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reveal too clearly our position.
A brigade (the best one) from each corps will be selected to guard and bring up the rear of each column, to move off about two hours after the rest of the column, and from which a small detail will be left at each bridge, to destroy it after the passage of cavalry; detail to be in proportion to importance of bridge.
Would it not be advisable for the main forces to start at 1 A. M., and the rear-guards at 3 A. M.? No rockets must be fired to-night.
Your obedient servant,
(Confidential.)
General,—Considering that we have still so much yet to be removed from this place, I have decided that the retrograde movement shall not take place until the 30th instant, at the hours appointed, instead of the 29th. You will please issue all necessary orders to that effect to the forces under your command. It would be advisable to stop at once the ammunition and provision trains at convenient points to this place. Respectfully, your obedient servant,Telegram.
The enemy are throwing up works in the field near the—House, in the front of Corinth lines. Shall I throw away any ammunition on them?Earl Van Dorn, Maj.-Genl.
Telegram.
Quite a force seen to be forming in our front, reported by pickets. A sharp skirmish just over, some ten or twelve reported killed and wounded; will probably have a fight.Earl Van Dorn, Maj.-Genl.
Headquarters, Western Department, Corinth, Miss., May 29th, 1862.
General B. Bragg; Major-General E. Van Dorn; Major-General L. Polk; Major-General W. J. Hardee; Major-General J. C. Breckinridge:
General,—The following modifications have been made in the order relative to the retrograde movement from this place: General B. Bragg; Major-General E. Van Dorn; Major-General L. Polk; Major-General W. J. Hardee; Major-General J. C. Breckinridge:
