Arkansas True Democrat, Little Rock CS
To the People of the Trans-Mississippi
Department, composed of the States of
Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas.
At no period since the commencement of the contest in which we are now engaged, has there existed a more pressing necessity for active and zealous co-operation on the part of the people of these States with the military authorities, than at the present moment. The partial occupation of the Mississippi River Line by our enemies has so far impeded communication with the other States of the Confederacy, as to compel those charged with the duty of providing for her wants of our army, to seek for and develop new sources of supply. Our army is in urgent need of blankets and clothing of every description, to enable them to withstand the rigor of the approaching winter, as well as to successfully oppose the invaders of our soil, and they can be furnished with but little from the other side of the Mississippi, or by the few manufactories now established in these States.
In this emergency, Maj. Gen'l T. H. Holmes commanding in this Department, relying confidently on the patriotism of the people, directs me to make an appeal to them for that assistance which all can afford to give without much individual inconvenience, and which, if promptly furnished, will greatly promote the success of our army. Every family throughout this Department, possessed of a spinning wheel and a loom, is requested to manufacture as large a quantity of cloth (both woolen and cotton) as the raw material at its command will permit. Those who have no facilities for spinning or weaving, may assist in the good work by making up shirts, drawers, pantaloons, coats and overcoats, and by knitting stockings, making hats or caps, and shoes, while those who have looms adapted to the purpose can furnish blankets, or some other article answering the same object.
The clerk of each county in the States named is requested, either to take charge of, or appoint some suitable person to receive and forward all goods manufactured for army purposes, in the county in which he resides, to the nearest Post Quartermaster of the Confederate States Army, who will be furnished with funds to pay for the same on delivery, with cost of transportation added. For his services the agent who may attend to the collection and forwarding of these goods, will be allowed a reasonable compensation by the Post Quartermaster to whom he delivers them. No limit will be placed on the prices of the articles thus furnished—the General commanding having the confidence that a patriotic people will not extort upon their government in its hour of need. The Post Quartermasters who receive supplies in the way indicated, are requested to forward them to these headquarters without delay, and, as far as possible, to keep this office advised of the amount of clothing being made in their vicinity for the army.
Merchants in these States who have for sale clothing suitable for army purposes, are requested to furnish immediately, to the nearest Post Quartermaster, a memorandum invoice of the articles with prices annexed, to assist him in making purchases for the Quartermaster's Department. Authorized purchasing agents are also abroad in various localities, and it is expected that the people will aid them in their efforts to procure supplies, by advising them as to the places where stored.
The Major General commanding does not deem it necessary to do more than inform the people of this Department regarding the necessities of the troops under his command, and suggest a plan by which they can be promptly and comfortably clad. He feels assured that this appeal will suffice to put in operation every spinning wheel and loom throughout the limits of the Department, and that neighbor will vie with neighbor, and community with community, in praiseworthy efforts to furnish clothing for the army.

Jno. D. Adams,

Capt. and Acting Chief Quartermaster,

Trans-Mississippi District.
Papers throughout the country will please copy, and call public attention to this appeal.