CHAP. XXV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-CONFEDERATE. 977

pay them out; and the public interest imperatively requires that these matters should be closed.

My services cannot be greatly needed elsewhere for the brief time that will elapse before the pleasure of the President is made known in regard to my resignation, and I think my continued presence in the country may be of benefit in the mean time, especially with the Reserve Indians and wild tribes, among whom I shall have to go.

Another duty, still imposed on me, is that of examining and passing on, under a special act of Congress, the claims created by acting quartermasters and commissaries of Indian troops prior to their being regularly mustered into the service. By the act, no one else can do it, nor can the claims be otherwise paid.

I therefore respectfully renew my request for leave of absence until my resignation is acted on, and also beg to be informed if that resignation has been forwarded to the President.

I am, major, very respectfully, yours,

ALBERT PIKE,

Brigadier-General Provisional Army, C. S. A.

HEADQUARTERS OF INDIAN DEPARTMENT,
Cantonment Davis, August 7, 1862.

Major General T. C. HINDMAN, Commanding, &c:

GENERAL: I inclose a document (printed), which reached here yesterday by express, purporting to be published by Brigadier-General Pike. I consider it dangerous, and have suppressed all copies in my reach, of which a large number were directed to various chiefs and Indian colonels of regiments. The enemy being still near this post, it is considered improper and dangerous to allow the information furnished by General Pike as to the forces under my command, and the most advantageous route by which the enemy could turn my left and enter the Creek and Seminole country, to fall into the hands of Federal officers who command the Indian forces in the pay of the United States Government, as well as the white troops of the Indian expedition.

I have also ordered the arrest of General Pike, and that he be conveyed out of the Indian Territory to your headquarters. I consider that he is partially deranged, and a dangerous person to be at liberty among the Indians. If sane, he should be punished for violation of the Rules and Articles of War, and the act of the Confederate Congress prohibiting publications in regard to the strength and movements of the Confederate forces.

I am, general, yours, respectfully,

DOUGLAS H. COOPER,

Colonel, Commanding.

P. S.---I have also ordered the arrest of Captain Hamilton Pike (and his company), who left here yesterday declaring an intention to take his command out of this department and report to Colonel Carroll. This, if it occurs, will be the second desertion by a captain and his company to the standard of Colonel Carroll, who has encouraged such acts. In case General Pike should have left for Richmond, it will, I submit, be prudent to send the document inclosed to the President, with a copy of this letter, and such remarks as you deem proper.

* Inclosure not found. Reference is either to the address, on p. 869, or to General Orders, No.-, July 17, 1862, on p.970.

62 R R-VOL XIII