HDQRS. FIRST DIV., DETACH. ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
On Steamer Diadem, Vicksburg, Miss., February 15, 1865.

Lieutenant Colonel S. P. JENNISON,

Commanding First Brigade:

SIR: The general commanding division directs that your command debark at once, taking everything ashore.

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

W. H. F. RANDALL,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

WASHINGTON, D. C., February 15, 1865.

Major General J. J. REYNOLDS,

Little Rock, Ark:

General Grant approves the disposition of troops as proposed in your dispatch of the 8th. In effecting these changes you must, however, provide for the reoccupation of Fort Smith as early as possible.

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF EASTERN ARKANSAS,
Helena, Ark., February 15, 1865.

Major General E. R. S. CANBY,

Commanding Military Division of West Mississippi:

GENERAL: The state of my health has compelled [me[to write the letter, of which I inclose you a copy, to Major-General Reynolds. As it is more than probable he will refer the matter to you, I feel authorized to send you the copy so as to bring the matter to your attention earlier than it can be done via Little Rock. If relieved from duty at this place I shall take no aide-de-camp with me, as I have none, mine having been mustered out with their commands and none assigned to me since. It is therefore necessary that I should have Captain T. C. Meatyard, assistant adjutant-general, with me, who is a very efficient officer, and who has been with me from the beginning of the war in several different capacities.

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,

N. B. BUFORD,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

[Inclosure.]

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF EASTERN ARKANSAS,
Helena, Ark., February 15, 1865.

Major General J. J. REYNOLDS,

Commanding Department of Arkansas:

GENERAL: I have been in the South four summers, and at this unhealthy post for seventeen months, and I find my health so seriously affected by the climate and the perplexing duties that I feel compelled to ask you for a change or a respite. It is my ardent desire to continue in the service until the close of the war, and if kept here I may be obliged to ask for a leave of absence, but that is not my desire. A change is necessary. At this post I have watched the guerrilla parties on both sides the River, the smugglers, whose name is legion, and the