Black River. Whether he will attack or not, I look upon now as doubtful. No doubt he would, however, if I should weaken my force to any extent. I have sent into Louisiana to learn the movements of Kirby Smith, but as yet hear nothing definite.

Should it be my fortune, general, to get into Vicksburg whilst you are still investing Port Hudson, I will commence immediately shipping troops to you, and will send such number as you may indicate as being necessary.

The troops of this command are in excellent health and spirits. There is not the slightest indication of despondency either among officers or men.

Hoping to hear favorable news from your field operations by the return of Colonel Smith, I remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

U. S. GRANT.

HERRON'S HEADQUARTERS, June 30, 1863.

Major-General GRANT:

Deserters in to-day report provisions exceedingly scarce and a bad feeling among the troops. Mules were killed this morning and the meat distributed to the troops. They confirm the report of General Martin [E.] Green's death. He commanded the SECOND Brigade of Bowen's DIVISION.

F. J. HERRON.

Abstract from return of the Department of the Tennessee, Major General Ulysses S. Grant, U. S. Army, commanding, for June 30, 1863. *

Present for duty.

Aggregat Aggregat

e e

Command. Officers Men. present present

and

absent.

General headquarters:

Staff and escort (not

reported) --- --- --- ---

Engineer troops 10 381 427 562

NINTH Army Corps#

(Parke):

Staff 13 --- 13 14

First DIVISION

(Welsh) 214 3,569 4,461 5,926

SECOND DIVISION

(Potter) 241 3,294 4,097 5,838

Reserve Artillery 3 118 132 148

Total NINTH Army

Corps 471 6,981 8,703 11,926

Thirteenth Army Corps

(Ord):

Staff and escort 11 41 63 88

Pioneers 6 272 307 322

NINTH DIVISION

(Osterhaus) 189 2,637 3,831 5,857

Tenth DIVISION (A.

J. Smith) 238 3,015 4,286 6,667

Twelfth DIVISION

(Hovey) 240 3,935 4,996 6,981

Fourteenth DIVISION

(Carr) 153 2,889 4,372 5,999

Cavalry## 122 1,991 4,610 3,347

Dist. of East

Arkansas (Prentiss). 198 3,883 5,160 6,532

Total Thirteenth Army

Corps. 1,157 18,663 25,625 35,793

Pieces of artillery.

Command. Heavy. Field. Headquarte

rs.

General headquarters:

Staff and escort (not

reported) --- --- Near

Vicksburg,

MISS.

Engineer troops --- ---

NINTH Army Corps#

(Parke):

Staff --- --- Do.

First DIVISION

(Welsh) --- 6 Do.

SECOND DIVISION

(Potter) --- 4 Do.

Reserve Artillery --- 6 Do.

Total NINTH Army

Corps --- 16

Thirteenth Army Corps

(Ord):

Staff and escort --- --- Do.

Pioneers --- --- Do.

NINTH DIVISION

(Osterhaus) --- 22 Do.

Tenth DIVISION (A.

J. Smith) --- 12 Do.

Twelfth DIVISION

(Hovey) --- 12 Do.

Fourteenth DIVISION

(Carr) 5 9 Do.

Cavalry## --- --- Do.

Dist. of East

Arkansas (Prentiss). --- 13 Helena,

Ark.

Total Thirteenth Army

Corps. 5 68

---------------

*Compiled from the subordinate returns. For composition of the forces operating against Vicksburg at this date, see Part II, PAGE 148.

#Transferred, June 3-17, from Department of the Ohio.

##Including Bussey's brigade, at Snyder's Bluff, the cavalry with Osterhaus' DIVISION, and that, other than escort, attached to corps headquarters.

---------------