[Inclosure.]

VICKSBURG, December 27, 1862.

Major-General LORING:

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

J. C. PEMBERTON,

Lieutenant-General, Commanding.

VICKSBURG, December 28, 1862.

General JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON:

Will you send a special messenger at once for ammunition wherever it can be had; also caps; a great deficiency of both. The men will want Enfield shot.

J. C. PEMBERTON.

JACKSON, MISS., December 28, 1862.

Major-General VAN DORN, Grenada:

I wish to see at this place as soon as possible with regard to future cavalry operations.

J. E. JOHNSTON

General.

JACKSON, December 28, 1862.

Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON:

General Van Dorn and command arrived here 4 o'clock this afternoon.

W. W. LORING,

Major-General.

VICKSBURG, December 28, 1862.

Major L. MIMS,

Chief Quartermaster, Jackson, Miss.:

I have order one brigade of Maury's division to move direct to Vicksburg. Make arrangements accordingly. The brigade at Vaughan's Station will remain there for the present.

J. C. PEMBERTON,

Lieutenant-General, Commanding.

PEACH CREEK, PANOLA COUNTRY, MISSISSIPPI,

December 29, 1862-9 p. m.

Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON:

Helena and Memphis left for Vicksburg Sunday night and Monday. From 30,000 to 40,000 troops gone down the river. About 12,000 at Helena still, and General Alcorn says they are going to march by mouth of Coldwater. No troops on this side of the river. From good authority I learn that Helena is soon to be evacuated and Fort Curtis dismantled. Yankees report Memphis attacked from three directions