HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE,
Vicksburg, Miss., October 2, 1863.

 Brig. Gen. J.P. HAWKINS,
Commanding District of Northeastern Louisiana:

GENERAL: The small force now left here is so occupied with details for unloading boats, guarding an extended line, policing the city, &c., that it is impossible to furnish a sufficient force for work on the fortifications. If you can furnish one regiment at a time from our command, detailing them for one week at a time, without detriment to the service, it would help us out very much. I do not wish to order this, not knowing how well able you are to spare the troops. If they can come, I want the first detail made on Monday next, detail to be relieved each Monday thereafter. Please inform me if they can be sent, and if so a boat will be sent for them.

Very respectfully,

 U. S. GRANT,

Major-general.

SOURCE: United States War Department. THE WAR OF THE REBELLION: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1880-1901.

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