TUPELO, MISS., May 10, 1864.

(Via Meridian 11th.)

Major General S. D. LEE:

General Forrest is absent. I have just received the subjoined:

NEAR LAMAR, May 9, 1864.

(Via Holly Springs, 10th.)

Five regiments infantry, four of cavalry, General Sturgis commanding, camped night of 7th four miles WEST of Salem. Left this morning on Mount Pleasant, Lamar, and Early Grove roads, burning and destroying as they go. Supposed destination Memphis.

WM. H. BRAND,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF ALA., MISS., AND EAST LA.,
Demopolis, May 10, 1864.

Brigadier General J. R. CHALMERS,

Commanding DIVISION:

GENERAL: I am directed by the major-general commanding department to say that the War Department wishes battalion organizations to [be] avoided as far as possible. In accordance with that policy, you will take such unattached companies as may be within your reach and add them to such battalions as you may have, in order to form regiments of them. Wherever this is done you will recommend the appointment of officers, taking care to forward at the same time full and complete muster-rolls of all the companies, in order to secure prompt action upon the nomination.

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

POWHATAN ELLIS, JR.,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[MAY 10, 1864. -For abstract from return of the Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana, see Vol. XXXVIII, Part IV, p. 691.]

Strength of Forrest's Cavalry, Major General N. B. Forrest, C. S. Army commanding, May 10, 1864, as shown by inspection reports; headquarters Tupelo, Miss.

Effective Aggregate Aggregate

Troops. total. present. present

and absent

Chalmers' DIVISION 4,067 4,743 7,384

Buford's DIVISION 3,587 4,122 5,999

Gholson's brigade 1,213 1,469 2,707

Artillery 268 321 431

Provost guards and escorts 85 97 220

Total 9,220 10,752 16,741