURLBUT, Memphis, Tenn. :
Some of the rebel cavalry captured between here and Memphis were
armed with perfectly uew carbines, which evidently were procured in
Memphis. These marauders are probably also getting all other contraband supplies from there.
T know it is impossible, with your present small force, to prevent
smuggling in contraband articles entirely, but I would suggest that the