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will remain in position until recalled by the chief of cavalry, who will remain in Corinth for the purpose of directing the retrograde movement of cavalry, when each regiment must follow the route taken by the corps to which it shall have been temporarily assigned, for the protection of its rear and flanks.
9. Under no circumstances will these cavalry regiments abandon their position in front of the line, (unless compelled by overpowering numbers,) until the rear of the columns of the Army of the Mississippi shall have crossed the Tuscumbia; when the General commanding each corps will communicate that fact to the chief of cavalry, for his information and guidance.
10. The cavalry pickets will continue the usual skirmishing with the enemy in front of the lines, and, when retiring, they will destroy the roads and bridges in their rear, as far as practicable: and after having crossed the Tuscumbia, they will guard the crossings until recalled by the General commanding.
11. The chief of cavalry will order, if practicable, one regiment to report to Major-General Polk, one to Major-General Hardee, one to General Bragg, and one to Major-General Van Dorn, independently of the regiment now at Jacinto, already ordered to report to the latter officer.
12. After the departure of the troops from the intrenched line, a sufficient number of drums from each brigade must be left to beat at “reveille” at the usual hour; after which they can rejoin their commands.
13. The commanding officer of corps of the army of the Mississippi will leave, on the south side of the Tuscumbia, five hundred infantry and two pieces of artillery, to guard the four crossings of that stream, and to effectually destroy the bridges, and obstruct the roads, after the passage of the cavalry.
14. On arriving at Baldwin, the best defensive position will be taken by the army of the Mississippi, due regard being had to a proper and sufficient supply of wood and water for the troops and horses of the different commands.
G. T. Beauregard, General, commanding.
(C.) memorandum of movements on Baldwin for General Van Dorn.
headquarters Western Department, Corinth, Miss., May 27, 1862.
1. The baggage trains of his army must leave their position at daybreak on the twenty-eighth instant, by the road on the east of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, to stop temporarily at about six miles from his headquarters, but with secret orders to the officers in charge of them to continue rapidly on the direct road to the vicinity of Baldwin.
The provision trains will follow the baggage trains.
2. The ammunition and ambulance trains must be parked at the most convenient point to their brigades, or near the general headquarters, where they will remain until the troops shall have been moved to the front to take up their line of battle, when these trains will be ordered to follow the provision trains.
All of these trains must be accompanied by one pioneer company and two infantry companies (properly distributed) per brigade.
The brigade and regimental quartermasters must accompany, and be responsible for their trains.
The officers in charge of the baggage trains will receive sealed orders as to their point of destination, which they will open at the already mentioned stopping-place.
3. As it may become necessary to take the offensive, the troops will take their position in line of battle as soon as practicable after disposing of their baggage in the wagon trains.
These troops will bivouac in position, and at three o'clock A. M., on the twenty-ninth instant, if not attacked by the enemy, will take up their line of march to Baldwin, by the route indicated, (Article I.,) leaving properly distributed cavalry pickets in front of their lines, to guard and protect this retrograde movement.
These pickets shall remain in position until recalled by the chief of cavalry, who will remain in Corinth for the purpose of directing the retrograde movement of the cavalry, when each regiment will follow the route taken by the corps to which it shall have been temporarily assigned, for the protection of its rear and flanks.
4. Under no circumstances will the cavalry regiments abandon their position in front of the lines, (unless compelled by overpowering numbers,) until the rear of the column of the Army of the West shall have crossed Clear Creek, when the Generals commanding shall communicate the fact to the chief of cavalry, for his information and guidance.
5. The cavalry pickets will continue the usual skirmishing with the enemy in front of the lines, and, when retiring, will destroy, as far as practicable, the roads and bridges in their rear, and, after having crossed Clear Creek, they will guard the crossing until recalled by the General commanding.
6. The chief of cavalry will order, if practicable, one regiment to report to Major-General Polk and one to Major-General Hardee, one to General Bragg and one to Major-General Van Dorn, independently of the regiment now at Jacinto, already ordered to report to the latter officer.
7. After the departure of the troops from the intrenched lines, a sufficient number of drums from each brigade must be left to beat “reveille” at the usual hour, after which they can join their commands.
8. The commanding officer of the Army of the West will leave, if necessary, on the south side of Clear Creek, about five hundred infantry and two pieces of artillery, to defend the crossing of said stream, and to effectually destroy the bridges and obstruct the road after the passage of the cavalry.
9. On arriving in the vicinity of Guntown, the best defensive position will be taken in rear of Twenty-mile Creek, due regard being had to a 