Head Qrs Dist Ark & W. La

Shreveport, 16 May 1865.

 

General.

            The Lieut Genl comdg directs me to write you as follows:

 

You will destroy the forts & heavy artillery at Alexandria without delay. Capt Randolph, Chf Engr, has specific instructions. You will authorize Genl Brent to move up whenever he deems it necessary to Natchitoches & to Mansfield.

 

You will order to Mansfield the last brigade of your division & proceed in person as soon as you can make the proper arrangements, to take charge of your division.

 

At the earliest moment practicable you will put the entire division in march in one or more columns, by the best routes to Hempstead, Texas. Logansport is suggested as the point of crossing the Sabine, and Nacogdoches & Huntsville as points on the route. No doubt is entertained that there will be sufficient supplies, & authority is hereby given to make all necessary impressments. You had better take with you, if practicable, a pontoon equipage of twelve or fifteen boats. There is a little corn at Manny & depots at Mansfield & Kerchi for the Cavalry.

 

Public property which cannot be removed will be disposed of to purchasers. Certificates of indebtedness & / Confederate money will, if necessary, be recd in payment.

 

All field artly and arms will be removed as far as practicable. Arms and ammunition which cannot be removed will be destroyed.

 

Capt Carter has been directed to move the "Missouri" up the river.

 

You will have the courier lines kept open as far down as practicable. Direct Capt Gray to place any courier companies which may be disposable on a line from Marshall to Hempstead, Texas, and order that officer to change his Hd Qrs at once to this place.

 

Brig Gen Bagby is ordered to take command of the Sub Dist W. La. You can relinquish it to Gen Brent whenever yr presence is necessary with yr division, and Genl Brent will exercise the command until Genl Bagby assumes it.

 

You will notify Brig Genl Brent of the general movement so that he can act in accordance with it.

 

The men in hospital will be furloughed if able to travel, or discharged the service in any other case

                                                                                   

I am, Genl

Yr obt Servt

J. N. Gallegher

A.A.G.

 

Maj Genl H. T. Hays                                                              

            Comdg &c                                                                              

                        Natchitoches                                                                           

                                    La /

 

P. S. a medl offr will be left in charge of sick at each hospital.

            If you can, move with you the 20 pdr Parrott in fort below.

        J.N.G.

 

Head Qrs Sub Dist W. La

            Natchitoches, La. May 17. 1865.

                        Official

                                    Saml Flower

                                                A.A.A.G.

 

[overleaf]

 

May 16^th 1865

Lt Gen Buckner's

orders to Maj

Gen Hays relating

to movements

of troops—

SOURCES