GENERAL: I now have the honor to submit a report of the recent operations in the State of Mississippi:

You will remember that when in July last Vicksburg surrendered and a detachment from the Army of the Tennessee under my command had pushed the rebel army of General Johnston into and beyond Jackson, it was the purpose to go on eastward and destroy the remaining railroads of the State in and near Meridian.

The period of the year, the intense heat and drought, and the condition of our men after the long siege of Vicksburg rendered the accomplishment of the plan then impracticable, and it had to be deferred to a later period.

Events subsequently occurred during September in East Tennessee which called General Grant and my command to that quarter, but as soon as Chattanooga and Knoxville became secure and a respite was needed to repair the railroads to the rear, time and an opportunity were offered to accomplish what had before been designed.

I offered, if permitted, to break up the useless line of railroad from Memphis to Corinth, to attempt the destruction of Meridian without calling for a single man from the army in the field.

Accordingly, disposing of my then command so as to cover and assist in repairing the railroads from Nashville to Decatur and Stevenson, with General Grant's approval I returned in person to the Mississippi River, reaching Memphis January 10.

I immediately ordered General Hurlbut to abandon Corinth and all minor points, draw in all public property, and forthwith prepare for field service two good divisions of 5,000 men each, ready to embark by the 25th. I found General William Sooy Smith, chief of cavalry on General Grant's staff, at Memphis. He had come from Middle Tennessee with about 2,500 cavalry in pursuit of Forrest, who had in the meantime left West Tennessee and fallen back of the Tallahatchie. I ordered all the effective cavalry at once also to be assembled and got ready for the field. I found on General Hurlbut's tri-monthly return of January 10,1864, for duty, an aggregate of cavalry of 9,231, with 7,638 serviceable horses. This, with the 2,500 brought with General Smith, gave us over 10,000 effective cavalrymen and horses.

Having made these preliminary orders, I then hastened to Vicksburg and gave General McPherson similar orders for two divisions of infantry and artillery; then back again to Memphis, where I remained until the 27th.

In the meantime I learned the strength and distribution of the enemy I had to encounter, which was about as follows: On the 1st of February Lieutenant-General Polk, chief in command at Meridian, scattered companies of cavalry and infantry all over the State, collecting taxes and forcing conscripts--at Canton, Loring's division of infantry, 18 guns, and about 7,000 men; at Brandon, French's broken division of 10 guns and 3.000 men: two brigades subsequently joined French from Mobile, making his force about 5,000. Major-General Forrest commanded the cavalry district of North Mississippi, headquarters at Como; estimated force, 4,000. Maj. Gen. Stephen D. Lee commanded the southern district of Mississippi, headquarters at Jackson. He had General Jackson's division of three brigades, Ross', Starke's, and Wirt Adams' posted in a semicircle behind Vicksburg, and Ferguson's brigade was at this time coming to Jackson from Okolona. Lee's cavalry was about 4,000 strong.

My object was to break up the enemy's railroads at and about Meridian, and to do the enemy as much damage as possible in the month of February, and to be prepared by the 1st of March to assist General Banks in a similar dash at the Red River country, especially Shreveport, the whole to result in widening our domain along the Mississippi River, and thereby set the troops hitherto necessary to guard the river free for other military purposes.

My plan of action was as follows: General William Sooy Smith to move from Memphis by or before the 1st of February with an effective force of 7,000 cavalry lightly equipped, to march straight on -Pontotoc, Okolona, Columbus Junction (Artesia), and Meridian, to arrive there about February 10, distance 250 miles; to disregard all minor objects, to destroy railroads, bridges, corn not wanted, and strike quick and well every enemy that should offer opposition, while I with four good divisions of infantry and artillery would at the same time move from Vicksburg on the same objective points, 150 miles distant. When met at Meridian, being present in person, I could then order anew according to the then circumstances, condition of roads and time left at my disposal.

I knew full well what would be the effect of this move, and in all my orders and instructions I dwelt particularly on the point of making no detachments, but to go straight to the one sole object, leaving the minor matters to the future.

I inclose herewith my instructions to General Smith with a copy of his report, and must say it is unsatisfactory. The delay in his start to the 11th of February, when his orders contemplated his being at Meridian on the 10th, and when he knew I was marching from Vicksburg, is unpardonable, and the mode and manner of his return to Memphis was not what I expected from an intended bold cavalry movement. I know that from February 1st to the 17th all of Lees cavalry was to my front. We took daily prisoners from each brigade, so that General Smith had nothing to deal with except Forrest and the militia. I hope General Smith will make these points more clear to the general-in-chief, to whom he has returned at Nashville, as noted in his report.

My own movement was successful in an eminent degree. We left Vicksburg February 3 in two columns, General Hurlbut's by Messinger's and General McPherson's by the railroad bridge. We met no opposition till General Hurlbut's head of column reached Joe Davis' plantation, and General McPherson's the Champion Hills.

The 5th was one continued skirmish for 18 miles, but we did not allow the enemy's cavalry to impede our march, but got into Jackson that night on his heels, whipping him handsomely and utterly disconcerting his plans. Loring and French were marching at the time to concentrate with the cavalry at Jackson, but were too late. We got into Jackson first, secured their pontoon bridge, repaired it, and commenced crossing Pearl River on the 6th, and on the 7th marched into Brandon.

