The instructions of March 6th to General A.J.

Smith, who commanded this detachment, were full and explicit on this point.

The Diana reached Vicksburg on the 6th, where I found that the expeditionary army had come in from Canton.

One division of five thousand men was made up out of Hurlbut's command, and placed under Brigadier-General T.Kilby Smith; and a similar division was made out of McPherson's and Hurlbut's troops, and placed under Brigadier-General Joseph A.Mower; the whole commanded by Brigadier-General A.J.Smith.

General Hurlbut, with the rest of his command, returned to Memphis, and General McPherson remained at Vicksburg.