11/2/61 James M Morgan enlisted by Major McCray at Jacksonport
11/10/61 HQs, Pocahontas, Col Borland cdg to Gen Polk-Since my dispatch of the night of the 5th I have continued my steps of precaution and preparation for defense without intermission. Details in respect to them are at present unnecessary…
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Of the forces under my command I briefly report - for there are so few of them that a brief report will cover them easily.
1. My own cavalry regiment, seven companies, number 460, and are stationed for purposes of observation, convenience of supplies, &c., between this and Pitman's Ferry, with several companies at and near the ferry, throwing forward scouts, &c. In this service it is very constantly occupied and has been all summer and fall, until pretty well used up.
2. Col McCown's [McCarver’s] five co’s of infantry (raw troops), men and officers, number 378, indifferently armed and but slightly trained.
3. Major Desha's four co’s infantry number 238, in the same condition as McCown's [McCarver’s].
This is my whole permanent force. In addition, for this emergency, I have stopped here in passing and retain for the present Captain Roberts' company, about 60 men, nominally artillery, but without a battery, but armed and pretty well drilled as infantry, and about 150 recruits for the army, brought here by Major McCray and Captains White and Kykendall, and retained here by me, as is Captain Roberts' company; altogether about 1,286 men. Of these, owing to much sickness; casualties, necessary details for guards, nurses, &c., as you will readily apprehend, I cannon, as I have ascertained by careful examination, count on more than 600 for fighting service.
All even of these must be regarded as raw, inexperienced, and poorly disciplined, and indifferently armed….
12/17/61 Pocahontas-Rec’d 2 pairs of socks from QM-signed James M Morgan, Co A, McCray’s Ark Bn
4/16 James M Morgan appointed Major-election declared illegal by Gen Bragg
-5/26 Not re-elected at reorganization
-Relieved at reorganization, illegally elected Major
10/8/62 Chattanooga-Maj Morgan tenders his resignation as Major of the 22nd Ark Inf regt [??]
WAR DEPT., C. S. A., Richmond, Va., August 12, 1863. Lieut. Gen. E. KIRBY SMITH, Commanding, & c.: GENERAL: This will be handed you by Colonel McCray, of the Thirty- first Arkansas Regiment, who has been ordered to report to you for assignment to duty temporarily in the Trans-Mississippi Department, his regiment having been for a time united with another. Colonel McCray, like several other officers, has made application for authority to institute special enterprises against the shipping and trade of the enemy on the Mississippi. I have explained to you, in other letters, that, being unwilling at this distance and with my limited knowledge to conclude definitely on these propositions, I prefer that they should be considered and decided on by you, and invest you with the requisite authority to do so. I enclose the proposition made by Colonel McCray,# which has the merit of boldness in conception, and, with fortune and skill, not impossible of partial if not of complete success. 1 do not, however, wish you to be influenced by any judgment of mine in regard to it. Colonel McCray is personally known to you through past services, and feels full confidence that his qualifications (such as they are) will be appreciated and properly employed by you. You will note the great stress I lay in this and other letters on the interruption of communication and trade on the Mississippi River by the enemy…J. A. SEDDON, Secretary of War.
SHREVEPORT, LA., September 14, 1863.
General JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON:
MY DEAR GENERAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt, from Colonel [T. H.] McCray, of your letter of the 27th ultimo.
It has always been my intention to send back to you, when it should become practicable, such men of your command as have found their way to this side of the river. The vigilance of the enemy along the Mississippi makes crossing, even for individuals, extremely hazardous; therefore, bodies of men have not been allowed to make the attempt.
I have put Colonel McCray to work to collect all the men of General McNair's brigade. As soon as communication is again established, these and all others can return to you, but till that time I think it useless to make the attempt. I sincerely hope affairs in your department wear a brighter aspect than they do in mine. I have but a handful of men to oppose the overwhelming masses of the enemy.
The preparations making by them at all points, and the occupation of a large party of Grant's force west of the Mississippi, indicate a determination to overrun at least Louisiana and Arkansas, with the probable intention of holding the country and bringing these States back into the Union.
Hoping, general, that success may crown your every effort for the public good, I am, truly, yours,
E. KIRBY SMITH,