William T. Sherman to Stephen A. Hurlbut, June 23, 1862

General HuRLBUT, Commanding Fourth Division, La Grange, Tenn. : Sir: Remain with your whole division at or near La Grange. Don’t move on Moscow. I expect after getting provisions to effect a junction with you somewhere in front of La Grange, in the neighborhood of Holly Springs. Grant went into Memphis to-day and will order Lew. Wallace out toward Hernando, which will be a threat on the flank. Keep out your cavalry pickets well, at least to Lamar, always. I have mine to north Mount Pleasant. We must expect all sorts of ruses. I am not certain but that Tallahatchie Bridge was burned; at all events quite a break was made in the trestle near the bridge. If we are threatened we must effect a junction at some point between La Grange and Moscow. Moscow is not a suitable place. I will not remain here an hour after my provision train arrives. _I wrote you to-day where I was, and sent a letter to be forwarded to Halleck. La Grange is the most agreeable and defensible camp thus far discovered, excepting one on Coldwater near Holly Springs. Hire through Mr. Shelton, the mayor, one or two good spies to go down and stay about Holly Springs and report to you and me any suspicious movements. I had a man who drove the buggy and met tieneral Veatch, who can play the part well. We are working our very best on the road and will have it done tomorrow night I hope. My train should be back on the 26th. Do not move in this direction unless forced, and keep out all possible spies and scouts. I will do the same, and on authentic intelligence of the approach of danger I will use all possible energy to effect a junction. Yours

: W. T. SHERMAN,