“The Commanding Gen’l would be gratified to grant the within petition were it compatible with the interests of the service and the cause which petitioners ‘Hold dearer than life.’  He is fully aware of the many urgent reasons which a number of officers and men have for visiting their homes, providing for their families, etc., etc.

“The Enemy conscious of his superior strength is constantly threatening the small force that now holds him in check on the line of the Arkansas river.  Speight’s Brigade was sent to their present position—­not because they were not needed here—­but for the reason that it was an utter impossibility to subsist it in this region.

“Every consideration of patriotism and duty imperiously demands the presence of every officer and soldier belonging to this command.  The season of active operations is at hand.  The enemy in our front is actively employed in accumulating supplies and transportation and in massing, drilling, and disciplining his troops.  His advance cannot be expected to be long (cont.)]

without telling or lasting effect.  The Confederate service in Indian Territory was honeycombed with fraud and corruption.[757] Wastrels, desperadoes, scamps of every sort luxuriated at Indian expense.  It was no wonder that false muster rolls had to be guarded against.[758] The Texans showed throughout so great an aversion to the giving of themselves or of their worldly goods[759] to the salvation of the country that

[Footnote 756:  (cont.) delayed.  This enemy is made up of Kansas Jayhawkers, ‘Pin Indians,’ and Traitors from Missouri, Arkansas and Texas.  The ruin, devastation, oppression, and tyranny that has marked his progress has no parallel in history.  The last official Report from your Brigade shews a sad state of weakness.  Were the enemy informed on this point our line of defence would soon be transferred from the Arkansas to Red river.  In the name of God, our country and all that is near and dear to us, let us discard from our minds every other consideration than that of a firm, fixed, and manly determination to do our duty and our whole duty to our country in her hour of peril and need.  The season is propitious for an advance.  Let not supineness, indifference and a lack of enthusiasm in a just and holy cause, compel a retreat Texas is the great Commissary Depot west of the Mississippi.  The enemy must be kept as far from her rich fields and countless herds, as possible.  Let us cheerfully, harmoniously, and in a spirit of manly sacrifice bend every energy mental and physical to preparations for a forward movement.  The foregoing reasons for a refusal to grant leave of absence will serve as an answer in all similar cases and will be disseminated among the officers and men of the Brigade by the Commanders thereof.”—­CROSBY, by command of Steele, March 20, 1863, Confederate Records, chap. 2, no. 270, pp. 151-152.]

[Footnote 757:  J.A.  Scales to Adair, April 12, 1863, Official Records, vol. xxii, part ii, 821-822.]