JACKSON, December 17, 1862.

General PEMBERTON,

Grenada:

The following telegram just received:

COLUMBUS, December 17, 1862.

Captain HOOE:

Copy of dispatch:

"EGYPT, 16th.

"Colonel ADAMS:

"Force of 300 which burned Shannon Depot was from Oxford and has returned. Force stationary at Tupelo, 2, 500 infantry, nine pieces of artillery, and some cavalry; force at Pontotoc probably 1,000 cavalry, with artillery, not advancing, but ravaging country. I do not think their demonstration is now threatening to Columbus, though such may have been their original intention. I retreated to this place last night, the better to counteract any possible movement by way of Fulton and Aberdeen, and also apprehending attack from Pontotoc. I need more cavalry.

"BARTEAU,

"Colonel, &c."

JOHN ADAMS,

Colonel, &c.

DANIEL RUGGLES.

COLUMBUS, December 17, 1862.

Captain HOOPE:

Copy of dispatch from Barteau forwarded; consider Barteau more reliable; hope to hear from him to-morrow. Arsenal machinery taken down and work stopped. Enemy not nearer than Okolona. All prepared for defense.

JOHN ADAMS,

Colonel, &c.

JACKSON, MISS., December 17, 1862.

Brigadier-General MACKALL,

Mobile, Ala.:

I send you copy of telegram just received:

COLUMBUS, December 17, 1862.

Enemy have burned Okolona; their cavalry reported near West Point. Enemy advancing in direction of Aberdeen.

JOHN ADAMS.

I have sent Colonel Coleman's regiment to Columbus; no more troops to send. Can you send a force to protect the railroad above Columbus?

DANIEL RUGGLES,

Brigadier-General.

SPECIAL ORDERED,
HDQRS. ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Numbers 7.
Grenada, December 17, 1862.

I. The brigade of Brigadier-General Vaughn, just arrived at this point, is assigned to the command of Major-General Maury, Second Corps, and will report accordingly.

* * * * * *

By order of Lieutenant-General Pemberton:

R. W. MEMMINGER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.