SPECIAL ORDERS,
ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Numbers 66.
Richmond, March 21, 1862.

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XXIII. The department under the command of Major General E. K. Smith is extended so as to embrace within its limits Chattanooga, Tenn., and the troops in its vicinity. The commanding officer of the troops in and about Chattanooga will report by letter to Major-General Smith.

By command of the Secretary of War:*

JNumbers WITHERS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

CORINTH, MISS., March 23, 1862. (Received March 27.)

General VAN DORN, Little Rock:

Move your command to Memphis by the route in your judgment the best and most expeditions, and on arriving report to these headquarters. Require such and whatever transportation you may need on your route from the quartermaster at Memphis.+

A. S. JOHNSTON.

JACKSON, TENN., March 23, 1862.

Major-General VAN DORN:

Dispatch received. It is important to join our forces for defense of valley by shortest route.

Could you not come to Memphis via river? There we will operate to best advantage. I will send you all the boats you may require. Sidney Johnston will be with us. You might come ahead for conference. We still hold Island 10 and Fort Pillow.

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

RICHMOND, VA. [March 23], 1862.

Gov. J. G. SHORTER, Montgomery:

Pray order immediately to Chattanooga every regiment that can be sent; let every man go that can carry a musket or other arm. The line of road in East Tennessee is threatened by greatly superior forces and will be lost if General Kirby Smith is not re-enforced.

J. P. BENJAMIN,

Secretary of War.

CORINTH, March 23, 1862. (Received March 24.)

General SAMUEL JONES:

Turn over your command to Colonel Powell and report here immediately for an important command.

BRAXTON BRAGG.

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*See Smith to Johnston, March 28, p. 369.

+Answered March 29.

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