Camp of Bonham
May 14, 1861
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L. Pope Walker (civilian)
CSA Secretary of War, Richmond, Virginia
DEAR SIR:
I hereby enclose an inventory of all the goods and property found and taken at Ft Arbuckle, all of which I turned over
to the Chickasaw Indians, by order of Wm. C. Young, who is State regimental colonel. Said Indians are at present taking
care of said post and all property therein contained. The U.S. Govt troops under [Union Lt-Col W.H.] Emory had abandoned
said fort a few days previous to my entering and taking command of the same. I am solicitous that you send me a captain's
commission to occupy said post as one of the posts belonging to the Southern Confederacy. I have a company of cavalry in
readiness for that post or any other that it may please your honor to assign us. Ft. Washita and Ft Cobb, both being situated
in the Chickasaw Nation, were also abandoned, leaving considerable property in each.
Col. Young has formed a treaty of peace with the Reserve Indians [Plains Indians, except Kiowas and Comanches],
conditioned that the Southern Confederacy feed and protect them, as heretofore done by the [Union] U.S. Govt. at a very
heavy expense, and that, too, without the approval of but very few of the people in this State. It is considered by the
sovereigns here as a worse than needless expense.
Hoping to hear from you soon, I remain, with respect,
Yours, &c.,
S.T. Benning..... [S.C. Banning]
[Captain of Cooke County TST]
(addressed to Walker, who was replaced by J.P. Benjamin). per ORsIv1[S#1]c8p653.
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Patti, prochette@Juno.com
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