Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Chapter XXII: Operations in Kentucky, Tennessee, North Mississippi, North Alabama, and Southwest Virginia. March 4-June 10, 1862.
Lieut. Col. Robert N. Scott, Ed.

Sir: From the inclosed reports of Brigadier-General Wallace, Nos. 1 and 2, of yesterday's date [No. 2], it will be perceived that the expedition to injure the railway communication north of Purdy has been successful. (Please see inclosed my orders on the subject.¹)

Another expedition, on the same principle, will leave, under Brigadier-General Sherman, in an hour or so, to operate between Corinth and Eastport, at a point about 12 miles from the river, in the neighborhood of Burnsville. I have not been able to get anything like the desired information as to the strength of the enemy, but it seems to be quoted at 50,000 to 60,000 from Jackson through Corinth and farther east. Their principal force is at Corinth; that which has induced me not to attempt to cut the communication at that place, as that would inevitably lead to a collision in numbers that I am ordered to avoid, and hence my efforts north of Purdy and east of Corinth.

In order to furnish the steamers called for by General Grant's recent instructions I have caused Brigadier-General McClernand's division to debark and occupy Savannah and the surrounding country. From a [9] scouting party east of the town two days since it was ascertained that the only force of the enemy in that quarter is a body of 500 to 600 cavalry about 15 miles southeast.

We need coal very much. Two barges filled with it arrived this morning, but the two gunboats here consume nearly or quite two-thirds of the quantity brought-say 8,000 out of 12,000 bushels.

Our sick list is increasing. As the hospital steamer (City of Memphis) is nearly full, I have ordered her below, to get rid of her freight and then to return.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,