Alvin P. Hovey to M. Jeff. Thompson, July 15, 1862

Brig. Gen. M. JEFF. THOMPSON, C. 8. Army, Senatobia:

I have yours of the 14th instant in relation to Special Orders, No. 14,* heretofore issued by Major-General Grant.

[herewith send you Special Orders, No. 15,* which considerably modifies the order to which you allude. You will permit me to say that your sympathies are entirely out of place, as truth and history must record the fact that the Southern people residing in localities where both of our armies have been camped prefer the continuity of the ” Northern invaders” to the protection of the Southern chivalry.

You are too well versed in the science of war to be ignorant of the fact that these orders are far more mild than could have been expected after the treatment that helpless Union families have received at the hands of rebels in this city. Add to this the fact that a large part of all the information received by you can be traced directly through the families excluded by these orders, and your application for sympathy in their behalf is somewhat amusing.

The great error that the Federal officers have committed during this war has been their overkindness to a vindictive and insulting foe.

Your threats and intimations of personal danger to General Grant are in bad taste, and should be carefully revised before publication; whether he “cannot guard his own lines” the history of the battles of Shiloh and Donelson will fully show.

Should any families embraced within the orders above alluded to be obstinate and refuse to comply with Orders, No. 15, they shall be escorted to the distance of 10 miles from this city to such points as they may request.

Very respectfully,