Next day, the 8th, the head of column reached Line Creek, 5 miles from Morton, and on the 9th we entered Morton, General McPherson leading. I halted him there for the balance of the day to break railroads, and gave General Hurlbut the lead, and he kept it all the way into Meridian. Our march was steady and easy by Hillsborough and Decatur. Though cavalry moved on our flanks they gave us little concern, save in scaring in our stragglers and foraging parties. At the Tallahatta. 20 miles from Meridian, we found the road obstructed with fallen timber, and, satisfied the enemy was trying to save time to cover the removal of railroad property from Meridian, I dropped our trains with good escorts and pushed on over all obstructions straight for the Oktibbeha, where we found the bridge burning. A large cotton gin, however, close by gave us good material, and a couple of hours sufficed for a new bridge, and we entered Meridian at 3.30 p.m. of the 14th with little opposition, and that was soon overcome by a battalion of Colonel Winslow's cavalry fighting on foot.

French's division had gone the night before and Loring's before day that morning, Lee's cavalry covering their retreat. General Polk had left for Demopolis at 10.30 that morning in the cars. One locomotive and a train were burning as we reached the depot, but all other rolling-stock had been removed to Mobile or toward Selma, 107 miles distant. I knew we could not overtake the enemy before he would cross the Tombigbee, and in fact I was willing to gain our point without battle, at so great a distance from the river, where the care of wounded men would have so taxed our ability to provide for them.

So I rested the army on the 15th, and on the 16th began a systematic and thorough destruction of the railroads centering at Meridian. The immense depots, warehouses, and length of sidetrack demonstrated the importance to the enemy of that place. Through it he has heretofore transported his armies and vast supplies, and by means of the railroads large amounts of corn, bacon, meal, and produce have been distributed to his armies. For five days 10,000 men worked hard and with a will in that work of destruction, with axes, crowbars, sledges, clawbars, and with fire, and I have no hesitation in pronouncing the work as well done. Meridian, with its depots, store-houses, arsenal, hospitals, offices, hotels, and cantonments no longer exists. (emphasis supplied)

To General Hurlbut I intrusted the destruction north and east of the town, and to General McPherson south and west. The former reports to me officially the destruction of 60 miles of road, with ties burned and iron bent, one locomotive destroyed, and 8 bridges burned. The latter reports officially 55 miles of road destroyed, with 53 bridges and culverts burned, and 6,075 feet of trestle-work below Enterprise across a swamp burned, 19 locomotives, 28 cars, and 3 steam sawmills destroyed and burned. The railroad is destroyed all the way from Jackson to Meridian, 100 miles; from Meridian to and including the large bridge over the Chickasawha below Quitman; north to and including a bridge at Lauderdale Springs, and east about 20 miles. The enemy cannot use these roads to our prejudice in the coming campaign.

Having learned positively that the enemy's infantry had crossed the Tombigbee eastward on the 17th, and there being nothing between me and the Pearl River but cavalry, which I could not strike with infantry, I remained at Meridian until the 20th of February, leaving me ten days to reach Vicksburg and keep my appointment with General Banks, and hearing nothing whatever of General Smith, I ordered General McPherson to move back slowly on the main road, taking four days to Hillsborough, while I, with General Hurlbut's command and Colonel Winslow's cavalry, moved to the north to feel for General Smith.

On the 20th, I moved from Marion Station toward Muckalusha Old Town, thence to Union, where I dispatched Colonel Winslow with three regiments of cavalry to Philadelphia and Louisville, some 50 miles in the direction of Columbus, over the very road by which General Grierson moved during his celebrated raid, and by which road I supposed he would feel for us. If no tidings could be had of the cavalry, Colonel Winslow was to send a couple of scouts to find General Smith and order him to come to me at Canton, after which Colonel Winslow was to swing across to Kosciusko and come to Canton. The two infantry columns came together as appointed on the 23d at Hillsborough.

Next day we marched for Pearl River on separate roads, making for Ratliff's Ferry. Securing the ferry-boats there and at Edwards' above, a good floating bridge was constructed by Captain Hickenlooper, of General McPherson's staff, and the army passed Pearl River, 25th and 26th. Leaving a division to cover the bridge in case our cavalry should make its appearance, the army was bivouacked near Canton, where Colonel Winslow had arrived, having executed his orders to the very letter, but with no tidings of General Smith.

No enemy having troubled us during our march from Meridian to Canton, and anxious to afford our Memphis cavalry an opportunity to reach us, I left the army at Canton, rode into Vicksburg on the 28th, received my dispatches from General Banks, as expected, and sent orders back to General Hurlbut to remain there until the 3d of March, and then come into Vicksburg, while I hastened to New Orleans to confer with General Banks and Admiral Porter, and adjust the details of the next combined movement.

I returned to Vicksburg on the 6th instant, found all my army in, and learned that General Smith had not started from Memphis at all till the 11th of February; had only reached West Point, and turned back on the 22d, the march back to Memphis being too rapid for a good effect. Nevertheless, on the whole, we accomplished all I undertook. Our march out and in from Vicksburg was well accomplished; we beat the enemy wherever he opposed or offered resistance. We drove him out of Mississippi, destroyed the only remaining railroads in the State, the only roads by which he could maintain an army in Mississippi threatening to our forces or the main river. We subsisted our army and animals chiefly on his stores, brought away about 400 prisoners and full 5,000 negroes, about 1,000 white refugees, about 3,000 animals (horses, mules, and oxen), and any quantity of wagons and vehicles. Beyond Pearl River we destroyed all C. S. A. cotton and all that was used in the enemy's work at Meridian; also many cotton-gins and piles of cotton were burned by our soldiers and by negroes, without orders and without detection.

