The corn in the counties mentioned is in the shuck, and you are aware it would very much expedite transportation to have it shelled and sacked, and for that purpose it would be well to procure a negro force, with corn-shellers, sacks, &c., and send in to De Soto County and have it properly sacked, should you deem it necessary to send in after the corn; also sacks for wheat.

One other point; that is, if you conclude to get the supplies out of Northern Mississippi, that all agents send there by you be instructed to give a uniform price (the same price), and all agents report to some man that you may designate. I mention this in order that speculators may be driven off, and that those having an agency from some other commissary for the purpose of speculation be brought under the same instructions. I mention this from the fact that I know that the people are being, and have been, imposed upon by speculators, and the soldiers deprived of a considerable quantity of subsistence.

All of which is respectfully submitted to your consideration.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. P. ATKINS.

OFFICE OF POST COMMISSARY, Jackson, May 29, 1863.

Colonel HARVIE, Adjutant and Inspector GENERAL:

COLONEL: I have the honor to inform you that the troops at this point are supplied with three days' rations, and that the mill 6 miles from here has 2,000 bushels of corn now grinding at the rate of 25 bushels an hour, at which rate, allowing them to grind twenty hours a day, would give 500 bushels, which 50 pounds to the bushel, given us 25,000 pounds, or 22,000 rations. I have in store 5,000 rations of meal and 40,000 rations of bacon. There is also in store in this place, belonging to General McNairs brigade, %,000 rations of meal and 40,000 rations of bacon, which I respectfully ask may be turned over to me for the use of the troops at this point, as that brigade is now drawing their supplies at Canton.

I append the following summary:

Rations.

On hand in my store, meal. . . . . . . . . . . 5,000

On hand in my store, bacon. . . . . . . . . . 40,000

McNair's meal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,000

McNair's bacon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40,000

Now grinding per day, meal. . . . . . . . . . 22,000

The supply of beef, sugar, salt, and molasses is ample for the present.

T. L. MAXWELL,

Captain and Assistant Commissary of Subsistence.

Vicksburg, May 30, 1863.

General JOSEPH E. Johnston:

Scouts report the enemy to have withdrawn most of his forces from our right yesterday, leaving Hall's Ferry road open; I apprehend for a movement against you. I expect this courier to return to me.

J. C. PEMBERTON .

HDQRS. DEPT. MISS. AND E. La., Vicksburg, May 30, 1863.

Brigadier General John S. BOWEN, Commanding:

Lieutenant [Harris] Wilkerson, commanding Company B, first Missouri Regiment, has volunteered his service with his company to burn