CIRCULAR.]* HEADQUARTERS Fifteenth ARMY CORPS,

Walnut Hills, May 26, 1863

It has been reported by several deserters that an attempt was to have been made last night by the enemy to cut their way out; that the signals were given, but the men failed to respond.

The general commanding directs that the utmost vigilance be exercised by the troops along our front to prevent the enemy succeeding, should they contemplate a like attempt to-night.

By order of Major General W. T. Sherman:

L. M. DAYTON,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPT OF THE TENNESSEE. Numbers 141.
In Field, near Vicksburg, MISS., May 26, 1863.

I. Three brigades will be immediately detached from the Fifteenth and SEVENTEENTH Army Corps, each, including the brigade at Hayne's Bluff. The whole will be under the temporary command of Major General F. P. Blair.

The troops from the Fifteenth Army Corps will proceed immediately to Haynes' Bluff. # Those form the SEVENTEENTH Army Corps will move by the Oak Ridge road to Sulphur Springs. At or near the latter place a junction will be formed between all the forces, when they will move upon and drive out the enemy now collecting between the Black and Yazoo Rivers.

The expedition will carry in haversacks and wagons seven days' rations of bread, salt, and coffee, and 150 rounds of ammunition, including that in cartridge-boxes.

The commanding officer of the expedition will report at these headquarters for special instructions.

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By order of Major General U. S. Grant:

[JOHN A. RAWLINS,]

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Before Vicksburg, May 26, 1863. - 9 p. m.

Major-General LOGAN, Comdg. THIRD DIVISION:

GENERAL: I have directed the Sixty-THIRD Illinois and four companies of the Eighty-seventh to report to you t-night. Instruct General Leggett to move with his brigade toward Sulphur Springs, on the Benton road, at 11. 30 to-night. He can march his command 6 or 8 miles, and halt them in a good position for the night, and then march early in the morning until he reaches the position, where he will report in person, for orders, to Brigadier-General McArthur. Major-General Grant informs me that a deserter states that the rebels will make an attempt to cut their way out to-night. You will instruct your pickets to be particularly vigilant, and have your command posted so as to best resist any attempt of this kind, and at the same time prevent our men from falling into confusion. Instruct the brigade and regimental command-

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*To DIVISION commanders.

#The First Brigade, First DIVISION, and SECOND Brigade, SECOND DIVISION, Fifteenth Army Corps, and First Brigade, THIRD DIVISION, SEVENTEENTH Army Corps, designated for this service.

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