Abstract from return of the Fourth Military District, Brigadier General John Adams, C. S. Army, commanding, for April 30, 1863; headquarters, Jackson, MISS.

Present for duty

Command Officers Men Aggregate Aggregate

present present

and

absent

District and post 9 - 9 9

headquarters

14th Mississippi 24 287 377 550

20th Mississippi 20 323 415 825

Steede's 11 119 171 645

Mississippi

battalion

Bolen's Kentucky 2 27 31 34

cavalry company

Point Coupee [LA.] 6 157 179 211

Artillery,

Companies A and C

Paroled and - 51 57 129

exchanged prisoners

Total 72 964 1,239 2,403

REMARKS. -Federal prisoners and deserters confined at Jackson:

Prisoners of war, 31 officers and 137 enlisted men; total . . . 168

Deserters, 105 enlisted men. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Aggregate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273

[APRIL 30, 1863. -For organization of the troops in the THIRD Military District, see Series I, VOL. XV, p. 1061.]

Vicksburg, May 1, 1863.

President JEFFERSON DAVIS, Richmond, Va.:

A furious battle has been going on since daylight just below Port Gibson. General Bowen reports General [E. D.] treaty killed. The Virginia Battery was captured by enemy, but retaken. Bowen says he is outnumbered trebly; he has about 8,000. Enemy can cross all his army from Hard Times to Bruinsburg, below Bayou Pierre. Large re-enforcements should be sent me from other departments. Enemy's movement threatens Jackson, and, if successful, cuts off Vicksburg and Port Hudson from the east. Am hurrying all re-enforcements I possibly can to Bowen. Enemy's success in passing our batteries has completely changed character of defense.

J. C. PEMBERTON.

WAR DEPARTMENT, Richmond, [May 1,] 1863.

General PEMBERTON, Vicksburg, MISS.:

Your dispatch to the President received. Heavy re-enforcements will be sent from General Beauregard's command. Will telegraph further intelligence in the next twenty-four hours.

J. A. SEDDON.

RICHMOND, May 1, 1863.

General PEMBERTON:

Have telegraphed to General Johnston in reference to your want of cavalry. Am trying to get you some from Southern Alabama.

JEFFERSON DAVIS.