War to Henry T. Blow, M. C, December 21, 1865

Hon. Henry T. Blow, M. C.,

Sir: Referring to your interview of this date with Acting Assistai Secretary of W^ar, and in connection with letters to you from 11 Excellency the Governor and Adjutant-General of Missouri, relati\ to the muster out of the remaining organizations of Missouri Yolu: teers, I have the honor to inform you that the exigencies of the ser ice have demanded the retention of the said troops in service for longer period than was anticipated. In October last it was expect6 that all would have been mustered out by the 1st instant. No meai have been spared to hasten the discharges as rapidly as the seryic of the troops could be dispensed with, and those yet in service will 1 discharged at the earliest date practicable. The public interest, ho^ ever, will not permit an order for the discharge of all at the sao time.

At this time it is believed that the Twelfth and Thirteenth Re^-icments of Cavalry (on the plains) and the Fifteenth Regiment “”of Infantry (in Texas) cannot be relieved.

The attention of Major-General Thomas, commanding Militarv Division of the Tennessee, has been invited to your request relative to the Eleventh, Twenty-first, and Forty-ninth Regiments of Infantrv now serving in the Department of Alabama. ‘

j On the 11th instant General Thomas was ordered to reduce the aggregate force of white troops in the Departments of Alabama Mis¬ sissippi, and Georgia to 7,000 men, and it is very likely that the musEleventh, Twenty-first, and Forty-ninth Regiments will fall under that order.

I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant ■f' Assistant Adjutant-General.