I attach little importance to these matters, but the great result attained is the hardwood and confidence imparted to the command, which is now better fitted for war. Animals and men returned to Vicksburg after marching from 360 to 450 miles in the space of the shortest month in the year, in better health and condition than when we started.

Our losses may be summed up as follows:

We lost some mules and wagons that were out foraging, but the mules were soon replaced by captured animals, so that no delay re-suited. I know of no wagons lost save nine, reported verbally by General Hurlbut as having occurred after I came in from Canton.

Contemporaneous with these events was a diversion made on Mobile. I had requested it of General Banks before starting from Vicksburg, and he devolved it on Admiral Farragut. Occurring at the same time as my movement, it completely deceived our enemy, and resulted in an order for the removal of all its non-combatant population and caused great alarm, which seems to have spread through all Alabama. Their time is not yet, but will come in the due order of events.

I also sent at the same time, February 3, up the Yazoo a combined expedition of gun-boats and transports. Knowing that our movement inland would draw off force from the Yazoo, I asked Admiral Porter to send up the Yazoo a fleet of his light-clad boats to explore the Yazoo, Sunflower, and all tributaries where a sufficient draught of water could be found, which he did, viz: Five gun-boats, under command of Lieutenant-Commander Owen, U.S. Navy, and I sent along five transports, with two regiments, one of white, Eleventh Illinois, Colonel Coates, and one of black troops. My instructions for this expedition are submitted herewith. I suppose it fulfilled its objects, although Colonel Coates has not yet returned and reported, but for some reason, which he will explain, after going up as far as Fort Pemberton, he returned and disembarked at Yazoo City, sending his boats to Vicksburg with cotton and forage. He reports officially having sent in 1,521 bales of cotton, and that the gun-boats had secured 207. I have ordered 1,000 bales to be delivered to the Treasury agent, and I ask that its proceeds be applied to indemnify boats that have sustained damage while engaged in a licensed and lawful commerce, such as the Allen Collier, burned by the guerillas at Bolivar Landing, and the Von Phul, fired on at Morganza Bend. The balance of this cotton I have placed with the post quartermaster at Vicksburg, with orders to General McPherson to appoint a board to pay back in kind such loyal persons as Mrs. Grose and Dr. Duncan for cotton used by our hospitals or burned by guerrillas. It is folly for us to attempt to indemnify all, but in this way we can give a support to the smaller claimants and encourage them to cultivate their plantations. The sooner all the cotton in the Southern States is burned or got away the better, for it is the cause of filling our boats and towns with a class of heartless speculators that would corrupt our officers and men and sell their lives by foolish exposure that they might get out stolen cotton and buy it cheap.

The full official reports of Generals Hurlbut and McPherson are not yet in, but as soon as received they will be forwarded, with a map showing our routes of march, &c.

The country is indebted to Generals Hurlbut and McPherson, the actual commanders of the troops in this expedition, whose experience and skill left me an easy task, partaking more of the character of a pleasant excursion than of hard military service.

Colonel Winslow, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, commanded the advance guard, and handled his cavalry brigade with skill and success. His flank attack on the heavy cavalry force of the enemy before Jackson, and his rapid pursuit into Jackson, securing to us the use of the enemy's pontoons, entitles him to promotion as brigadier of cavalry. I must also give him the credit due for his march from Union on Louisville and Kosciusko, and for making his junction with the main body of the army at Canton at the time appointed.

I have thanked in orders the officers and soldiers of the command for their cheerfulness and for their eagerness to fight, to march, or to work day or night as required, but I must leave to corps commanders the duty of recording their individual acts of merit.(*)

In organizing and conducting this expedition I have been admirably seconded by my personal staff, viz, Major McCoy and Captains Dayton and Audenried. I hardly know how to reward them substantially, further than to commend them to the favorable notice of our Government.

To Lieutenant-Colonel Bingham, my chief quartermaster, the only member of my general staff that I took from department headquarters, I am greatly indebted. Through him were obtained the steamboats and means by which these troops were so rapidly assembled and concentrated at great distances promptly on time.

When Colonel Coates makes me the official report of his operations up the Yazoo, I will indorse it according to my judgment at the time.

Accompanying this I send a complete file of orders and letters of instruction issued during the expedition.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Brig. Gen. JOHN A. RAWLINS,

[lnclosure No. 1.]

