HDQRS. DEPT. OF MISSISSIPPI AND EAST LOUISIANA,
Vicksburg, December 31, 1862.

Colonel WHITFIELD, Yazoo City:

COLONEL: The lieutenant-general commanding directs that you move your cavalry across the Yazoo and march with caution and celerity to Haines Bluff, opposite Snyder's Mill, at which point, or just below, it is supported the enemy is constructing mortar or other batteries. If this party be small and you think it can be accomplished you will attacked and break up this work, taking the precaution to dismounted before bringing your men into action. You will procure the best guide the country affords. You will have to make your own way if there no good road. Move rapidly, but with caution.

I am, colonel

J. H. MORRISON,

Aide-de-Camp.

HEADQUARTERS FORCES IN THE TRENCHES,
December 31, 1862.

COLONEL: I have granted the enemy a truce of four hours, commencing at 1 p. m., to enable them to bury their dead.

I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. L. STEVENSON,

Major-General, Commanding.

Abstract from Mortly Return of the troops in the Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana, commanded by Lieutenant General J. C. Pemberton, for December, 1862.

Troops Pres Presen Prese Prese Pres Prese Aggreg Aggr

. ent t for nt nt ent nt ate egat

for duty. for for for for presen e

duty duty. duty. duty duty. t. pres

. . ent

and

abse

nt.

Troops Infa Infant Caval Caval Arti Artil Aggreg Aggr

. ntry ry. ry. ry. ller lery. ate egat

. y. presen e

t. pres

ent

and

abse

nt.

Troops Offi Men. Offic Men. Offi Men.

. cers ers. cers

. .

First 798 9,671 ... ... ... ... 12,284 17,9

Corps, 80

Army

North

Missis

sippi.

Second 714 9,187 ... ... ... ... 11,726 20,7

Corps, 31

Army

North

Missis

sippi.

Cavalr ... ... 246 3,607 ... ... 4,432

y 4,43

corps. 2

Cavalr ... ... 2 27 ... ... 51 53

y

escort

.

Vaughn 110 1,508 ... ... ... ... 1,730

's 2,73

(Tenne 4

ssee)

brigad

e.

First ... ... 14 140 10 161 476

Milita 849

ry

Distri

ct.

Second 258 3,173 45 563 46 863 6,757

Milita 8,42

ry 6

Distri

ct.

Third 570 6,939 31 208 34 545 10,685 14,9

Milita 50

ry

Distri

ct.

Grand 2,45 30,478 338 4,545 90 1,569 48,141 70,1

total. 0 55