GENERAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS,

Numbers 18.
Meridian, Miss., November 11, 1863.

Major W. C. Preston, commanding the Reserve Artillery, is hereby appointed inspector of artillery in this department, and will be obeyed and respected accordingly.

By command of General Johnston:

BENJ. S. EWELL,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

TUPELO, MISS., November 11, 1863.

Brigadier General D. RUGGLES,

Commanding, Columbus, Miss.:

GENERAL: None of the scouts sent out by me have as yet reported. I have learned from various citizens that there are no troops at Camp Davies and but few at Corinth, and some say none at Glendale or Chewalla.

A portion of Colonel Richardson's command were on the railroad near Pocahontas last week; destroyed the road for a considerable distance and burned the depot at Middleton, without encountering any enemy.

* * * * * *

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JAS. M. BURTON.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, November 11, 1863.

Honorable SECRETARY OF WAR, Richmond, Va.:

SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the letter of General Sam. Jones referred to me by you, and at the same time a copy of a letter of Senator Henry.* I am very desirous to meet the views expressed in both these letters, and if I had the troops to spare, would willingly send them to East Tennessee. At the present time, however, I cannot detach any from this army. Whether the troops could penetrate Tennessee in the manner indicated by Mr. Henry, I am unable to decide, but at present the withdrawal of any part, and especially so large a part of this way as he speaks of, is impracticable.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. E. LEE,

General.

HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY IN NORTH MISSISSIPPI, Oxford, Miss., November 12, 1863.

Colonel R. V. RICHARDSON,

Commanding Brigade:

COLONEL: I am directed by the brigadier-general commanding to say to you that he is informed that the enemy have evacuated the line of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. He directs that you

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*See Jones to Seddon, October 26, p. 593, and Senator Henry's letter of October 24, p. 586.

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