SIR: The time is now for the execution of a design long contemplated, which must be improved, else we may lose a step in the natural development of events. You know what I refer to, and therefore I need not repeat it. Everything must give way to the execution of our purpose. You will therefore at once organize out of the Sixteenth Army Corps two strong divisions of infantry, at least 5,000 strong each, with proportionate artillery, and one of cavalry of same strength; in all 15,000 men exclusive of the cavalry force recently arrived under General W. Sooy Smith. To enable you to effect this combination, I hereby direct the force at Paducah to be reduced to three companies, Cairo to seven, Columbus to one white and one negro regiment, Memphis to two black and two white regiments. All the Memphis and Charleston road to be abandoned save so much of it as can be safely held with the remainder of the troops not herein embraced. Abandon Corinth and Fort Pillow absolutely, removing all public property to Cairo or Memphis; also leave all black troops and such of the local Tennessee regiments as can be employed, with minute instructions to the commanders of posts at Paducah, Columbus, Cairo, Memphis, and such others as you judge best to have fixed to organize and arm the loyal citizens for self-defense. Citizens who volunteer to defend their towns, counties, and neighborhoods against the enemy from without or within, should be protected and encouraged in their laudable efforts; and if you will devise a system applicable to West Tennessee and Kentucky and North Mississippi I will ratify and approve it, making it uniform throughout the sphere of this command. Troops held too long in a city like Memphis, or even at a fixed post with barracks, become enervated. I wish, therefore, a general change to take place, and all the men put into camp or bivouac as remote from towns as possible. The present garrison of Memphis, save the negro regiment, should form the nucleus of one of the infantry divisions named and encamp, say, at Germantown, where they can march inland or into Memphis for embarkation on one day's notice. Make the civil authorities guard their own towns, and hold them responsible that they preserve good order and government. Let the agents of the U.S. Treasury Department manage exclusively all matters of trade and internal intercourse. This is clearly the law of Congress, and if it be wise or unwise it is not for us to say. This will manifest itself in due time, and in the mean time it sets free the hosts of local guards and officers whose time has heretofore been absorbed in civil matters. I expect you to take command of the two divisions of infantry in the field. In assigning and transferring regiments under this order, I advise you to organize Dodge's command into two divisions, adding to his present command say two or three more regiments, which can by him be reported detached. You might send to Dodge one or more brigadiers. Please report to me to-morrow, or next day at furthest, your action under this order, as I will go to Vicksburg and return before we actually move, but all must be complete in ten days at furthest.

I am, &c.,

[Inclosure No. 2.]

DEAR GENERAL: I have the statement showing the number of troops at the different posts and stations in your command, and am well satisfied with the aggregate. I believe we now have at our disposal here and at Memphis an available force adequate to break the enemy's railroad communication with the State of Mississippi. I mean to break up the railroad at Meridian and as far east as Demop-olis. I propose to go back to Memphis, and about the 24th or 25th instant to start a force of cavalry of about 7,000, under command of Brig. Gen. William Sooy Smith, to move from La Grange, via Ripley, Pontotoc, and Columbus, down to Meridian, following substantially the Mobile and Ohio Road, breaking it at numerous points. At the same time I will embark two divisions of infantry of the Sixteenth Corps, under Major-General Hurlbut, and hasten to Vicksburg, where they will disembark and march, via Messinger's, Jackson, Brandon, &c., to Meridian, timing our march so as to co-operate with the cavalry. I want you to make up two divisions of infantry, artillery, and cavalry to march at the same time via Big Black bridge, Champion's Hill, Jackson, &c. I will command in person. I will depend on you to provide pontoons and bridge material for crossing General Hurlbut's command at Messinger's, and also a bridge near the old railroad bridge for your own command, so that no delay may occur there. On arrival at Jackson, we can make a bridge over the Pearl out of material there. I want your command to be about 10,000 aggregate, and your artillery to embrace at least two 20-pounder Parrotts and a battery of either 10-pounder Parrotts or 3 inch Rodman guns. We must leave Vicksburg safe in any contingency and a guard at Big Black and at Haynes' Bluff, and to enable you to do this you can abandon the posts at Skipwith's and Goodrich's. In the present condition of water I do not think the danger of molestation to boats at those points enough to warrant the force now there. On passing Skipwith's I will see Captain Owen, of the Navy, and ask him to send you a light-draught gunboat to go to Haynes' Bluff, and I wish you to send her up with a couple of transports carrying a couple of regiments to reconnoiter the Yazoo above Yazoo City, and to obtain forage on the Sunflower or on the Yazoo. If the Yazoo be found in a fair stage I will, at the same time with our movement inland, make a feint up that river, it may be, as high as Greenwood. Knowing the objects of the movement, I will rely on your making all the preparations possible between this and the 25th instant, by which time you may expect my return.

I am, with respect, your obedient servant,

[Inclosure No. 8.]

