in charge reports that General Polk declines to furnish an escort. Attention is again called to the seizure of arms in transit to the Trans-Mississippi.

J. GORGAS.

[Second indorsement.]

APRIL 21, 1864.

ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERAL:

Renew the instructions to General Polk to furnish the escort. The transportation of these arms is of great importance. Also prohibit the taking of arms in transitu, which has been a great abuse and has produced mischievous effects more than once.

J. A. S[EDDON].

[Third indorsement.]

APRIL 23, 1864.

General POLK:

Arms for the Trans-Mississippi Department must not be stopped. You will furnish such escort as may be required.

S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General.

[Inclosure Numbers 1.] SELMA, ALA., April 7, 1864.

* * * * * *

I have everything in readiness as far as is in my power to forward the arms, but General Polk, for what reasons I know not, except that it is not convenient for him, refuses to give the necessary assistance. I forwarded the papers in relation thereto to Senator Mitchell by mail yesterday for his information, as he was especially delegated here by the honorable Secretary of War to attend to that matter.

* * * * * *

T. H. PRICE,

Major.

[Inclosure Numbers 2.] Statement of arms in transitu to Trans-Mississippi Department, and taken by order of Lieutenant- General Polk, and by officers under his command, as follows:

Taken from-- By-- Kind of arm. Caliber No.

Messenger Order of Austrian

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1,000

Bowie. General Polk. rifles.

Messenger do. Percussion .69 700

Gorham. muskets.

Do. do. Mississippi .54 113

rifles.

Do. do. Belgian .70 7

rifles.

Do. do. Austrian .54 186

rifles.

Depot, Lieutenant- do. .54 537

Meridian. Colonel

Kennard.

Monticello, Colonel Unknown.

------

a326

Miss. Dillon.

Total.

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------------

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2,869

aAbout.