and should be attended to. He endeavored to get in by way of the Vicksburg and Warrenton road. You may possibly get some information from the party.

I am, general, respectfully, yours,

J. G. LAUMAN.

[Inclosures.]

JACKSON, May 25, 1863

Lieutenant General J. C. PEMBERTON:

My last note was returned by the bearer. Two hundred thousand caps have been sent. It will be continued as they arrive. Bragg is sending a DIVISION; ; when it comes I will move to you. Which do you think the best route? How and where is the enemy encamped? What is your force?

J. E. Johnston,

JACKSON, MISS, May 27, 1863.

Lieutenant J. W. GIBSON:

SIR: You will proceed to Vicksburg in charge of a detail of four men with percussion caps. You will deliver them to General Pemberton as soon as possible. Should find it necessary to have other horses than those you take with you, authority is given you to impress as many horses as you may require.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. WHITFIELD,

Major and Assistant Chief Quartermaster.

HELENA, ARK., May 30, 1863.

Major General U. S. GRANT:

Commanding Department of the Tennessee:

GENERAL: From information received, I am led to believe that you have in your [department] a surplus of artillery. In view of this post has become very much reduced, and for the further reason that we are continually threatened with attack I would respectfully request that at an early moment you send me four 6-pounders and two 12-pounder howitzers. I deem this, general, important, if it is possible for you to spare them.

I have the honor to be, yours, very respectfully,

B. M. PRENTISS.

[Indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE:

In the Field, near Vicksburg, June 2, 1863.

Respectfully referred to Major General S. A. Hurlbut, commanding SIXTEENTH Army Corps, who will supply Major-General Prentiss with the artillery he requires. One of the six-gun or two of the four-gun batteries of General Smith's DIVISION can be left at Helena.

By order of Major-General Grant:

JNO. A. RAWLINS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.