More from Wright:
I was authorized to assign to duty anyone who I thought proper, and put them to work gathering up these men. The large majority reported voluntarily. Some had served one year and were at home on furlough and at liberty to join any command they chose; many were boys just getting old enough for service; some were men under forty five and liable to service under the latest law and a few were conscripts. Taken as a whole, it was a good material as was to be found in the South; a fact demonstrated at Prairie Grove, Pleasant Hill, Mansfield and Jenkins Ferry.

...As to his (Hindman's) execution of deserters, the facts must be understood before a fair judgment can be rendered. Men forced into the army under the Conscript Law deserted and enlisted in the Union army acting as guides and informers and were captured with guns in their hands. For a time they were pardoned on their promise and oath of loyalty. Humanity and mercy were regarded as evidences of weakness; so desertion increased to such an extent that treason was common and whole companies deserted to the enemy. The country must either be surrendered to these comparatively few men or they must be suppressed, even though their extermination was the alternative. The vast majority of the citizens and soldiers were loyal and patriotic and endorsed whatever means were thought necessary for the salvation of the country, however severe upon the traitors. General Hindman in his report to the Confederate Secretary of War says:
“For the salvation of the country I had taken the responsibility of forcing these men into the service; I now resolved for the same object to compel them to remain.”
And he did it so long as he remained in command.
Neither General Hindman nor anyone else expected to make useful soldiers out of such material, but the restraints and discipline (p.78) of military service, was the only means of rendering them harmless.