Office Provost Marshal

Ft. Pillow Tenn

Dec 16, 1863.

 

Maj. Genl. S. A. Hurlbut

Comdg 16^th Army Corps

Memphis Tenn

                                               

Genl,

Your communication of yesterdays date with Mr Dawsons letter enclosed is at hand. In reply I beg to submit the following.

 

                        It is hardly necessary to say I plead "not guilty" to the charges. I am surprised that such charges could have arisen. I have caused, Tho^s Dawson, son of Mr Harrison Dawson and author of the letter upon which the charges seem to have been made, to make affidavit which is herewith enclosed.

 

                        The affidavit may be a sufficient / answer to the charges; but that you may fully understand how business has been conducted at the Post I wish to add—

 

                        Since the opening of an office of Board of Trade at this Post June 13, 1863 the military authorities have had nothing at all to do with permitting goods through the lines. I understood by Paragraph I Genl Orders No 88 War Department dated March 31, 1863 that I, as an army officer, was prohibited from interfering in any way with the transportation of goods after arrangements had been completed here for carrying out the "Trade Regulations" of the Secretary of the Treasury, except under the circumstances named in that order. I have given no permit to pass goods of any character through the lines since June 13, 1863. Parties taking goods through the lines have been required to have a permit from the Board of Trade. / I find on enquiry that the bale of blankets referred to in the accompanying affidavit was permitted to Dr E. R. Peste of Lipton Co Tenn by the Treasury Officers of St Louis on recommendation of the Board of Trade at this place dated October 15. 1863. I knew nothing of the blankets having been passed out until today—or even of their having been here at all.

 

                        The powers granted me as Provost Marshal by Genl Orders No 57 Dep't of the Tenn dated Sept 26, 1863 were not exercised by me in a single instance, and by the Commander of this Post in but very few cases.

 

                        I enclose a copy of Genl Orders No 27 Post of Ft Pillow issued on the first reception (through unofficial channels) of Genl Orders No 157 16^th Army Corps dated Nov 15, 1863. The enclosed certificate from examining Surgeon will show that my duties under the Order were promptly met. The number named in the certificate em- / braces all the citizens who were within the lines of this Post at that time subject to the Order.

 

                        In general I would say it has always been my pleasure, as it is my duty to obey, strictly, every order that comes to me properly authenticated from my Commanding Officers.

 

                        If I may be permitted I would say of Col Wolfe Comdg this Post that I am sure no one could be more stringent in the enforcement of Orders.          

 

I am Genl

With high Regard

Your Obt Servt

Ross Guffin Capt and Prov Marsh

 

Recd H.Q. 16^th A.C. 19^th Dec, 1863                           

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