McPherson, James Birdseye, 1828-1864 to Marcellus Monroe Crocker

General McPherson (Union) discusses Confederate troop movements with General Crocker. He writes "Have you heard anything more definite in relation to the movement of Troops to the Vicinity of 'Tunica Bend' and the concentration of Cavalry in the lower part of the State? The information I have here, is that the Rebel forces occupy about the same relative position between the Big Black and Pearl Rivers, that they have done for the last six weeks." Relates that General Hawkins (possibly John Parker Hawkins) falsely predicted that 16,000 Confederate troops were marching to attack him. He hopes Crocker will appoint an inspector "to examine and report upon the Claim of Mr. Brown who owns the Straw Mill, for lumber taken from him for Gvt purposes, saw logs, use of his Mill, & c- together with his standing in the community- whether destroyed or not." He states that if Crocker does not undertake an expedition to Fort Adams and Woodville, Mississippi, he should travel with Gresham's regiment (possibly referring to Walter Quintin Gresham). Mentions General Johnson. Letter written on Headquarters of the Seventeenth Army Corps, Department of the Tennessee stationery.