DEAR GENERAL: By an order issued this day I have placed all the cavalry of this department subject to your command. I estimate you can make a force of full 7,000 men, which I believe to be superior and better in all respects than the combined cavalry which the enemy has in all the State of Mississippi. I will in person start for Vicksburg to-day, and with four divisions of infantry, artillery, and cavalry move out for Jackson, Brandon, and Meridian, aiming to reach the latter place by February 10. General Banks will feign on Pascagoula, and General Logan on Rome. I want you with your cavalry to move from Collierville on Pontotoc and Okolona; thence sweeping down near the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, disable that road as much as possible, consume or destroy the resources of the enemy along that road, break up the connection with Columbus, Miss., and finally reach me at or near Meridian as near the date I have mentioned as possible. This will call for great energy of action on your part, but I believe you are equal to it, and you have the best and most experienced troops in the service, and they will do anything that is possible. General Grierson is with you, and is familiar with the whole country. I will send up from Haynes' Bluff an expedition of gun-boats and transports combined to feel up the Yazoo as far as the present stage of water will permit. This will disconcert the enemy. My movement on Jackson will also divide the enemy, so that by no combination can he reach you with but a part of his force. I wish you to attack any force of cavalry you meet and follow them southward, but in no event be drawn into the forks of the streams that make up the Yazoo nor over into Alabama. Do not let the enemy draw you into minor affairs, but look solely to the greater object, to destroy his communication from Okolona to Meridian and thence eastward to Selma. From Okolona south you will find abundance of forage collected along the railroad, and the farms have standing corn in the fields. Take liberally of all these, as well as horses, mules, cattle. &c. As a rule respect dwellings and families as something too sacred to be disturbed by soldiers, but mills, barns, sheds, stables, and such like things use for the benefit and convenience of your command. If convenient, send into Columbus and destroy all the machinery there and the bridge across the Tombigbee, which enables the enemy to draw the resources of the east side of the valley, but this is not of sufficient importance to delay your movement. Try and communicate with me by scouts and spies from the time you reach Pontotoc. Avoid any large force of infantry, leaving them to me. We have talked over this matter so much that the above covers all points not provided for in my published orders of to-day.

I am, yours, &c.,

[Inclosure No. 4.1

SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS, No. 11.

I. Major-General Hurlbut will, with the command recently organized here, proceed with all dispatch to Vicksburg, and move out on the upper Jackson road to the Big Black near Messinger's, and prepare a bridge to cross his command to the east. He will then await the arrival of the general commanding.

II. Major-General McPherson will move his command, as heretofore ordered, to the Big Black railroad bridge, and there prepare to cross to the east. He will leave a covering force at Vicksburg, Haynes' Bluff, and the bridge, and will be prepared to move from Big Black eastward at an hour's notice.

III. The command designated for the field will be lightly equipped --no tents or luggage save what is carried by the officers, men, and horses. Wagons must be reserved for food and ammunition. Car-tridge-boxes must be filled full of fresh ammunition, and a hundred rounds extra carried along in wagons or on pack animals. Ten days' meat and bread and thirty days' of salt, sugar, and coffee will be carried in wagons; beef-cattle driven along, and pack animals, at the rate of one per company, when practicable, in lieu of wagons.

IV. Artillery will be cut down one-half, and that double-teamed, and 200 rounds of ammunition for each gun will suffice, but must be carried in caissons belonging to each battery. Artillery carriages must not be loaded down with men and packs, nor must imperfect ammunition be carried along, nor shots wasted at imaginary objects. Chiefs of artillery will see that each box is inspected, and the heavy artillery wagons and forges left at the depots.

V. The expedition is one of celerity, and all things must tend to that. Corps commanders and staff officers will see that our movements are not embarrassed by wheeled vehicles improperly loaded. Not a tent will be carried, from the commander-in-chief down. The sick must be left behind, and the surgeons can find houses and sheds for all hospital purposes.

VI. All cavalry in the department is placed under the orders and command of Brig. Gen. W. S. Smith, who will receive special instructions.

By order of Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman:

[lnclosure No. 5.]

GENERAL: Pursuant to my verbal instructions of to-day you have designated the Eleventh Illinois and Eighth Louisiana Regiments to make the expedition up the Yazoo. I wish you would instruct the commanding officer as follows: To act in perfect concert with Captain Owen, U.S. Navy, who acts under my orders by instructions from Admiral Porter. He is instructed simultaneously with our movement inland to explore and scout the Yazoo and Sunflower, to make the planters along those rivers feel that they are to be held responsible for the safety of the navigation of so much of the Mississippi as lays parallel with the Yazoo. Instruct the officer in command to collect a thousand bales of cotton to be delivered to the agents of the U. S. Treasury, to be converted into money with which to indemnify the owners of the steamer Allen Collier, burned in the Mississippi River opposite Bolivar County: for the cotton and gins of Dr. Duncan, recently burned by guerrillas on his plantation near Skipwith's, and other minor depredations on our lawful commerce. Let these boats also collect corn and forage, giving receipts only to the quiet and loyal people, but not to the disloyal. Let the commanding of-ricer impress on the people that we shall periodically visit that country and destroy property or take it, as long as parties of Confederate troops or guerrillas infest the river banks. If, on the contrary, the inhabitants will organize for their own self-defense and for protecting their country from the acts of unfriendly parties, we will gradually open to them a friendly intercourse and trade. All bands of guerrillas or Confederates must be engaged, and if possible punished. This expedition should be up the Yazoo two or three weeks, and should visit every navigable part of the Yazoo and its tributaries as far up as Fort Pemberton, Greenwood, or Sidon. The commanding officer should act in concert with Captain Owen; and if the expedition reaches its destination in a less time than herein indicated, and if an opportunity offers, he may disembark and visit Grenada, or some point on the Central Mississippi Road, breaking it so effectually that it cannot be used by the enemy. Great discretion should be left to the officer in charge, the chief object being to show a force up in those waters while we are occupied in a different quarter, and while General Sooy Smith is sweeping down from Memphis toward Okolona and Meridian. The enemy must not be allowed to flee and seek shelter from this party near the Yazoo.

I am, with respect, &c.,

[Inclosure No. 6.]

