Camp, Between Livingston and Brownsville,
May 17, 1863.
Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON:
Your dispatch of to-day by Captain [Thomas] Henderson was received. If Haynes’ Bluff is untenable, Vicksburg is of no value and cannot be held. If, therefore, you are invested in Vicksburg, you must ultimately surrender. Under such circumstances, instead of losing both troops and place, we must, if possible, save the troops. If it is not too late, evacuate Vicksburg and its dependencies, and march to the northeast.
Most respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. E. Johnston,
General.