CHAP. XXV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.---CONFEDERATE. 967

my actions are by your orders, and that those orders must be obeyed as long as they are in force. I have no desire to get into any controversy, and will simply write General Pike that I am only obeying your orders, and, if he is not satisfied, that you, and not myself; are the person to whom he must direct his correspondence on such matters. Examine your orders to me, letters to General Pike's staff, and their reply, and do me justice, is all I ask.

I am, general, with great respect, your obedient servant,

N. B. PEARCE,

Major, &c

[inclosures.]

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OP INDIAN TERRITORY,
Port McCulloch, July 1, 1862.

Major N. B. PEARCE,

Acting Commissary of Subsistence, Fort Smith:

MAJOR: I inclose you, for your information, a copy of an act of Congress,* which seems to have escaped your observation. I am engaged, as they are presented, in examining the class of accounts provided for by that act; and, as I pass upon them, if I approve them, the brigade quartermaster receives orders from me to pay them. These orders he will undoubtedly obey.

I am, very respectfully, yours,

ALBERT PIKE,

Brigadier-General, Comdg. Department of Indian Territory.

[Indorsement]

I presume General Pike's letter is occasioned by the marked notice inclosed.

N. B. PEARCE,

Major, &O

[sub-inclosure]]

FORT SMITH, June 25, 1862.

SPECIAL NOTICE.-In order to facilitate settling up the outstanding debts of the quartermaster's, commissary, and ordnance departments in Western Arkansas and the Indian Territory, I request that all persons having accounts against the Government present the same at my office, at Fort Smith, when they will be audited, and as soon as funds are obtained, on estimates made on the information thus obtained, the accounts will be paid off.

N. B. PEARCE,

Major and Acting Quartermaster.

SPECIAL ORDERS
HDQRS. TRANS-MISSISSIPPI DISTRICT,

No. 17.
Little Rock, Ark., June 17, 1862.

* * * * *

III. Major N. B. Pearce is assigned to duty as commissary, acting quartermaster, and acting ordnance officer at Fort Smith. All officers, agents, and contractors in or for either of these departments in the Indian Territory, and in the counties of Benton, Washington, Crawford,

Not found.