fair opportunity. In this mountain service you want active and vigorous young men. General Williams, who is serving with him, is a man of great energy, and is fitted by nature for it; besides, he is contented, and would be acceptable to me.

With respect, I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,

W. W. LORING,

Major-General, Comdg. Dept. of Southwest Virginia.

[Indorsement.]

Has not General Marshall's resignation been accepted? If not, return it to me.

G. W. RANDOLPH.

(Referred to Secretary of War, by order General Lee, June 15, 1862.)

Abstract from field return of the Confederate forces on their arrival at Tupelo, command by General Braxton Bragg.

Infantry.

Troops. Officers. Men.

Army of the Mississippi. 2,376 27,446

Army of the West. 1,049 11,111

Cavalry.

-----

----

Grand total. 3,425 38,557

Cavalry. Artillery.

Troops. Officers. Men. Officers. Men.

Army of the ---- ---- 57 1,492

Mississippi.

Army of the ---- ---- 71 679

West.

Cavalry. 44 755 --- ----

Grand total. 44 755 128 2,171

Troops. Effective Aggregate Aggregate

total. present. present and

absent.

Army of the 31,450 36,450 60,589

Mississippi.

Army of the West. 13,140 22,661 32,737

Cavalry. 775 977 1,430

Grand total. 2,171 60,235 94,756

HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DEPARTMENT, Tupelo, June 10, 1862.

Col. N. B. FORREST,
Commanding Cavalry:

COLONEL: The general commanding directs that you would organize parties to burn cotton within your reach, especially on this side of the Tennessee River, directing that the officer in command give receipts for the number of bales thus destroyed.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. R. CHISOLM,

Aide-de-Camp.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Tupelo, Miss., June 10, 1862.

Brigadier-General CHALMERS,

Commanding Cavalry, Army of the Mississippi:

GENERAL: The general commanding directs that you take command of all the cavalry in front of the Army of the Mississippi. Two regiments of General Polk's are at Saltillo-Colonels Adams and Slemons. They are to remain and throw strong pickets to the front. They connect on the right with Van Dornt's cavalry at the steam saw-mill, 1 1/2 to