still profess to be loyal to the South. They are so far from me that I have had little intercourse with them; the same of the Seminoles and others than those mentioned. I shall be very glad to see a superintendent, to whom I can turn over the whole subject of feeding the destitute. This matter has become interwoven with the supplies for troops in a manner that embarrasses any calculations that can be made. The disposition to drain all that can be gotten from the public crib exists with the Indian as well as with the white man. A few days since I discovered in a list of "indigents" a man with 20 negroes.

If your order Speight's brigade to move toward Vicksburg, I should like to have a regiment sent to this place to relieve the one on duty here, and one with a colonel or field officer of some character, who can be trusted for a short time whenever it may be necessary for me to move about in my district.

I have written the above with freedom, giving my own ideas; but should your views differ from mine, I shall, nevertheless, endeavor to carry out to the utmost of my power any line you may suggest.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

WM. STEELE,

Brigadier- General.

Abstract from return of the District of Arkansas, commanded by Lieutenant General Theophilus H. Holmes, for March, 1863; headquarters Little Rock, Ark.

Present for duty.

Command Officer Men Aggrega Aggregat

s te e

present present

. and

absent.

Price's division 532 6,634 8,543 13,096

Walker's division 484 6,202 8,444 12,577

Steele's division 193 2,449 3,206 7,613

Marmaduke's division 203 2,358 3,209 5,163

Cabell's brigade 96 1,483 1,830 2,703

Dobbin's regiment* ...... ....... ...... ......

Denson's company 1 52 81 153

Total 1,509 19,178 25,313 41,305

RICHMOND, April 1, 1863.

Authority is hereby granted to Colonel Stand Watie, chief of the Cherokee Nation, to raise a brigade for the Provisional Army, to consist of such force as is already in service from the Cherokee Nation, and such additional force as may be obtained from the contiguous State, without interfering with the operations of the conscript law, on such conditions as to the privilege of residence or incorporation into the Cherokee Nation of --- County, and the ownership or occupation of deserted lands and homesteads, as may be prescribed by the grand council or other legislative authority of the said Nation.

By command of the Secretary of War:

SAML. W. MELTON,

Assistant Adjutant- General.

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*No report.

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