Taken from “The Alexander Papers” unless otherwise noted
Correspondence is either to or from General Hindman unless otherwise indicated
6/1 Spec Orders #1
II. Lt. Col. Burleson will upon his arrival at Camp Cache under orders given him assume command of the Missouri troops under Capt. Ponder and others and all other mounted men between the White and Ms Rivers, and will also take all persons within those limits liable to conscription and use them to assist him in the execution of sealed orders given him, allowing them to act with his command temporarily as cavalry if they furnish their own horses. He will enroll all men thus taken as conscripts and make report to these HQs showing their names and places of residence that they may be assigned in due time to the proper infantry companies.
6/3 Spec Order #3 HQs Advance of the Army of the TM Dist.-LtCol Burleson to cover the foraging duty conducted by Capt Moseley [later in 32nd Ark]-who is directed to report to Burleson
6/5 [LITTLE ROCK] ARK TRUE DEMOCRAT, Tx Dragoons.—This splendid body of Cav, under the command of Col Parsons, has been near the city for some few days past. Under the general order calling all the troops across the Ms, to which place their Col had gone in advance to make the necessary arrangements for their transportation to Corinth. Before, however, the second division had reached Memphis, the order was changed, and the advance corps ordered back to Little Rock. Hence, it was that Col Parsons was not present in propria persona at the fight near Searcy. This Regt is composed of able bodied, representative men, from the best portions of Tx—men of energy, bravery and perseverance. The gallant Col Parsons is a true exponent of such men; and his re-election under the late act of Congress fully attests his popularity and the appreciation of his men. He was re-elected by acclamation, and with a shout that echoed for miles down the valley. We cheerfully accord to the Col the honor of having the best drilled Cav Regt in the service—the result of patient, persevering labor on the part of their cdr, who adds to his progressive promptness and decision of character, just enough of red tape-ism to render him, in our estimation, the type of the man for the times. Under the reorganization, Col Parsons was re-elected, Col A. B. Burleson elected Lt. Col and L. L. Farrar, Major. The Lt. Col and Major under the old organization resigned, refusing a re-election. We predict a high place on the roll of fame for this body of men, and that right soon, unless the signs of the times deceive us badly
6/5 Hindman to Col Parsons, Brownsville-send Col Burleson to Camp Cache giving him dtchmt of Ark cavalry 250-300 strong-it was not intended to take away any part of your regt proper except the Lt Col I have confidence in his judgment
6/7 Telegram from Rust to Hindman, from Searcy via Brownsville-I got here a little before 12 last night. As soon as possible I will endeavor to reduce chaos to something like order and turn a satisfactory report. Burleson is still here and I am preparing written instructions for him…
6/8 Brownsville, Rust to Hindman-A number of the Ark Co’s ordered to cross White River under Col Burleson have dismounted. Shall I make up the deficit from Tx troops? We are sufficiently weak here already. I ordered Col Parsons back last night. Strength between 1200-1300-Detailed report forwarded this evening.
6/8 Hindman to Rust-send no Tx troops to E side of White River-Burleson to take the Ark cavalry only, Darnell and Sweet should join you tonight...
6/9 Hindman to Gen Roan, cdg Ouachita district- all co’s of mounted men raised on east side of White River and which it may not be practicable to at once convert to Inf to report to Lt Col Burleson at Camp Cache.
Burleson to go, if he has not yet, to that camp and take command and to organize conscripts and vols as well as these co’s as mounted Inf not to raise more than 10 Co’s including those there now none to exceed 100 men regt thus formed will be commanded by him temporarily
Charles Matlock is ordered to report to him for duty as Lt Col until further orders
6/9 Newton to Rust, cdg Advance-Gen Hindman directs that all companies of mounted men now on the this side of White River composed wholly or chiefly of men raised east of that river, and which it may not be practicable at once to convert into Infantry, be ordered to Camp Cache. If Col Burleson has not yet gone to Camp Cache he will be ordered there, without delay, with instructions to assume immediate command of the troops at than place and to organize conscripts and volunteers properly, as mounted Inf for the war, to receive same pay as infantry, besides forage for their horses and to be dismounted whenever it is deemed expedient.
