Head Quarters Army of the South West
Little Rock Arks
Aug 1st 1862.
Circular. The misconduct of a comparatively small number of bad men is bringing all the troops into disrepute. Through mistaken feeling of Kindness, their offences have been again and again forgiven, or else but, lightly punished. - This course has increased, instead of lessening, the evil. A different one will henceforth be adhered to. - Discipline, of the strictest sort, will be enforced, at all hazards. - The severest penalties will be inflicted, without hesitation, upon offenders of all grades. Desertion, Mutiny, Disloyalty, and Plundering, or any attempt at either, or manifestation or expression of any such intention, will be punished with death. Two men of Morgans Regiment of Arkansas Infantry [26th Arkansas Infantry] and two men of [William] Harts battery have suffered death today. - Their names were Amsick McCance and Michael Donahoo of Morgan’s Battalion and Thomas J and John Welch of Harts battery. - Their crime was desertion. Let this example be remembered. Good men have nothing to fear, Bad men must reform, or share the fate of these deserters.

By order of Maj Gen [Thomas C.] Hindman R.
[Robert] C. Newton Chief of Staff