J. H. Leavenworth to M. La Rue Harrison, March 21, 1863

Col. M. LA RuE HARRISON, Commanding Post, Fayetteville, Ark. :

Sir: Your messenger last night brought me your negotiation between you and rebel officers. If it had been proper to enter into such negotiations at all, it would have been the correct course for you to refer all communications affecting such matters to these headquarters, as commander of the post at Fayetteville, subject to my orders. I regret that you should have complicated any portion of my command with proposals so dangerous to the interests and dignity of the Government.

In the first place, the rebels are evidently preparing for a stampede to Red River, and it can be no part of the policy of a Government officer to permit disloyal citizens to crowd into Texas after them, with their property, to strengthen their tottering cause. Neither do I believe for a moment that they would permit loyal men in South Arkansas and Texas to bring their families and property here unmolested. They are holding them now in an iron despotism, and the proposal is as treacherous as it is unfair.

While the Government of the United States has recognized the rebel army as having belligerent rights to negotiate exchanges, it is utterly inadmissible for any one assuming to be the representative of the Government to authorize persons to cross and recross any boundary line, whether it be the Arkansas or Red River, and permanently remain as two distinct nationalities on either side. Of this insidious attempt at a geographical demonstration, I am happy in being able to assure you that the Government has never, for a moment, authorized any military officer in this district to make or receive a proposal so dangerous. Our duty is in the field. The so-called “articles of agreement,” with my indorsement on them rejecting them, you will send back to the commanding officer at Fort Smith.

I regret that you should again have permitted rebel officers bearing a flag of truce to come within your lines. I distinctly votified you when it occurred before that it must not be permitted to occur again.

In reference to your other negotiations for the exchange of prisoners, I inclose you a copy of the cartel adopted [illegible] Landing, which governs it. When you have prisoners to exchange you will notify me, and I will give the commanding officer of any Confederate forces in the vicinity who has exchanges to make an opportunity from time to time to exchange at such places in the district as may be suitable for them and for me. The negotiations which you have thought proper to make for the district are sent back rejected. I shall cheerfully furnish all proper facility to exchange prisoners, but can never consent to parole prisoners and let them run loose in my camp, subsisted by us until exchanged. ] ; }

T regret most profoundly, colonel, anything which might disturb the hearty co-operation we both owe the Government, and desire that the anxiety I may have exhibited to cultivate it may not be misconstrued as a wish on my part to shift any of the responsibilities imposed on me

Lam, with respect, W. M. A. PHIULIPS, Colonel, Commanding

Hpgrs. SECOND REGIMENT Colorado VOLUNTEERS, Fort Lyon, Colo. (Old Fort Wise), March 22, 1863 Maj. Gen. B. E. V. SUMNER, Commanding Department of the Missouri ;

GENERAL: Believing that you will, upon assuming command o1 he Department of the Missouri, wish to know the situation of military rmaatters in Colorado, I take the liberty of writing, and shall try and give you a correct idea of what we have and what we need out here. In the first place, Colorado is strongly loyal to the Union, and her position is such that no fear need be apprehended from any outside attacks, and as for the Indians, not the least fear should be thought of.

There have been raised in this Territory what has been called three regiments, but they are somewhat mixed. The force is as follows: First Regiment Colorado Cavalry, twelve companies ; Second Regiment Colorado Volunteer Infantry, eight companies, and one battery of artillery, not armed; Third Regiment Colorado Volunteers, only five companies full. These have marched for the States, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Curtis, leaving some fractional companies here recruiting under Colonel Ford and Major Pritchard.

The Second was raised under an order given me by the Secretary of War, and at the time the order was given General Hunter then commanded the Department of Kansas, and he, fearing that the Texans, who were then advancing into New Mexico, might reach the Arkansas River by the Old Santa Fé road, furnished me with 1,000 stand of arms, 200,000 ball cartridges, and a battery of field artillery complete, all of which I arrived with at Denver, Colo., on the 25th of May, 1862. At Saint Louis, General Halleck manned the battery with the Ninth Wisconsin Battery, 150 men, commanded by Captain Johnson. Two sections of this battery are now at Fort Lyon, Colo., and one section at Fort Larned, and as it has been in service a long time, well officered and in fine condition, it should be ordered into active service.

A few interested parties have been very anxious to get a large volunteer force retained in this Territory, more for speculation than anything else, and I do hope they will be disappointed. There is no more necessity for troops at this point than at Syracuse, N. Y. Two companies of the First Cavalry at Fort Lyon, one at Fort Garland, and one at Camp Collins, on the overland mail line, are all the troops required, in my estimation, in Colorado. Al the rest retained are to protect new town lots, and eat corn, at $5.60 per bushel.

Hight companies of the First Cavalry, all of the Second and Third, together with the Ninth Wisconsin and First Colorado Batteries, should he ordered into the States at once for active duty. The material of these troops is not excelled by any other in the world, and, if put into

service under a good and active officer, will do honor to any department.

The First Regiment was orig nally infantry, but, when mounted, two companies of the Second were transferred to it, leaving me with but eight companies and one battery. The officers being appointed by myself, makes us somewhat independent of the Governor, and, I think, disposes him to do us no more than justice.

Major [illmore, paymaster, brings a report that all my regiment is ordered to the States, but am informed that General Curtis has ordered one of my companies to Fort Garland and one to remain at Fort wish my regiment together, if the good of the service does not require it to beseparated. And should you require good mounted troops, I can assure you you will find the mountain men of the Second Regiment Colorado Volunteers as good material as any to make them from.

You will also find the quartermaster’s department out here also a little mixed. Captain [S. H.] Moer, of the Volunteers, was the assistant quartermaster when General Curtis took command of this department. He was relieved by Lieutenant Anderson, of the First Colorado Cavalry, but he, I believe, did not give satisfaction to the Department, and Captain Alley, of the Third U.S. Infantry, who has been here for nearly two years as general disbursing officer of the War Department, has been ordered to relieve him. If so, the Government may be saved thousands.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,