Letter

Unknown to Samuel Cooper, June 16, 1863

868. HEADQUARTERS TRANS-MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT,

General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va.:

GENERAL: I have the honor to transmit herewith a letter to you from Major-General Magruder. The views he expresses meet my approval in the main, and I respectfully recommend them to the consideration of the War Department. ‘ ;

In regard to the alleged mutinous conduct of Colonel Phillips’ regiment, I had no information until I read the remarks of Major-General Magruder. From the report of my inspector-general, which accompanies this, I hope Major-General Magruder may have been misinformed.

56 W. FLA., 8. ALA., 8. MISS., L. A., TEX., N. MEX. (Cuar. XXXVIIL

Since the regiment has been serving in Lower Louisiana, [ have heard nothing prejudicial to its discipline.

The recommendation of Colonel Luckett for the command of the Arizona Brigade is a good one, and is approved.

It is unnecessary for the War Department to be troubled with the division of Major-General Magruder’s district into sub-districts, as he has the power todo so. His recommendation that brigadiers be appointed to command each of the proposed sub-districts is worthy the careful consideration of the Department. The commanders of those sub-districts would have large territories and many people to control, and it seems proper their rank should be commensurate with the responsibility. I do not see the necessity of appointing the two major-generals recommended, but if it is thought advisable to appoint them, I

respectfully

recommend that Brigadier-General Scurry be appointed to the command
of the two eastern districts, and that Brigadier-General Slaughter, now
at Mobile, be promoted and appointed to the command of the two
western districts.
I am very much afraid Major Hart has failed in his efforts to secure
supplies through Mexico. Requisitions made on him by department
officers remain unfilled. I declined ordering funds to be issued to him
by the depositaries without a warrant from the Treasury Department. It
Editor's Notes
From: Operations in West Florida, Southern Alabama, Southern Mississippi, Louisiana, 1862–63, Pt. 1. Location: Shreveport, La.. Summary: A Confederate general endorses Major-General Magruder's recommendations, disputes reports of mutiny in Colonel Phillips' regiment, approves Colonel Luckett's command, and supports administrative sub-district divisions.
Sources
The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 26, Part 1 View original source ↗