DEAR ADMIRAL: I arrived here last night in the Juliet. I saw Captain Owen in passing Skipwith's, and he was ready to follow to-day. I have selected two fine regiments in five boats to accompany him, and have ordered Ellet's Marine Brigade to protect the river in the district hitherto guarded by Captain Owen. I will make my letter to Captain Owen very full, asking him to ascend the Yazoo as far as he deems possible, and acting in such a manner as to show the planters along the Yazoo and Sunflower that we can reach them and punish them in case they connive at the attacks on our boats in the Mississippi. I have this moment received a letter from General Banks indicating his purpose to engage in the Red River expedition in concert with General Steele and myself. My orders from General Grant are to strike Meridian, and he sends me a letter from General Halleck which shadows forth the joint execution of the movement on Shreveport. General Banks is sending an officer up to Cairo to engage boats and supplies. He is taking time by the forelock, and I am willing he should do so, but I know when the time comes I will be prepared as soon as any. You must take the initiative, as the gun-boats must carry the heavy ordnance, and we should not engage Shreveport until you can put your gun-boats (iron-clad) into the fight. I can be back to Vicksburg by the end of February, by which time Red River should be in good boating order. I have a man in from Alexandria, La., bringing me messages from my friends there, but he says when he left there eight days ago the falls were only passable to the lightest-draught boats. Dick Taylor is down at Fort De Russy, which is at one of the Marksville landings--doubtless Norman's, the same where the Queen of the West was taken. Taylor has three brigades with him. This fort can be turned by Banks moving upon Alexandria from Opelousas. Steele should move on Shreveport from Little Rock, and you and I should go straight up Red River. Some one mind should control the whole. I inclose you a telegraphic message(*) for General Grant, which I beg you to send to him and send me his answer. March 1 should be fixed as the date for us to enter Red River.

Truly, your friend,

[Inclosure No. 7.]

DEAR SIR: In furtherance of the expedition proposed up the Yazoo, I will endeavor to explain the objects and purposes aimed at:

You are aware that a large cavalry force will leave Memphis about Monday next, directing its course, via Ripley, Pontotoc, Okolona, and Columbus, to Meridian. I will leave Vicksburg about the same time with a strong force of infantry and artillery for the same point via Jackson and Brandon. I desire to confuse the enemy as to our plans, and know that the appearance of a force up the Yazoo as far as possible will tend to that result. I propose at the same time to have the expedition fulfill other important ends. I have ordered General McPherson to embark here on five good steam-boats the Eleventh Illinois Infantry (white) and Eighth Louisiana (black) to accompany your fleet. These will be commanded by an experienced officer (Colonel Coates), who will be instructed to act in perfect concert with you. He will not take artillery, as the gun-boats will have that, and it is not designed he should operate far from your boats. Should you find an enemy at Satartia or Yazoo City, I want them engaged, whether you drive them off or not. The moment they find I have crossed Big Black they will make off. Then pass up the Yazoo as far as possible to Greenwood; destroy all flats or means used by the enemy to cross from the east to the west; take all C. S. A. cotton you choose a prize,. and the transport boats will be ordered to take the private cotton which is abandoned or held by disloyal citizens to barricade their engines and to bring it away to be sold, to make a fund out of which to indemnify the owners of boats that have been destroyed or damaged by the enemy. Impress on the people along Yazoo and Sunflower that we intend to hold them responsible for all acts of hostility to the river commerce. The planters along the Mississippi have been damaged enough, and it is now their turn to feel that war may reach their doors. If the enemy burns cotton we don't care. It is their property and not ours, but so long as they have cotton, corn, horses, or anything, we will appropriate it or destroy it so long as their confederates in war act in violence to us and our lawful commerce. They must be active friends or enemies. They cannot be silent or neutral. I have ordered up the Marine Brigade (General Ellet) to replace your division of light-draught gun-boats. I think now is the time, with almost absolute certainty that the Yazoo will be on the rise, for us to make a good impression on the Yazoo and Sunflower country. If the planters find that we can make a yearly visitation and clean up old scores they will give less encouragement to the enemy, which has heretofore crossed over to the Mississippi and annoyed our steam-boats. They may protest against our holding them responsible for the acts of the Confederate authorities, but in war we have a perfect right to produce results in our own way, and should not scruple too much at the means, provided they are effectual. I would like you to be prepared to explore the Yazoo and Sunflower Rivers perfectly, and think you should take three weeks or a month in the operation. A force of about 3,200 men, under General Hawkins, will occupy Haynes' Bluff, and you can communicate through him with the admiral or myself. Do not hesitate to take any kind of provisions or fire-wood, for the enemy must not only pay for damages inflicted on our commerce but for the expenses incurred in the suppression. You may assure the inhabitants from me that the moment they can assure us that order and peace are preserved along the Yazoo and Mississippi abreast of them they will be allowed free commerce and intercourse with Vicksburg.

I am, with respect, &c.,

[Inclosure No. 8.]

SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS, No. 16.

I. To expedite our march the following dispositions are ordered to be made during to-morrow, to go into effect the next day, viz, February 13: To each regiment will be allowed two wagons--one for cartridges and one for bread and cooking utensils--and two ambulances. To each general division and brigade headquarters one wagon. All other vehicles will constitute a general train under escort of one regiment to a division and one battery, to be designated by General McPherson.

