HOLLY SPRINGS, December 22, 1862.

Major General U. S. GRANT:

Cavalry mostly here; they may as well be at the front. Leave me all you can spare of them.

C. C. MARSH,

Colonel, Commanding.

OXFORD, MISS, December 22, 1862.

Colonel C. C. MARSH, Holly Springs, Miss.:

Send Colonel Mizner, with the Third Michigan Cavalry, through to Grand Junction and Bolivar, if necessary, to ascertain the condition of the road to our rear and to re-establish the garrisons, if they have been deserted. Send the balance back here.

U. S. GRANT,

Major-General.

HOLLY SPRINGS, December 22, [1862].

General GRANT:

I never saw your instructions to the cavalry, and was not informed that you had given such orders.

C. C. MARSH,

Colonel, Commanding.

OXFORD, MISS., December 22, 1862.

Brigadier General C. S. HAMILTON,

Abbeville or Holly Springs:

Concentrate one of your divisions at Holy Springs and one at Waterford. I will give Quinby directions here. They will not move on toward Corinth without further directions, unless you get information making it necessary.

U. S. GRANT,

Major-General.

WATERFORD, December 22, 1862.

General GRANT:

Two dispatches received. McArthur's division goes to Holly Springs to-night. Ross stop here. Will push cavalry to the north. If no cavalry at hand will send forward Marsh with brigade to-night.

Shall be in Holly in one hour.

C. S. HAMILTON,

Brigadier-General.

HOLLY SPRINGS, December 22, 1862.

General GRANT:

Marsh starts soon with four regiments. Grierson is here; also Lee. Can use both to great advantage in heading off Van Dorn. Shall I keep both?

HAMILTON.