be within a few miles of this place, and advancing upon it. A force is also reported to be advancing through Hernando. The order for the scouts to go to Brown's Ferry has been countermanded. The general directs that you build the bridge over Yazoo Pass at once .

Abstract from field return of the First DIVISION, Army of Mississippi and Eastern Louisiana, Major General W. W. Loring, C. S. Army, commanding, for May 24, 1863; headquarters, Jackson, MISS.

Present for

duty.

Command. Offic Men. Effec Aggre Aggrega

ers. tive gate te

total prese present

prese nt. and

nt. absent.

First brigade, Colonel 135 1,218 1,264 1,460 3,330

[A. E.] Reynolds

SECOND brigade, 136 1,373 1,381 1,684 3,552

brigadier-General

Featherston

THIRD Brigade, 245 2,152 2,217 2,634 4,819

brigadier-General Buford

Total 516 4,743 4,862 5,778 11,701

Abstract from tri-monthly return of the First Military District, Brigadier General Daniel Ruggles, C. S. Army, commanding, for May 24, 1863; headquarters, Columbus, MISS.

Present for duty.

Command. Office Men. Aggrega Aggreg

rs. te ate

present presen

. t and

absent

Field and staff 10 -- 10 10

Cavalry 112 1,722 2,193 2,703

Artillery 9 159 187 282

Total 131 1,881 2,390 2,995

REMARKS. - The SECOND Alabama Cavalry at Prairie Mound, MISS., The First Alabama Cavalry at Okolona, MISS., the Thirteenth [Alabama] Partisan Rangers, Twelfth Mississippi Battalion, and SECOND Tennessee Cavalry in the vicinity of Okolona, MISS. Rice's and Thrall's companies (heavy artillery) at Columbus, MISS.

JACKSON, May 25, 1863.

(Received May 29.)

Lieutenant-General 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.

HDQRS. DEPT. MISS. AND E. La., Vicksburg, MISS., May 25, 1863.

Major General MARTIN L. SMITH, Commanding, &c.:

I am lieutenant-general commanding to say to you to send at once to the extreme right two of your best Louisiana regiments