Commanding Detachment, Sixteenth Army Corps:
I did not think it advisable to send Sergeant Hall and party on the expedition marked out for them. It would be one of vast importance to us if accomplished, but with the small force taken by Sergeant Hall, every neighborhood could raise a force to follow them, and insure his capture. If captured they would certainly be hung, if not shot when taken.
The information given by McBirney does not look like an intention to attack Haynes' Bluff immediately, but a disposition to get and hold a footing on the ridge as near to it as possible, while they are collecting their forces for an attack. Their intention evidently is to come down suddenly when they do move, and for that reason they will endeavor to get a position as near us as possible.
It is not necessary for me to say to you that great vigilance should be shown by our cavalry. I have directed Hall to scout through the country from the Sunflower to Greenville. I want to discover if the enemy are collecting stores, apparently to be used on the Mississippi River, or if they are all to be east of the Yazoo.
They may possibly design their present movement to cover the crossing of troops to the west bank of the Yazoo. I hold here six brigades in readiness to move at a moment's notice, should an attack become inevitable.
If more artillery can be got to send you, I will send it, but troops will not be sent at present. They cannot be sent without changing lines here, or without taking the reserve brigades from one of the army corps.
U.S. GRANT.
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