Hd Qrs Dist Ark & W. La

May 15^th 1865

 

                       

My dear General:

                                                            I send you by the courier the only instructions that will meet the code. I appreciate your feelings and deeply sympathize with you in the conduct of some of your men. Some will remain true. Those who do not, deserve the slavery into which they are impatiently rushing. It is only left to us now to push forward towards the South, with a view to our ultimate purposes. The faithless will go. We have only to hold our men in hand as long as we can. You may say, if you choose, that though they will be held as a Confederate force until the Department Commander has exhausted every effort at resistance, that such terms will be made, if they adhere to their colors, as will either permit them to go to their homes and be granted immunity for the past, or be permitted to seek homes in other countries. Assure them that every man who deserts his colors before that time will have no security to be exempted for his past conduct, and that the military authorities will not consider / themselves bound to make any stipulations in their behalf.

 

                        You can also say, if you think proper, that at the right time, an opportunity will be afforded to such as choose to go, to retain their organizations and to make their homes in Mexico.

 

            This organization is large. By those already engaged in it, I have been selected as the leader. If such should be the general desire I will accept it—otherwise I will not. The Missourians are yet true. Their infantry and cavalry regard me as their leader. You can use these facts as you think best with a view to keeping as many men as possible. The purpose is known to Gen Smith and we are acting in concert. Whoever may fall away, my dear General, some of us, at least, will be true to honor and manhood. I wish I could confer with you. You will probably meet Bagby at Mansfield. He is fully advised and will talk with you freely.

 

            The general object now is to push every thing towards interior Texas and to cover the movement, as far as practicable with the remains of the cavalry. Use such repressive measures as you feel that you have the power to do, and think proper. Endeavor to keep with the faithful all the public pro- / perty. The army will melt. It is a necessity to which we may have to yield notwithstanding every exertion to repress disorder.

                                                                                   

Truly Yr friend

(signed)           S. B. Buckner

 

To

Maj. Gen. Harry T. Hays

            Natchitoches, La.

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