lose his services, as you anticipate, it is not deemed necessary to supply his place by the appointment of a citizen. Some officer can be selected who will be ordered to report to you for that purpose.

He also instructs me to say that there is no general order on the subject of impressment of negro labor. In some special cases, where the public exigencies demanded it, negro labor has been impressed, discriminating, however, against all hands employed in the production of cotton. Should an extreme case occur you are authorized to exercise this power. The exercise of such a power, however, should be abstained from if possible.

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

GEORGE WM. BRENT.

GENERAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DEPARTMENT, Number 74. Tupelo, June 17, 1862.

The general commanding takes pleasure in calling the attention of the armies of this department to the gallant conduct of Captain B. B. McCaa, and his command of Brewer's cavalry regiment on the morning of the 14th instant, when by a bold and dashing charge he put to flight a superior force of the enemy's cavalry. In this affair Private John Graham was especially distinguished, and will be rewarded with the badge of honor on some suitable occasion.

This success should teach our cavalry forces what they can accomplish by bravery and daring, and should incite them to like deeds of valor.

By command of General Beauregard:

GEORGE WM. BRENT,

Acting Chief of Staff.

GENERAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DEPARTMENT, Number 75. Tupelo, Miss., June 17, 1862.

For the benefit of his health the commander of the forces has found it necessary to take a short respite from the arduous duties of the command of this army and department, and hereby relinquishes the chief command during his absence from the limits of the Western Department to General Braxton Bragg.

By command of General Beauregard:

GEORGE WM. BRENT,

Acting Chief of Staff.

GENERAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DEPARTMENT, Number 76. Tupelo, Miss., June 17, 1862.

During the absence from the department of General Beauregard the undersigned assumes chief command of the forces of the department.

BRAXTON BRAGG,

General, C. S. Army.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DEPARTMENT, Number 85. Tupelo, Miss., June 17, 1862.

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IX. The Fourth and Seventeenth Regiments Louisiana Volunteers and all unarmed troops at Jackson and Grenada, Miss., belonging to