I send by the Rattler all the ammunition I have-about 230,000 rounds-and have telegraphed from Cairo to fill Sherman's call.

Things appear dark, for there is no question Sherman has to meet more than his own force. I am assured that a large part of Pemberton's army is there, moving in that direction as soon as Grant fell back.

We have an abundance of commissary supplies here, but nothing of ordnance. It would of commissary supplies here, but nothing of ordnance. It would be a most wretched casualty if Sherman's force should run out of ammunition.

I have here ow 2,400 sick, and the best I can do for the prisoners on the Minnehaha is to ship them up to Cairo.

Let me constantly have the last news.

Your obedient servant,

[S. A. HURLBUT,]

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS POST OF BOLIVAR,
Bolivar, Tenn., January 3, 1863.

Colonel JOHN A. RAWLINS,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

SIR: For information of Major-General Grant I inclose on next page a statement of my forces.

Of the Forty-third Illinois, Sixty-first Illinois, and Forty-third Ohio (at least 380), and all of the Twelfth Michigan are on special duty, leaving only about 460 for sudden call.

The absence of the First West Tennessee with General Dodge leaves me about 45 mounted men; they inexperienced.

I wish it understood that with my present force, small as it is, I can retire within the fortifications and repel any attack. But to do this it might be necessary to compromise the safety of the town, and as now circumscribed as to cavalry I cannot pursue or drive away the hostile forces that hover around and annoy us in a provoking manner.

Yours, &c.,

M. BRAYMAN,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

[Inclosure.]

Return of the effective forces of the Post of Bolivar, Tenn., District of Jackson, for Saturday, January 3, 1863.

Regiment, Commanding Post or Commi Enlist Aggrega

corps, or officer. station. ssion ed te.

detachments ed men.

offic

ers.

43rd Colonel Bolivar 29 371 400

Illinois Engelmann

Infantry

61st Captain do 3 60 63

Illinois Mann

Infantry

12th Colonel Middleburn 20 326 346

Michigan Graves

Infantry

43rd Ohio Colonel Bolivar 20 409 429

Infantry Swayne

Total --- --- 72 1,166 1,238

1st West Lieutenant Bolivar 9 168 177

Tennessee Smith

Cavalry

Vaughn's Captain T. do 5 101 106

Battery F. Vaughn

Grand total --- --- 86 1,435 1,521