| Meridian |
| April 25, 1863 |
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| Lieutenant-General Pemberton |
| Comdg., Jackson, Miss. |
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| General, |
| I sent you a reply to your note, by the
way of Grenada, and informed you that the enemy came to Southern Railroad, too
distant for me to know or hear of him in time, and while I was in
transitu, in accordance with your orders. When he struck the
road, he was 139 miles from me and only 60 miles from Jackson.
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| This much to let you know my
whereabouts. I have ordered Ruggles to collect all his cavalry, and
endeavor to intercept him on his return. It is probable they will
endeavor to go through to Baton Rouge, so that you had better send word to intercept them in that
direction. I have just requested the people of
Selma
to guard the Sucarnoochee and Alamutche bridges on the Mississippi
and Alabama Railroad {Alabama &
Mississippi Rivers RR}.
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| I have also sent a command to Enterprise, with artillery, which I brought from Ruggles. I am anxious to
communicate with the forces sent from Jackson
to intercept him, and shall send a car to communicate at once. Have
you sent to
Grenada
and to the cavalry at Clinton, La.? I have sent word to General Buckner to order his from Pass
Christian.
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| Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
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| W. W. Loring
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| Major-General, Commanding
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