MOBILE, February 4, 1864.

Major-General LORING,

Canton:

You will take command of the military operations on the western front of the department until further orders. General Forrest has been ordered to leave a force sufficient to check the enemy on the Tennessee front and to move with the whole of the rest of his force to Grenada. General French has been ordered with his division to Jackson, where he now is. Generals French, Lee, and Forrest have been advised that you have been placed in command.

L. POLK,

Lieutenant-General.

MOBILEE, February 4, 1864.

Generals LEE and FRENCH,

Jackson, Miss.:

General Loring has been placed in command of the military operations on the western front of the department until further orders.

L. POLK,

Lieutenant-General.

CANTON, February 4, 1864.

General FRENCH or SENIOR OFFICER:

Please take command of all the troops in Jackson and have them prepared with three days' cooked rations. I have ordered the Third Mississippi, near Jackson, to that place. Have all the heavy baggage sent to the rear. I have my division concentrated here and awaiting information from General Lee. Major Holt will give you all information from the Yazoo River.

W. W. LORING,

Major-General.

CANTON, February 4, 1864 - 4 p. m.

Major-General FRENCH:

Have all the public stores and everything not indispensable sent to Morton. Countermand the order for telegraph operator with instruments to go to Madison. Acknowledge receipt of this.

W. W. LORING,

Major-General.

JACKSON, MISS.,

February 4, 1864 - 5 p. m.

General L. POLK,

Meridian, Miss.:

Have just arrived. Cannot keep three days' rations cooked on hand. What is the commissary doing that rations are not here? Hurry up the artillery horses and the transportation. None here.

S. G. FRENCH,

Major-General.