HDQRS. SUB. DEPT., 2nd DIST., DEPT. OF MISS AND E. LA., Vicksburg, Miss., December 19, 1862.

Major R. H. CUNEY,
Chief of Subsistence, Jackson, Miss.:

DEAR SIR: It is impossible for me to carry out the orders of the generals commanding the department and district to lay in supplies for six months, according to my letters to you of the 2nd and 4th instant, without assistance from you, as I must rely on your post for some of the stores needed. I must again call your attention to the necessity of will be required here, in my letters alluded to, I have only received notice of shipments of some 500 small sacks salt and 200 tierces rice, only a small portion of which have yet been received. Keep me fully advised of the stores to be sent here and what I can rely on. This matter is very important, and if there is to be any failure to comply with orders the responsibility must attach where it properly belongs.

I telegraphed for funds this morning. Please forward at once.

Very respectfully,

T. B. REED,

Major and Commissary of Subsistence.

VICKSBURG, December 21, 1862.

Major-General LORING,

Grenada, Miss.:

Direct General Price to put himself and corps in readiness to move at once to the defense of Vicksburg. You will be notified by telegram when to move.

J. C. PEMBERTON,

Lieutenant-General, Commanding.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT Numbers 2, Numbers 66.
Murfreesborough, Tenn., December 18, 1862.

I. Stevenson's division, Smith's corps, will immediately move to Chattanooga, thence to Mississippi, via Mobile, and report to Lieutenant-General Pemberton:

* * * * *

By command of General Bragg:

GEO. G. GARNER,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

JACKSON, MISS., December 19, 1862.

Major General MARTIN L. SMITH,

Vicksburg:

President Davis and myself leave here by train this evening for Vicksburg with six staff officers.

J. E. JOHNSTON.

VICKSBURG, MISS., December 22, 1862.

Mr. PRESIDENT: From such information as I have been able to obtain I think that we shall require, to hold this department and the Mississippi River, an active army of about 40,000 men to oppose the troops of Grant and Banks, and garrisons at Vicksburg and Port Hudson ca-