| Near Prairie Mound, Chickasaw County |
| April 27, 1863 |
|
|
| Brigadier-General Chalmers |
| |
| General,
|
| *****
|
| My information this morning is that the
enemy was last evening southwest of Houston; would probably take the Pittsborough road, and endeavor to escape
between Pontotoc and Oxford {on the
Mississippi Central RR}. The force of the enemy is small, not exceeding 250. The main
column has been driven back. The damage done to the Southern
Railroad is not as extensive as first reported. The enemy did not
get to the Mobile
& Ohio Railroad. Cars came up from Meridian
this morning. I will send you all the information of the enemy's
whereabouts I may be able to get, and will keep in the most perfect
readiness to act where it may be necessary. I will send one command
on to the Pontotoc and Houston road; will keep one here, and Major
Inge at Okolona {on the Mobile
& Ohio RR}, to scout down the railroad until it fully appears no longer
necessary.
|
| *****
|
| I am, sir, your obedient servant,
|
| C. R. Barteau
|
| Lieutenant-Colonel
|
|