II. The army, thus relieved of baggage, will further be reduced by all men who are sick and unable to march, who will remain with the wagon train, and will march the next morning early, each regiment followed by its own wagons and ambulances, and colonels of regiments will see that the wagons are helped through bad places in the road. Each man must carry a full proportion of ammunition and provisions for five days (three days' full rations).

III The wagons and escorts thus detached will follow behind the army as far as Chunky River, and there await further orders. The army itself will move by Decatur directly on Meridian, and General McPherson will send one regiment of his corps from Decatur on the railroad, with instructions to keep abreast of him, and in its progress to destroy bridges, culverts, and track of the railroad at the rate of about 12 miles a day.

IV. The cavalry and mounted officers will carry on their horses the necessary blankets and provisions for the ride, and trust to the country for forage.

V. Captain Hickenlooper, of General McPherson's staff, will organize a strong pioneer and working party, and keep close up to the cavalry advance, repairing bridges and roads, so as to expedite our march.

By order of Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman:

[Inclosure No. 9.]

SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS, No. 17.

I. The destruction of the railroads intersecting at Meridian is of great importance, and should be done most effectually. Every tie and rail of iron for many miles in each direction should be absolutely destroyed or injured, and every bridge and culvert completely destroyed. To insure this end, to General Hurlbut is intrusted the destruction east and north, and to General McPherson the roads west and south. The troops should be impressed with the importance of this work, and also that time is material, and therefore it should be begun at once and prosecuted with all the energy possible. Working parties should be composed of about one-half of the commands, and they should move by regiments, provided with their haversacks and arms, ready to repel attacks of cavalry. The other half, in reserve, will be able to watch the enemy now retreating eastward.

II. Colonel Winslow, commanding cavalry, will keep his cavalry in advance of the party working eastward, and act as though this army was slowly pursuing the enemy.

III Special instructions will be given as to the general supply train, and the troops now in Meridian will by proper brigade parties collect meal, meat, and supplies. The destruction of buildings must be deferred until the last moment, when a special detail will be made for that purpose.

By order of Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman:

[Inclosure No, 10.]

SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS, No. 18.

The general commanding conveys his congratulations and thanks to the officers and men composing this command for their most successful accomplishment of one of the great problems of the war. Meridian, the great railway center of the Southwest, is now in our possession, and by industry and hard work can be rendered useless to the enemy and deprive hint of the chief source of supply to his armies. Secrecy in plan and rapidity, of execution accomplish the best results in war, and the general commanding assures all, by following their leaders fearlessly and with confidence, they will in time reap the reward so dear to us all--a peace that will never again be disturbed in our country by a discontented minority.

By order of Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman:

[Inclosure No. 11.]

SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS, No. 19.

I. General McPherson will move one division of his command early to-morrow morning southward, on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, with instructions to do as much damage to bridges, culverts, and track of the road and any property of the enemy as possible, including private saw-mills, as far as and including the bridges over Oktibbeha and Chickasawha Creeks, in the neighborhood of Quitman.

II The officer in command will report back to General McPherson or the general commanding promptly all information gathered respecting the movements of the enemy.

III. Colonel Winslow, commanding cavalry, will send one regiment of his command to accompany this expedition, the senior officer reporting for instructions to the officer in command of the division designated by General McPherson in compliance with this order.

By order of Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman:

[Inclosure No, l2.]

SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS, No. 20.

I. Having fulfilled completely and well all the objects of the expedition, the troops will return to the Mississippi River to embark in another equally important movement.

II. The Sixteenth Army Corps, Major-General Hurlbut's command, and the cavalry commanded by Colonel Winslow, will march from Marion by way of Union and Hillsborough, and the Seventeenth Corps, Major-General McPherson, and the general train from Meridian by Decatur and Hillsborough, each taking four days in reaching Hillsborough. At that point each corps will resume charge of its own train and march by routes to be indicated by the general-in-chief. The march will begin on the 20th instant, and the corps commanders will not pass Union and Decatur until they have communicated with each other by couriers across at those points.

III. Buildings must not be burned on the return march, save by order of the commanding general of a corps or division, unless they are used as a cover to the enemy from which to fire at our men. Then any commissioned officer may cause them to be destroyed, and report the fact to his division commander.

IV. The march should be conducted slowly (about 15 miles per day) and in good order. Foraging parties must be strong and well commanded. There is no seeming danger, but every precaution should be taken against cavalry dashes at our trains. The wagons should be distributed by brigades along the column, and not kept in a single corps train.

V. The general commanding will accompany General Hurlbut's column, and reports will be made accordingly.

By order of Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman:

[lnclosure No. 13.]

SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS, No. 21.

I. The troops composing the expedition will rest at and near Canton until the general commanding can ride to Vicksburg and dispatch back orders for the next movement dependent on the state of affairs since our departure. The following dispositions will be made of the troops:(*)

1. General Hurlbut will cause the crossing at Big Black to be reconnoitered and boats and materials collected to build a bridge if ordered or needed.

2. The Sixteenth Corps will occupy the space from Canton to the Big Black on the Yazoo City road. The Seventeenth Corps the space from Canton to Pearl River by the road on which we marched.

3. General McPherson will cause the bridge built on the Pearl River by his pioneers to be guarded till the last moment of its utility to us, when it must be destroyed in toto.

4. The cavalry will take post to the north and east of Canton, and will picket and scout out daily between Pearl and Big Black Rivers at least 20 miles.

