the Mississippi at the point at which the enemy's boats are found and in the rivers above. Beyond all he must be a man of coolness, nerve, and judgment, and one whose whole heart is in our cause. Such a man is Colonel Richmond, who has been a member of my staff for many months-a man I know well-and who, in my opinion, is better adapted to that service than any man I know in or out of the Naval service. Colonel Richmond has served for eight years in the Navy. I believe his appointment to that command of great importance to our cause, and I shall be glad to see it made.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

L. POLK,

Major-General, Commanding.

P. S.-As to the battle of the 6th and 7th, I refer you to Colonel Richmond. I have nominated two of my colonels for promotion-Colonel Preston Smith and Colonel George Maney. Both distinguished themselves, and both are highly competent for brigade commanders. I need them both badly.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI,

No. 27. Corinth, Miss., April 15, 1862.

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IX. The Third Army Corps will guard and hold in observation the road from Farmington to the south as far as intersection with the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. Major-General Hardee will post one regiment at Farmington, and will maintain a line of infantry posts and pickets in front of the road indicated. Cavalry pickets will also be established on the same flank by General Gardner, to act in concert, as prescribed in General Orders, No. 5, from these headquarters, dated Jackson, Tenn., March 17, 1862.

* * * * * * *

By command of General Beauregard:

THOMAS JORDAN,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

Abstract from field return of the Army of the Mississippi, commanded by General G. T. Beauregard, April 15, 1862.

[Headquarters, Corinth, Miss.]

P r e s e n t f o r d u t y.

Infantry. Cavalry.

Troops. Officers. Men. Officers.

First Army Corps 461 7,198 ---

Second Army Corps 590 8,455 58

Third Army Corps 425 4,305 29

Reserve 379 4,734 1

Fort Pillow 142 2,189 ---

Grand total 1,997 26,881 88

P r e s e n t f o r d u t y.

Cavalry. Artillery.

Troops. Men. Officers. Men.

First Army Corps --- 18 386

Second Army Corps 687 19 487

Third Army Corps 346 8 272

Reserve 41 25 489

Fort Pillow --- 22 438

Grand total 1,074 92 2,072

Troops. Effective Aggregate Aggregate

total. present. present and

absent.

First Army Corps 7,972 10,478 14,307

Second Army Corps 10,350 16,605 20,388

Third Army Corps 5,523 8,625 12,214

Reserve 5,777 7,821 12,519

Fort Pillow 2,766 3,326 3,858

Grand total 32,388 46,885 63,286