John M. Schofield to William A. Phillips, January 11, 1863

Col. WixLiAm A. PHILLIPS,

CoLONEL: As I informed you during our personal interview on the 8th instant, your brigade has been detached from the First Division, for. service in the Jndian Nation and on the western border of Arkansas. It is impossible for me to give you very definite instructions for your guidance. Much must be left to your discretion. I desire to give you full powers and leave you free to carry out, as far as practicable, the general policy which I have explained to you, and which may be briefly explained as follows, viz: To occupy, if practicable, the line of the Arkansas River and the Indian Territory northeast of it; to give protection as far as possible to the loyal Indians, and enable them to occupy their homes and prepare for planting crops in the coming spring; to assist the loyal families in furnishing subsistence to each other, by transporting it from places where it can be found to those that are destitute, and supplying food to those who must otherwise suffer from want; to remove to Kansas such families as cannot otherwise be saved from starvation, and to make peace with the rebel Indians when in your judgment it can be done with propriety. The rebel Indians will be permitted to return to their allegiance upon the same terms as are accorded to other rebels. Your force should be held as much concentrated as practicable, to prevent being overpowered, and must be held in readiness to join the army in Arkansas or Missouri whenever your assistance may be needed.

Please keep me informed of all your movements and of the results of your operations. You will draw your supplies from Fort Scott independently of the rest of the army, for which purpose a train has been placed at your disposal.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,