“It is not possible, however, to say in a letter what could be so much better said in a personal interview, and the Gen’l therefore, desires me to say that as soon as your duties will admit of your absence, he will be happy to see and converse with you fully and freely at his Head Quarters” [Ibid., no. 268, pp. 27-29].

On this same subject, see also Steele to Wigfall, April 15, 1863, Official Records, vol. xxii, part ii, 819-821.]

[Footnote 745:  Confederate Records, chap. 2, no. 270, p. 220.]

[Footnote 746:  Steele to Anderson, May 9, 1863, Ibid., 233-234.]

[Footnote 747:  Same to same, March 1, and 3, 1863, Ibid., 112-113, 113-114.]

out of odd battalions and independent companies.[748] Cooper, in fact, seemed bent upon tantalizing Steele and many of the Indians were behind him.[749] Colonel Tandy Walker was especially his supporter.  Cooper had been Walker’s choice for department commander[750] and continued so, in spite of all Steele’s honest attempts to propitiate him and in spite of his promise to use every exertion to satisfy Choctaw needs generally.[751] To Tandy Walker Steele entrusted the business of recruiting anew among the Choctaws.[752]

[Footnote 748:  Steele to Anderson, February 13, 1863, Confederate Records, chap 2, no. 270, p. 89.]

[Footnote 749:  It was not true, apparently, that the Chickasaws were dissatisfied with Cooper.  See the evidence furnished by themselves, Official Records, vol. xxii, part ii, 1116-1117.]

[Footnote 750:  Confederate Military History, vol. x, 134, footnote.]

[Footnote 751:  Steele to Tandy Walker, February 25, 1863, Confederate Records, chap. 2; no. 270, p. 109.]

[Footnote 752:  Crosby to Walker, March 11, 1863, Ibid., p. 136.  Steele thought that the Indians might as well be employed in a military way since they were more than likely to be a public charge.  To Colonel Anderson he wrote, March 22, 1863 [Ibid., p. 155], “I forward the above copy of a letter from Gen’l Cooper for Gen’l Holmes’ information.  I purpose if not otherwise directed to call out all the available force of the Nations within the conscript age....  They have to be fed and might as well be organized and put into a position to be useful.”  From the correspondence of Steele, it would seem that there was some trouble over Walker’s promotion.  April 10, Steele wrote again to Anderson on the subject of Indian enrollment in the ranks and referred to the other matter.

“The enclosed copy of some articles in the Treaty between the C.S.  Govt and the Choctaws with remarks by Gen’l Cooper are submitted for the consideration of the Lt.  Gen’l.