II. Corps commanders will, at the earliest practicable moment, dispatch into Vicksburg, under escort of three or four regiments entitled to furloughs by reason of re-enlistment, all the surplus wagons and captured stock, all sick and wounded men, all prisoners, negroes, and indeed everything that is an impediment or dead weight to the army, retaining only the effective force of soldiers and servants and the necessary transportation for short movements.

III. General Tuttle, commanding at Big Black, will dispatch immediately, under escort of one of his regiments, about 60 wagon loads of hard bread, sugar, salt, and coffee in the proportion of the rations to be divided between the two corps of the army, including the cavalry and Tuttle's brigade with the Sixteenth Corps. To produce the equality, this train will come out by Edwards' Depot, Queen's Hill Church, Brownsville, and Livingston.

IV. General Hurlbut will cause a section of about 10 miles of the Mississippi Central Railroad north of and including the bridge over Big Black to be effectually destroyed, and General McPherson will cause a similar break at and south of Canton. General McPherson will also cause the locomotives and cars to be utterly destroyed with powder if necessary.

V. Colonel Winslow will detail a regiment entitled to furlough by reason of re-enlistment to report to the general commanding at 7 a.m. to-morrow, without wagons and with two days' rations, to escort him to Big Black bridge.

VI. Lieutenant Vernay, acting aide-de-camp to Maj. Gen. J. B. McPherson, will proceed to Vicksburg, Miss., as bearer of special verbal instructions, and await the arrival of the general-in-chief.

By order of Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman:

[Inclosure No. 14.l

SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS, No. 22.

I. The army in the field, now at Canton, will remain there till about March 3 to hear from and assist, if necessary, the cavalry expedition under command of Brig. Gen. William Sooy Smith, which should have left Memphis February 2 at furthest, but did not until about the 11th. If heard from, General McPherson with his corps will await his arrival, or till he can communicate with him, and order General Smith to the vicinity of Big Black bridge to await further orders, or to act offensively should a cavalry force of the enemy appear this side of Pearl River.

II. General Hurlbut will, about March 3, move his command across Big Black at or near Moore's Bluff, and come to Vicksburg prepared to embark for Red River about March 7 next.

III. Should General McPherson hear of the safety of the cavalry command referred to, or hear no tidings at all of it on or before the 3d next, he also will move down the peninsula between Pearl River and Big Black to the bridge at Messinger s, or at the railroad bridge, and resume his former command at Vicksburg and district.

IV. The chief quartermaster of the department will collect a number of steam-boats suitable for the Red River of a capacity to transport 10,000 men, with artillery, ordnance, and subsistence stores for thirty days' operations, to be ready at Vicksburg by March 7.

V. The commissary of subsistence at Vicksburg will place at Haynes' Bluff three days' rations for General Hurlbut's command of 10,000 men, to be drawn by him on his way down, and the same for General McPherson's command at the Big Black bridge.

VI. The ordnance officer will be prepared to ship on board steamboats, at the date before named, the mortars and 30-pounder Parrotts with all their ammunition on hand, and also a supply of musket ammunition equal to 200 rounds per man for 10,000 men.

VII. Lieutenant Vernay, aide-de-camp to General McPherson, will collect all the mail matter and newspapers he can obtain for the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Army Corps, and convey the same to the army at Canton, and Colonel Winslow, chief of cavalry, will furnish him an escort of 200 men, all to start on March 1.

VIII. Col. E. F. Winslow, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, will proceed with the re-enlisted veterans of that regiment to Iowa, and grant furloughs for thirty days after their arrival at Keokuk. At the expiration of the furloughs he will meet them at some rendezvous on the Mississippi River, and reconduct them back to the regiment at or near Vicksburg, Miss.

IX. The quartermaster's department will provide the necessary transportation to and back.

By order of Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman:

[lnclosure No. 15.]

SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS, No. 24.

I. General Hurlbut will, out of his First and Third Divisions, make up a command of about 7,500 infantry, with two good batteries of artillery, the whole under command of Brig. Gen. A. J. Smith, to embark on the 7th and 8th instant on board of transports, with thirty days' rations and provided for an expedition up Red River. Only two ambulances per regiment and one for each battery, and one wagon for each headquarters, will be taken along, and the remaining wagons and sick will be left at Vicksburg, to be taken care of until the command returns to Vicksburg.

II. General McPherson will, in like manner, make up a command of about 2,500 men, with one good battery, under a brigadier of rank inferior to that of General A. J. Smith, prepared in like manner to embark on boats on the 7th and 8th instant. The general in command to report in person to General A. J. Smith, who will receive full and minute instructions from the general commanding.

III. Corps commanders will at once order a part of the re-enlisted regiments of their corps to their respective States, where organized, for a furlough of thirty days therein, with full instructions as to procuring additional recruits and rejoining their proper brigades with dispatch on the expiration of their furloughs. The officers and soldiers thus sent on furloughs should be impressed with the importance of their return on time, as military plans can only be based on a positive knowledge of numbers and time.

IV. Brigadier-General Veatch's command will proceed via Cairo and the Tennessee River with all its men, guns, transportation, and materials to join the command of General Dodge at or near Athens, Ala.

V. The chief quartermaster of the department will provide the necessary transportation to carry out these orders and those issued February 28, 1864.

By order of Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman:

[Compiled from nominal lists of casualties, returns, &c.]