at Ferguson's, about a mile to a mile and a half from the intrenchments. Another column of dust is seen on the Baldwin road, between Ferguson's and Four-Mile Bridge; about one brigade has passed.

The skirmishers of the enemy on our left have moved to our right; they have reached the Jackson road. The skirmishing is still kept up on the left.

Very respectfully,

JNO. H. FORNEY.

[P. S.]-I now see dust on the Hall's Ferry road; it does not, however, appear to amount to much. A column of dust has been seen to our front and left of Jackson road since about 9 o'clock. Can't tell which way it is moving.

HDQRS. DEPT. MISS. AND E. La., Vicksburg, May 19, 1863.

Brigadier General John S. BOWEN:

GENERAL: Your discretion is relied upon to move where the assault is most heavy near you, and within aid of you. Look well to this, and make such disposition as an emergency requires. I am on the line, looking to our general interests. Do you so, too.

Respectfully, &c.,
J. C. PEMBERTON.

HDQRS. DEPT. MISS. AND E. La., Vicksburg, May 19, 1863.

Brigadier-General BOWEN,

Commanding, &c.:

GENERAL: The lieutenant general commanding directs me to say to you he has reason to believe there will be a heavy assault on the left of the lines to-morrow morning. He directs that you hold your command in readiness to re-enforce that point by daylight in the morning, in case it becomes necessary.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

F. M. STAFFORD,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. DEPT. MISS. AND E. La., Vicksburg, May 19, 1863.

Brigadier-General BOWEN,
Commanding, &c.:

GENERAL: The lieutenant-general commanding directs me to instruct you to hold Brigadier-General Green's brigade on the Jackson road, so as to support Brigadier-General Hebert's position. Colonel [F. M.] Cockrell's you will hold ready to support General Smith's right or General Hebert's left. They must be in the positions before daylight in the morning.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

F. M. STAFFORD,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. DEPT. MISS. AND E. La., Vicksburg, May 19, 1863.

Major-General FORNEY,

Commanding, &c.:

GENERAL: The lieutenant-general commanding directs me to say to you that he has reason to believe that there will be a heavy assault on