MORTON, August 27, 1863.

General S. COOPER,

Richmond:

The following dispatch just received from Brigadier-General Chalmers:

GRENADA, August 26.

Henderson's scouts report General Grant passed up river 21st; force at Memphis about 10,000. Rumor of expedition fitting out for Arkansas. Three boats of troops from Memphis and Charleston Railroad went down river 21st, destination unknown.

J. E. JOHNSTON.

Abstract from field return of Loring's division, Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana, Major General William W. Loring, C. S. Army, commanding, August 27, 1863; headquarters Newton, Miss.

Present for duty.

Infantry Artillery.

Troops. Officers. Men. Officers. Men.

Adams'brigade 126 1,445 4 100

Buford's 206 1,829 1 93

brigade

Featherston's 100 1,092 10 214

brigade

Total 432 4,366 15 407

Troops. Effective Aggregate Aggregate Aggregate

total. present. present and last

absent. return.

Adams'brigad 1,529 1,949 4,462 4,458

e

Buford's 1,879 2,584 5,071 5,126

brigade

Featherston' 1,286 1,653 3,840 3,836

s brigade

Total 4,094 6,186 13,373 13,420

MORTON, August 27, 1863.

Brigadier-General RUGGLES,

Columbus:

Keep your cavalry at the northern edge of the productive country.

J. E. JOHNSTON.

MORTON, August 27, 1863.

Major General S. D. LEE,

Okolona:

General Jackson reports enemy falling back. If Colonel Richardson, of West Tennessee, is at Okolona, see his authority from War Department, and take measures if you can to have his men mustered by a competent officer-those he now has and such as he may raise. I find West Tennessee is in my department.

J. E. JOHNSTON.

MORTON, August 27, 1863.

Major General S. D. LEE,

Okolona:

Ferguson's cavalry is too far south; it should be near the northern edge of the productive country.

J. E. JOHNSTON.