Shallleave Major General S. Jones in command at Mobile and take Forney, who desires it, to the field. We need division commanders. Withers and Taylor were asked for. I recommended Henry Little and Franklin Gardner, brigadiers, for promotion after tehm.*

BRAXTON BRAGG.

[17.]

VICKSBURG, July 24, 1862

(Received 25th.)

President DAVIS:

The whole of the lower fleet and all the troops have disappeared down the river. The upper fleet in movement, but still at anchorage. Ran one transport ashore above with light battery and burnt her. Mail taken with interesting accounts of the Arkansas.

EARL VAN DORN,

Major-General.

[15.]

JACKSON, July 27, 1862.

JEFFERSON DAVIS,

President, Richmond, Va.:

Captain Brown shall have a crew. All of the enemy's baots and troops have left Vicksburg- now threatniong west portion of the State. Only 1,000 stand of arms have reached me. Much more needed.+

JOHN J. PETTUS.

[17.]

OXFORD, July 28, 1862.

JEFFERSON DAVIS,

President, Richmond, Va.:

The Federals are sweeping this country of its negroes. They have, with bodies of armed men, driven off nearly all the negroes in Arkansas. Phillips County they have neither work stock, corn, nor meat, and rob and plunder the houses. They shoot the negroes attempting to escape, and handcuff and chain those refusing to go. They have driven off all I had- men, women, and children- nealy 400 in number. Can no retaliatory measures be adopted!

G. J. PILLOW,

Brigadier- General.

[17.]

SPECIAL ORDERS,
ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL'S OFFICE, Numbers 174.
Richmond, July 28, 1862.

* * * *

XIV. Major S. B. French, commissary, &c., will report to Major General E. K. Smith, commanding Department of East Tennessee, for duty with Brigadier General C. L. Stevenson as division commissary.

* * * *

By command of the Secretary of War:

John WITHERS,
Assistnt Adjutant-General.

[16.]

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*For reply, see Davis to Bragg, VOL. XVII, Part III, p. 659.

+This in reply to Davis, VOL. XVII, Part II, p. 655.

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