officers of junior grades, both of the old army and the volunteers, promoted, and brigadier-generals made of men who are juniors in rank and service to the lieutenants commanding in my squadron. The succoring and keeping of our army as long as they did remain at New Madrid was due to the small force under my command, and without these gunboats they would never have left that place, and this is not only my opinion, but that of the two generals commanding that army, and yet no word of encouragement is given to officers or crews. I will do General McCown the justice to say that in all official intercourse with him I have yet to find an instance in which he has not treated [me] with courtesy and attention and paid the respect due my position here.

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I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. N. HOLLINS,

Flag-Officer.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI,

Numbers 5.
Corinth, Miss., April 1, 1862.

The troops of the First and Third Army Corps and of the several detached brigades of the forces will be placed in readiness for a field movement and to meet the enemy within twenty-four hours, to which end all commanders will assure themselves that their commands are severally provided with the ammunition required in previous orders, and will see that General Orders, Nos. 4 and 9, from the headquarters of General Beauregard, and published to their troops and enforced in all particulars.

By command of General A. S. Johnston:

THOMAS JORDAN,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI,

Numbers 3.
Corinth, Miss., April 1, 1862.

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IV. The brigade of four regiments of Texas cavalry, under command of Colonel M. T. Johnson, senior colonel, will repair with the least possible delay, by the nearest practicable land route, to these headquarters.

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By command of General A. S. Johnston:

THOMAS JORDAN,

Assistant Adjutant-General.