soon as practicable. This authority is thus given in order that the officers so appointed and assigneed my enter upon their respective duties with the least possible delay.

G. W. C. LEE,

[17 and 20.] Colonel and Aide-de-Camp.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HEADQUAERTERS, Numbers 7.
Chattanooga, December 15, 1862.

I. Under the President's instructions, four brigades of Lieutenant General E. Kirby Smith's corps, now at Readyville, will be detached forthwith under the command of Major-General Stevenson, to re-enforce temporarily the army in Mississippi. The brigades will be designated by Lieutenant-General Smith. Their field transportation and artillery horses will join them in Mississippi by such route as General Bragg may designate. The field will follow the troops by railroad.

II. Major General F. Garner and Brigadier-General Maxey will report to Lieutenant General J. C. Pemberton.

* * * *

By command of General J. E. Johnston:

Benj. S. EWEELL,
[17.] Assistant Adjutant-General.

RICHMOND, VA., December 15, 1862.

Brigadier General H. MARSHALL:

Send here your two Virginia regiments, if you can spare them without imminent risk*.

JAMES A. SEDDON,

[20.] Secretary of War.

TOP SWEET SPRINGS MOUNTAIN,

December 20, 1862. (Via Dublin).

General S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va.:

The enemy finding this point guraded, turned of form Scott's and went toward Covington. They may attempt to cross from Rich Patch to Dunlap's Creek. Echols is blockading that road. I am informed from three different sources that they have bruned a number of their wagons, killed their broken-down horses, lost much of their ammunition, and are traveling in haste. I have seen this morning a large fire in their direction of Jackson's River or bridge.

SAM. JONES,

[20.] Major-General.

VICKSBURG, MISS., December 21 [?], 1862.

General T. H. HOLMES,

Commanding Trans-Mississippi Dept., Little Rock, Ark.:

GENERAL: Inclosed I have the honor to transmit to you copies of letters+ from General Johnston and from Major-General Smith in rela-

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* For roply, see VOL. XX, Part II, p. 450.

+ See Johnston to Davis, VOL. XVII, Part II, p. 800. Smith's letter not found. For Holmes to Johnston, in reply to letter transmitted by Davis, see VOL. XVII, Part II, p. 810.

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