they have an equal in the Government or not. Captain McGehee, though, will give you all the particulars of his former operations while making such desperate captures. Speed this matter, and let him return.

Believe me, your friend, truly,

JOS. F. BARTON,

Captain Company D.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. TRANS-MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT,

Numbers 57.
Little Rock, February 28, 1863.

I. Brigadier General J. C. Tappan, Provisional Army of the Confederate States, will report to Major General T. C. Hindman for assignment to the command of the brigade now commanded by Colonel J. R. Shaler.

* * * * * *

By command of Lieutenant-General Holmes:

S. S. ANDERSON,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

Abstract from consolidated report of Hindman's division, Trans-Mississippi Army, Major General Thomas C. Hindman commanding, for February 28, 1863.

Present for duty.

Aggrega

Aggrega- te pre-

Offi Aggrega- te pre- sent

Command. cers Men. te pre sent and and

sent. absent. absent

last

report.

Division staff. 11

------

11 13 12

Frost's brigade. 96 980 1,339 2,356 2,373

Fagan's brigade. 91 1,025 1,431 3,785 3,814

McRae's brigade. 128 1,227 1,753 3,105 3,566

Parsons' brigade. 130 1,703 2,443 3,692 3,744

Shaler's brigade. 70 682 1,115 3,307 3,394

Artillery of 16 224 306 414

------

division.

Coarser's company. 4 58 77 85 87

Total. 546 5,900 8,475 16,757 16,990

HEADQUARTERS TRANS-MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT,
Little Rock, March 1, 1863.

Brigadier General J. S. MARMADUKE,

Commanding Cavalry Division, near Batesville, Ark.:

GENERAL: Your communications of the 24th of February, asking authority to impress negroes and horses, have been received and laid before the lieutenant-general commanding. He directs me to say that you are authorized to make the impressments you desire. He further directs me to say that, if possible, you will impress and additional number of negroes (say 200 or 300), and send them to Little Rock for employment in the department at this place.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN W. HINSDALE,

Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.