HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
Milldale, Miss., June 19, 1863.

Major-General WASHBURN,

Commanding Forces Haynes' Bluff:

GENERAL: Owing to the immediate and close connection between the forces under you command and mine, and our being isolated from the main army, I have the honor respectfully to inform you that by virtue of my seniority I assume command of the whole. You will please make your reports through these headquarters. As soon as your position has been put in a state of defense, and the battalion of engineer soldiers, the contrabands, and intrenching tools can be spared, I wish them turned over to Lieutenant-Colonel Babcock, acting chief engineer, for duty on our front. I should like to have a report of the strength and organization of your command; also a sketch of your position an location of the troops.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. G. PARKE,

Major-General.

[24.]

HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
Milldale, Miss., June 22, 1863.

Major-General GRANT:

One of the cavalrymen sent out this morning on patrol has returned and reported that a detachment of the Fourth Iowa Cavalry out beyond Bear Creek, blockading roads, were attacked by a force of 1,000 cavalry and driven back to this side of the creek. Two hundred of our men are reported missing. The rebels have not yet crossed. Re-enforcements have been sent out.

J. G. PARKE,

Major-General.

[24.]

HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
Milldate, Miss., June 22, 1863.

Lieutenant-Colonel MACFEELY,

Acting Assistant Quartermaster, General Grant's Headquarters:

By dint of hard work my quartermaster has succeeded in getting twenty wagons only for the use of my command. Now, I am not importunate nor given to complaining, but it is manifest that with but twenty wagons I cannot keep my men supplied at any considerable distance from the river. A requisition has been sent in. I must have at least 100 wagons here to-morrow, and I rely upon you to furnish them. I am in needed of axes. Please send me at once all the axes you can raise, even to 1,000.

J. G. PARKE,

Major-General, Commanding.

[24.]

HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
Milldate, June 22, 1863.

Major General C. C. WASHBURN,

Commanding Detachment Sixteenth Army Corps:

GENERAL: I have just received a dispatch from General Grant of which the inclosed is a copy.* In accordance therewith you will please

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* See VOL. XXIV, Part III, p. 428.

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