This letter was forwarded to Colonel J. S. Ford for his information, at the same time notifying him that Colonel Fisher was not known at these headquarters, and that his proposals should be well investigated and his status defined before placing any trust therein, and advising him to place himself in communication with Colonel Fisher at once.

I am, general, very respectfully, &c.,

J. E. SLAUGHTER,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.

Abstract from return of the First Sub-District, Galveston, Tex., Brigadier General J. M. Hawes commanding, for the month of May, 1864; headquarters Galveston.

Present for

duty.

Command. Officers. Men. Aggregate Aggregate Aggregat

present. present e last

and monthly

absent. return.

General 14 ......... 14 14 14

staff

1st 17 321 437 516 472

Regiment

Heavy

Artiller

y,

Lieutena

nt

Colonel

John H.

Manly

Elmore's 26 715 831 1,161 1,069

regiment

, Major

Robert

E. Bell

2nd 23 210 322 414 381

Texas

Infantry

, Major

George

W. L.

Fly

Timmons' 27 302 376 544 482

regiment

,

Captain

L. d.

Bradley

Brown's 15 253 305 438 452

regiment

,

Lieutena

nt

Colonel

S. W.

Perkins

Light 3 90 119 196 200

battery,

Captain

A. E.

Dege

Hobby's 17 370 430 559 559

regiment

,

Lieutena

nt

Colonel

John

Ireland

1st 1 44 49 103 106

Company

Engineer

s,

Captain

M. G.

Howe

2nd 2 35 37 60 60

Company

Engineer

s,

Lieutena

nt N.

H. Smith

Total 145 2,340 2,920 4,005 3,795

HEADQUARTERS TRANS-MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT,
Shreveport, La., June 1, 1864.

To the Citizens of the Trans-Mississippi Department:

I have deemed it my duty to issue a general order directing the purchase, and if necessary the impressment, of one-half the cotton in this department to supply the pressing wants of our armies in the field. Your soldiers are the sole reliance for the defense of the country from invasion and desolation. They have recently furnished you a signal instance of their willingness and ability to defend your homes. Without munitions of war, clothing, and medicines they cannot be kept in the field. These articles can be obtained only by importation.

Cotton is the sole means of purchase. In the same lofty spirit of patriotism which leads your sons and bothers to officers their lives for your protection will not you sell to the Government the only product by which their valor can be made effective against the public enemy? The impressment of cotton will be avoided if possible. But supplies for the army must be had. It is left with you to determine whether for the preservation of your homes you will force the Government to resort to impressment.

E. KIRBY SMITH,

General, Commanding.