Head Quarters, District of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona,

Houston, April 9^th , 1865.

 

Dear Sir.

                        I have just received your letter of the 27^th ultimo, and in answer state that I have no recollection of a conversation with Mr. Kavanaugh. In sending an order to Gen. Price as he was coming thro' the Indian Territory, I addressed a private note in a kind spirit to Gen. Price welcoming him back as one soldier would do another and telling him that his expedition had been in some respects successful, producing a diversion which drew troops from Mobile and other points east of the Miss. River to Missouri and creating a corresponding relief by these movements. I kept no copy of the note and have but an indistinct recollection of its contents. I made no allusion to you whatever and said nothing of Gen. Price's conduct, of which I knew nothing, and which was not in question, but spoke of what I believed to be the beneficial effects in general. I will request Gen. Price, if he has retained the note to send me a copy, when I will with pleasure furnish you with one which will speak for itself.

 

It is quite possible that Mr. Kavanaugh may have conversed with me on this subject and I have forgotten all about it. I will state now however that if Gen. Price, or any other officer had gone through Missouri with ten or twelve thousand men, horses, &c, as he started with I should consider it a success.

 

            I have never seen Dr. Kavanaugh's article in the "Telegraph" to which you allude, and whilst I speak with the greatest openness, I am not in the habit of associating with persons who publish my opinions in the newspapers without my consent.

 

I am Sir, Very Respy

Your Obdt. Servt.

  Bankhead Magruder

       Major General

 

To his Excellency                                           

            Gov. Thos. C. Reynolds                                           

                        Marshall Texas                                                    

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