Col Burleson will not be authorized to raise more than ten companies, including those that are there now, and those going there under this order; no company to exceed 100 men, rank & file, and those which exceed this number will be reorganized and reduced to the above prescribed number - he will make report of each company as it is organized.
The regiment thus formed will be commanded by Col. Burleson, temporarily, Charles H. Matlock, is ordered to report to him for duty as Lieut. Col. until further orders.
Col Burleson will subsist arm and equip his command at the expense of the Confederate States, by purchase when practicable, at the prices fixed by G O No. 4, as to articles therein specified and at reasonable prices for articles not named therein and he is authorized, if necessary, to impress what may be requested for the service but he is to appoint by written order an AQM, an Ordnance officer and Commissary & by them only must purchases and impressments be made for articles needed in their respective departments. In all cases certificates in due form must be given, approved by Col Burleson.
Col Burleson will collect all arms and ammunition from men not now in Confederate service or who do not at once swear in - all surplus arms he will have sent to this place. All extra baggage of Col Burleson’s command will be sent to the rear at once. Transportation and baggage will be regulated or prescribed by G O No. 11, a copy of which is enclosed. In no case will transportation be increased to more than the amount allowed by this order and all extra wagons will be sent to this place.
Col Burleson will have all cotton in Jackson and St. Francis counties burned without delay. Persons resisting or refusing to aid in the execution of this order or who conceal cotton and refuse to point it out will be treated as traitors. Those already giving aid and comfort to the enemy will be hanged - assistance will be afforded citizens in removing beef, corn, bacon & etc. to Des Arc, and Devall’s Bluff for use of the Confederate Army.
6/11 Rust to Hindman-Lt Col Burleson started with three Ark Co’s amounting in aggregate to 260 men this evening. I instructed him fully.
6/11 Hindman to Lt Col Burleson, Des Arc-not necessary to get any details from Parsons’ regt-move forward and organize forces rapidly arrest and punish marauders-set up couriers with Col A J McNeill who will be on Crowley ridge near Madison and with Col Albert Johnson who will be in Phillips county in rear of Helena-both are raising regts under orders similar to your own I expect much of you
6/11 Burleson to Hindman from Brownsville: I have just arrived. My command will be here at 12 tomorrow, 200 Ark Cavalry badly mounted and armed. I want you to let me have 250 Texans out of Col Parson’s Regt. I received your sealed orders today dated 1st/ inst. I will obey them to the letter. If possible let me have the 250 Texans and I will cover the country between White and Ms Rivers as far as Helena and form a junction with Gen Rust if he moves north.
6/11 S O #15
Capt. J. D. Pritchard is assigned duty as Quarter Master of Col Burleson’s Regiment now being organized under orders from these Head Quarters, and will report to him for duty at once.
II. Lt L. C. Gause is assigned duty as Adjt. Of Col Burleson’s Regiment, now being organized under orders from these Head Quarters, and will report to him for duty at once.
6/12 Cable from Burleson at Des Arc to Hindman: Has any officer orders of later than mine to assume command of those Missouri Co’s east of White River. If men here at this place wish to join me shall I take them?
6/12 HQs Army of the South West Little Rock, Gen [Rust] -
The letter you refer to, as sent to Col Burleson, was sent before you were assigned to the command. It is not intended to be in conflict with the instructions to you, as to his operations ...
6/12 Army of the South West S O # [2]
Col Johnson’s, Col Burleson’s & Major McNeil’s commands defined by counties
They are to conscript roving and unattached Co’s wherever raised
6/13 Burleson from Cotton Plant to Hindman about command organization-I am organizing my command as rapidly as possible. I am having success so far. I will have some seven or eight Co’s in a day or two. Capt. Pointer has resigned and I wish to know if I shall divide the Co’s to make two of them. There will be men enough to do it. The people here are all in for the fight save a few and I will start them up – certain. Answer this soon as I am anxious to go forward this evening to Camp Cache. Etc. etc
6/15 A Bn was organized at Camp Cache and Lt Col Matlock appointed by order of Gen Hindman. Two companies of Missouri troops were temporarily attached to the Regt. The Companies were then all mounted.
6/16 Burleson at Cotton Plant to Hindman-I have eight companies in camp, one on the way and others organizing. Can I receive over ten in this regiment?
There are plenty of conscripts here and I am having success generally in my command.
