K. R. S. Canby to Joseph J. Reynolds, September 10, 1864

Maj. Gen. J. J. REYNOLDS, Commanding Nineteenth Corps: GENERAL: You will proceed with as little delay as possible to the headquarters of the Department of Arkansas and confer with Major- * Not found. General Steele in relation to affairs in that department. It is not my intention to assume any active operations west of the Mississippi, unless forced to do so in order to secure the line of the Arkansas or prevent the invasion of Missouri, as I wish to resume operations from Mobile Bay, and to do this I wish to have the troops sent to General Steele returned as soon as his position on the line of the Arkansas is effectually secured. If you find on your arrival at the mouth of White River that General Steele’s line or the invasion of Missouri is seriously threatened you will order up the remainder of your corps, or aS much of it as you may consider necessary, and assume command of all the troops you may find on White River (not included in General Steele’s command) and employ it as you may find most advantageous to the service, reporting to General Steele for orders in relation to any future or combined operations that may be necessary. Transportation for the remainder of your corps will be sent at once to Morganza, and the command at that place will be held in readiness to move upon the receipt of your orders. I am not assured that the movement against the line of the Arkansas is real, and I wish your command to be kept well in hand in order that it may be employed elsewhere, if this movement should prove to be a feint and the real attack determined elsewhere. Please communicate as frequently as possible any information that you may acquire either on the route up the river or after your arrival in Arkansas.

K. R. S. CANBY,