976 MO., ARK., KAN&, IND. T., AND DEPT. N. W. [CHAP. XXV.

that I had more than one available, and that I could still be allowed to retain the worst battery for myself. As I had but one, I thought it but just to Major-General Hindman to suppose that he did not mean to take the only battery in the Indian country and present it to Colonel Carroll. I therefore sent orders to Captains West and Corley to return and take the road by Perryville to the Canadian, which they did and when I learned that I was relieved of the command here, I informed both captains that I had no further orders to give them, and that they could either obey my first order, and go to Fort Smith, or report to Colonel Cooper for orders, as they might think proper.

In view of Colonel Cooper's urgent clamor for artillery, I thought it safest to let the only six guns available go as far as the Canadian, in the direction of Fort Gibson, from which place General Hindman could, if he wished, still direct them to Fort Smith. The remaining guns-a bronze 6-pounder and howitzer and twelve Parrott guns-are at Fort McCulloch, in charge of a few recruits and without horses. I declined a second advance of my private funds to purchase horses when Woodruff's battery left here. General Van Dorn has most of the caissons of the Parrott guns, and most of the harness, also, was appropriated at Fort Smith.

I am, very respectfully, yours,

ALBERT PIKE,

Brigadier- General, Provisional Army C. S. A

FORT WASHITA, August 3, 1862.

Major R. C. NEWTON,

Assistant Adjutant- General:

MAJOR: I received, on Monday, the order of Major-General Hindman, relieving me of the command of the forces in this Territory, and directing me to report in person at his headquarters.

During the last five months I have been compelled to disburse $680,000 of Indian moneys, under treaties, and to act in various other ways as Superintendent of Indian Affairs. Of the amount disbursed; $100,000 has been paid for feeding the Reserve Indians and Comanches, for which I have not received regular vouchers, to procure which I will probably have to go to the Wichita Agency. Fifteen thousand dollars, also, has been sent by me, by an agent, to be invested in Texas in purchasing wagons, cattle, &c. for the same Indians, and I must procure the proper vouchers for those purchases and see to the delivery of the property.

It was for the purpose of closing these and other matters of public interests, and to me involving all I am worth, and more, and for the purpose of afterward going to Richmond to settle these accounts, that I desired the leave of absence, which I hoped the general would have granted, as a matter of course, on receiving and forwarding my resignation.

Officers from Major-General Hindman's headquarters, sent to Texas in charge of horses, but whose names I do not know, are taking great pains to inform all persons that I am a defaulter in the amount of $125,000. This infamous slander I have a right, I hope, to meet at once. I have written the Secretary of War, professing my readiness to account for and pay over every dollar of public money placed in my hands, and have requested that I may be immediately ordered to Richmond to settle my accounts.

My other duties were as legitimate and important as my military duties. Great responsibility was wrongfully imposed on me when the proper officer refused to receive the Indian moneys, and resigned, leaving me to