Memphis to-night. Very many stragglers were following his column.

I learned unofficially of two orders that have been received by officers of this brigade this afternoon, signed by your adjutant-general, that did not pass this brigade headquarters. I respectfully request that if such irregularities are to continue you will at least require him to notify me of his action.

Your obedient servant,

W. P. HEPBURN,

Lieutenant Colonel Second Iowa Cavalry, Commanding Second Brigade.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE POST,
Vicksburg, Miss., February 27, 1864.

Brigadier-General SHEPARD,

Haynes' Bluff:

SIR: Complaints continue to come in of depredations being committed by armed negroes, probably deserters in the neighborhood of Oak Ridge. Send a squad under a good officer to pick them up. Let them call on Mrs. McFarland, living there. They have threatened to burn her house.

J. McARTHUR,

Brigadier-General.

LOUISVILLE, February 27, 1864

Major General U. S. GRANT,

The railroad can ship about 5,000 troops per day if the cars are returned promptly from Nashville. All troops will be sent forward as soon as they arrive.

S. G. BURBRIDGE,

Brigadier-General.

NASHVILLE, February 27, 1864.

Brigadier-General BURBRIDGE,

Louisville, Ky.:

In view of the recent enactment of the Legislature of Kentucky, that State is exempted from the operations of General Orders, Numbers 4, of date of November 5, 1863, from these headquarters.* Hereafter the civil law will be exclusively relied on in cases such as were intended to be revoked by said General Orders.

By order of Major-General Grant:

T. S. BOWERS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

GENERAL ORDERS.
HDQRS. MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,

Numbers 7.
Nashville, Tenn., February 27, 1864

The following-named officers compose the staff of the general commanding, and will be obeyed and respected accordingly:

Brigadier General John A. Rawlins, chief of staff.

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*See Vol. XXXI, Part III, p. 58.

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