I dispatched Lt. _____ back with seventy five men up the river this morning with orders to burn all the cotton and get all the ammunition he could find arrest all traitors and when opportunity offers to cut off and destroy the enemy and their trains.
I have two companies of Missourians who do not wish to be organized into this regiment. I want a special order in regard to them. Their objection is that they do not wish to serve in a conscript regiment.
My men under Lt Hillsworth engaged the enemy on 6/12. Killing four and wounding seven with one prisoner. One of our men severely wounded and captured.
Plenty of forage here
I will have my regiment organized and ready to move up upon the enemy by Friday. I have some arms _____[?] need caps.
6/16 Hindman to Col Burleson, Cotton Plant-when your regt is competed accept other Co’s and form them into a Bn under command for present of senior Capt-report when your organization is complete-regarding the Missouri Co’s they must swear into the C.S.A. service unconditionally or be deprived of their arms
-their feelings will be considered when it does not conflict with public interest-attach them temp to your command if you can and make satisfactory arrangements for them if possible or if you prefer attach them at once to commands as you see proper-if they disobey take their arms
6/17 Burleson at Cotton Plant keep the Missouri men who are with you
6/18 Burleson “East of White River” to Hindman-I have your dispatch before me and in reply I will say that I am not scared at all but I am in a close place, and I will tell you General I am going to do best I can to stop them but I believe that my force will be surrounded in less than five days, if I stay here on this side of White River. The enemy are above me at Jacksonport. They are at Chalk Bluff. They are at Memphis and other points on the Ms River and coming up White River. Do you see I am surrounded and the facility for crossing White River are very poor and I can shoot the gunners and pilots on that side as well as this and I could fall back to the railroad and help you to fight them there but if cut off here I can do nothing. I can cross the river with one thousand men but if I stay here I am afraid they will be surrounded and assassinated
6/19 Burleson at Cotton Plant [wrong date?]-the officer who is so much disturbed as your dispatch shows is insecure about his position... the danger of being surrounded... you have my permission to turn over the command to Lt Col Matlock and return to your own regt
6/19 Hindman to Lt Col Matlock-Col Burleson is hereby relieved from command of troops east of White River and will report to Gen Rust. Lt Col Matlock will assume the command lately Burleson’s who will give him all instructions from here and from Gen Rust
6/19 Hindman to Col Matlock, cdg, etc- The General has just read, for the first time, a printed address of Lt Col A. B. Burleson, to “the people east of White River,” in which all persons within the ages of conscription, are ordered to report to him for duty by the 20th Inst., under penalty-In case of failure of being dealt with as “enemies and traitors.”
No authority for this communication, and no right to inflict such penalties for failing to volunteer before the 20th inst., was vested in LtCol Burleson. His conduct is therefore disapproved - the proper penalty for failing so to volunteer, is conscription. No other is authorized, except where attempts are made to evade being taken as conscripts.
6/19 Matlock at Camp Cache to Hindman -
Your dispatch of today assigning this command to me has been received. Col Burleson has obeyed and I am in command.
It is my earnest desire that he remain with me in a private capacity, leaving me the right to assign him any position I may see proper through the present emergency. I regard him a gentleman, a soldier, and the bravest of men. I am anxiously desirous that you grant this request.
6/20 Burleson to Hindman-I received your dispatch and have turned over the command to Col. Matlock with 858 men organized and by night I would have had 1000.
I am proud to be relieved of the command and also proud of the success I have had over here in raising troops.
I will go to my regiment as soon as I can.
In conclusion allow me to return to you my sincere thanks for the honor you conferred in giving me the command over here on Cache, and if I can be of service to my country or the cause you are engaged in, at any time, call on Burleson.
6/21 Hindman to Matlock-...I am very unfortunate in making myself understood. My instructions to Col Burleson were to keep a strong detachment thrown out towards Jacksonport and to have the balance ready to move to the river at a moment’s warning but not to move to the river till notified that the enemy had attacked Devall’s Bluff. All cotton to be burnt. Those instructions are still in force...
6/26 Request by Burleson to come to Little Rock- Can I have your permission to come to Little Rock to see you? Endorsed by Hindman: Col Burleson is needed now with Col Parsons’ regt- After present movement is over leave to come here is given ____________, with Gen Rust’s consent