I take the context that this group of men are not Union but perhaps other Confederates trying to get into Texas as deserters or other no-goods. Obviously "arresting them" implies a military justice issue, if the enemy by this time in this part of the war they'd just be shot I think...

Alternative spellings for Clouto/an include Clayton, Claughton, Cloughton, Cloyton, and all the same with an "an" on the end.

Quickly scanning the MO SOS file did not find a "Captain" but rank has many shapes and forms in the bush leading a small unit in the west. I do not find any evidence that this is Dudley S Clouton a Pvt in the 24 th MO, mostly because he would have been a long way from where the unit generally operated during the war. Knowing the road system in SE IT during the war I suspect the reference means by way of Fort Washita, this would be along the old Texas Road from SW Missouri or across from Ft. Smith along the Butterfield route to Boggy Depot to Ft. Washita.

John R.