matter, and reciprocally on both sides of the Rio Grande they oblige themselves to execute and comply with it from this date, and continue the same until expressly advised that their acts in the premises are dis approved by their respective Governments. ART. VII. Requisitions made on this city will be directed as before designated, but those necessarily made at other points on the line of the frontier will be exclusively made on the military commanders named by the respective generals, who will carefully instruct them previously, in conformity with this arrangement. Done in the city of heroic Matamoras, on the 19th day of December, 1864. TOMAS MEJIA. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS, Brig. Gen. W. R. BOGGS, Chief of Staff: GENERAL: Your letter of the 5th instant (5147) has been received. I had reorganized Shelby's and Cabell's brigades, and have ordered Shelby to Red River County, Tex., before your letter was received. As I have explained to you in my letter of the 11th instant, I expect to send Shelby north of the Arkansas River to bring the absentees from the army now scattered in that section of the country; consequently it is necessary for him to go to some point like Clarksville where supplies can be had, and he can have his horses shod, and make the necessary preparation for the anticipated expedition. In order to carry out your instructions to burn the cotton east of the Ouachita River, and further to obstruct the communication of the enemy via Arkansas River, from Pine Bluff to Mississippi River, which is now in daily use, and if a favorable opportunity should arise, to take possession of Pine Bluff, also to subsist the cavalry, I have ordered General Clark to establish his command in Union County, Ark., near the Louisiana line and in rear of Pigeon Hill, Ark.; also Brooks' command I have stationed near the Arkansas River, with orders to obstruct, as much as possible, the navigation of the Arkansas River, between Little Rock and Fort Smith, which I deemed of great importance. In order to carry out my views in regard to Shelby's expedition north of Arkansas River, and to carry out your instructions, I deem it impracticable to send the cavalry to Dallas, Kaufman, and Van Zandt Counties, as they would then be 200 miles farther off from the points where I wish them to operate. General Shelby will not take over 1,500 cavalry with him on his expedition. All the rest not required for immediate use here can be sent to Titus County where, by the list submitted to me by the department commander, there appears to be 20,000 bushels of tithe corn and 38,000 bushels in Upshur County, the next county to it. The counties of Van Zandt and Kaufman have only 14,000 bushels of corn; the county of Dallas has very little corn also. Instead of these, which are proposed by the department commander before he saw the list of counties with tithe corn, I respectfully request that should Shelby not be allowed to remain in Red River County, that he be subsisted in Titus and Upshur, except that portion which I propose to send north of Arkansas River. The enemy appears to be concentrating troops at Little Rock, a very small garrison being reported at Pine Bluff, and Fort Smith being either evacuated or left with a small garrison. I think also that his veteran infantry are being sent down the Mississippi River, and that he proposes an invasion with his cavalry into Northern Texas, either by this route or the Line road. The remainder of Shelby's cav alry cannot consequently be safely sent farther than Red River, Titus, or Upshur Counties. I inclose you a letter from General Shelby, complaining that the officer at Clarksville refused to issue supplies to his troops. In view of the facts that the corn, fodder, and other supplies in Sevier County, Ark., have been used by troops not belonging to this district, and also that a large quantity of subsistence stores, which had been accumulated at Laynesport for the use of General Price's army, was taken and consumed by Gano's command, and which, if they had not been taken, would have been ample to supply Shelby for a considerable time, I would respectfully ask that these officers be instructed to issue to General Shelby's command such supplies as may be required. I have no engineer to place in charge of the works on Red River. Captain Mackey, Engineer Corps, is here, and as he is thoroughly acquainted with the country, I desire that he should be retained here to take charge of this work. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. B. MAGRUDER, Major-General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS, Maj. Gen. T. J. CHURCHILL, Commanding Division: GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs that you distrib ute the recruits of your command at once to the different companies. You will arm them and make them ready with ammunition and equipments, as far as you can, for the field at once. Hold three brigades in readiness to march at a moment's warning to Dooley's Ferry and Fulton, each bringing all their axes, spades, &c., for working upon fortifications. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, M. M. KIMMEL, Major and Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS, Maj. Gen. J. F. FAGAN, Commanding Cavalry: GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs that you order General Shelby to hold his command in hand to advance by way of Fulton, get ammunition there, and proceed to the front via Washington to meet the enemy. If he hears of the enemy via the Line road he will cross at Laynesport, if possible. The ammunition is at Fulton, say 90,000 rounds of all kinds. It must be sent at once to Shelby by empty wagons returning to Clarksville. You will get ammunition for Clark's and Cabell's brigades from Lieutenant-Colonel Taylor, ordnance officer of this district. A battery for each division of cavalry will be turned over ready for service with appropriate ammunition at once by Major Magruder, chief of artillery. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, M. M. KIMMEL, Major and Assistant Adjutant-General. CIRCULAR.] HDQRS. DISTRICT OF INDIAN TERRITORY, The following letter, received from department headquarters, is hereby published for the information and guidance of the officers of this mili tary district; a compliance therewith is required: Maj. W. H. HAYNES, HEADQUARTERS TRANS-MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT, Chief Clothing Bureau: MAJOR: I am directed by the general commanding to say that in making the uniform frock coats in future you will be guided and governed by the regulations prescribed for the "uniform and dress of the Army," published in General Orders, No. 9, Adjutant and Inspector General's Office, series of 1861, and the plates accompanying said orders. In the matter of trimming the regulations cannot in all cases be carried out, but as to the length of the coat, it can always be done, and must be. You will give the necessary orders to meet the requirements of these instructions to the several officers of your department; and any deviation therefrom will subject the delinquent party to trial by court-martial, and removal from the position he may occupy. The district commanders will each be furnished with a copy of this letter. I am, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, [Indorsement.] S. S. ANDERSON, Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS TRANS-MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT, Shreveport, December 31, 1864. Respectfully forwarded to Major-General Maxey, commanding district of Indian Territory, for his information, and who will see that these instructions are fully carried out in his district. V. Brigadier-Generals Roane, McNair, and Hawthorn will hold their brigades in readiness to march at a moment's notice to Dooley's Ferry and Fulton, each bringing all their axes, spades, &c, for working upon fortifications. By command of Major-General Churchill: HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS, Brig. Gen. W. R. BOGGS, GENERAL: I wrote you a few days since that Fort Smith was being evacuated, and that it would not be well to send up any considerable number of troops for its occupation and defense; first, because of the want of supplies; secondly, most of the troops ought to be kept in |