Samuel R. Anderson to J. B. Magruder, June 11, 1863

Maj. Gen. J. B. MAGRUDER, Commanding District of Texas, Houston, Tex.:

GENERAL: Your communication of the 29th ultimo, relating to the enforcement of the conscript law in Texas, has been received and laid before the lieutenant-general commanding the department, who instructs me to say Brigadier-General Greer has been appointed commandant of conscripts for the whole department; that he approves of your appointment of Colonel Ford as commandant of conscripts for the District of Texas, and he desires you will give him such aid from the forces under your command as he may require and you may deem necessary for a rigid enforcement of the conscript law, and the orders of the War Department relating thereto; by this means the lieutenautgeneral thinks the views expressed by you can be fully carried out and at the same time not infringe on the regulations of the War Department on this subject. The general directs me further to say it is his intention to establish camps of instruction in each of the military districts composing the department, for the collecting and thorough drill of the conscripts thereof, preparatory to assigning them to old regiments or forming them into new ones, as may hereafter be determined. It is not his intention to send any conscripts out of the department.

very respectfully, your most obedient servant,