SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. 1ST GR'D DIV., ARMY OF THE MISS., Numbers 445.
Corinth, Miss., March 26, 1862.

Brigadier General W. W. Mackal is hereby ordered to proceed to Madrid bend forthwith, and relieve Major General J. P. McCown of the command of all the Confederate forces there and at Island Numbers 10.

Major General J. P. McCown is ordered to report at these headquarters as soon as he is relieved by Brigadier General W. W. Mackall. He is instructed to communicate in writing to Brigadier General W. W. Mackall his plan of defense of Madrid Bend and Island 10, together with the orders and instructions he has received in relation thereto and all such information as may be important to Brigadier General W. W. Mackall as his successor to the command.

By order of Major-General Polk:

GEORGE WILLIAMSON,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS TRANS-MISSISSIPPI DISTRICT,

Jacksonport, March 28, 1862.

Brigadier General T. J. CHURCHILL;

GENERAL: The general commanding directs me to inform you that it is of the very greatest importance you should reach Des Arc, on White River, at the earliest possible day, and you will therefore press forward to that point with all your available force by the best and quickest route.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

D. H. MAURY,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

JACKSONPORT, March 29, 1862.

General A. SIDNEY JOHNSTON:

Your order received.* Will be executed as promptly as possible. I go this evening to see General Beauregard at his request and to prepare army on march to Des Arc.

EARL VAN DORN.

MADRID BEND, March 29, 1862-12 o'clock.

Colonel THOMAS JORDAN, Corinth, Miss.:

It is said that the enemy are cutting away from the foot of Island 8 to Saint John's Bayou (said to be progressing rapidly) for their boats. Bombardment slowly continues. One of our gunboats came up to Tipton last night. Fired at seventeen times.

J. P. McCOWN,

Major-General, Commanding.

TEN MILES BELOW TIPTONVILLE, ON MISSISSIPPI RIVER,

March 31, 1862,

Colonel THOMAS JORDAN, Adjutant-General:

I reached here at 10 a. m. to-day. The river rising. I am forced to await transportation of Commodore Hollins.

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* Of March 23. See Series I, Vol X, Part II, p. 354.

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