CHAP. XXV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.---CONFEDERATE. 969

tracts which have not been completed; in fact, all the information necessary to enable me fully to understand the operations, necessities, and condition of your department.

I am, with respect, your obedient servant,

N. B. PEARCE,

Major and Assistant Quartermaster.

FORT SMITH, ARK., June 24, 1862.

ORDNANCE OFFICER, GENERAL PIKE'S COMMAND:

SIR: Inclosed I send you a copy of General Hindman's order to me. You will at once give me, in detail, a full statement of the condition of your department, giving amount of ammunition on hand, and stores of all kinds; the facilities of repairing arms, &c. The funds in your possession you will send to me by some safe conveyance. You will please make your report full, so as to enable me to fully understand the operations, necessities, &c., of the department.

I am, with respect, your obedient servant

N. B. PEARCE,

Major and Acting Ordnance Officer.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF INDIAN TERRITORY,
Port McCulloch, Cherokee Nation, July 2, 1862. Major N. B. FEAROE,

Commissary of Subsistence, C. S. Army, Port Smith, Ark.:

MAJOR: I have the honor to hand you herewith a copy of a letter from General Hindman to General Pike of the 23d [24th] ultimo, and also of General Orders, No. -,* from headquarters of this department, of the 30th. I am instructed by the commanding general to say that all supplies for this department must be provided by his order, and that he will not permit any purchases or contracts to be made for the troops under his command unless by his order or with his approval.

I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

THOS. LANIGAN,

Major and Commissary of Subsistence.

OFFICE OF QUARTERMASTER'S DEPT. OF INDIAN TER.,

Port McCulloch, Cherokee Nation, July 4, 1862.

Major N. B. Pearce,

Commissary of Subsistence and Acting Quartermaster:

MAJOR: Your communication, inclosing General Hindman's Special Orders, No. 17, was received on the 30th ultimo.

At the time of the reception of the communication, I could not conceive that the funds in my possession could be turned over to you without infracting positive regulations and the act of Congress. If you were only an acting quartermaster, you could not receive funds, to say nothing of ordering me to yield what I had in possession. Besides, if you were a bonded quartermaster, your commission could not possibly give you precedence over me, simply because my commission would necessarily bear priority of date. But supposing these views incorrect, the