The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 21, July 1917 - April, 1918 Page: 289
434 p. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Confederate Trans-Mississippi Department, 1863-1865 289
and the Secretary of War, as we have already seen, had written
him on the same subject. The President's letter touched on every
phase of the military service in the department-the probability
of invasion by the enemy, the operations that would be most pos-
sible, the agricultural resources, the mineral wealth, and the efforts
that had been made to establish factories and mills in the depart-
ment,-but in no way did he intimate that the commander should
extend his authority over civil affairs and he referred to the anom-
alous conditions west of the Mississippi only in general terms:
"By the fall of our two fortified places on the Mississippi .,
your department is placed in a new relation, and your difficulties
must be materially enhanced. You now have not merely a mili-
tary, but also a political problem involved in your command.""
Secretary Seddon's letter of the same date has not been pre-
served, but from references to it, its tenor is easily inferred. The
general was told that he would have to assume large military
powers, "to exercise powers of civil administration," and that he
would have to form a civil and military government. It seems,
however, that Seddon gave no definite instructions and merely sug-
gested that the military administration be carried on by means of
bureaus corresponding to those of the war department in Rich-
mond. It was this letter, later referred to by Seddon as unofficial,
which Smith had laid before his conferees at Marshall on August
15. Shortly afterwards, August 3, and before Smith's letter of
July 28th could have been received, the secretary wrote that it
would be impossible to give special instructions at such a distance,
and that what measures should be adopted must be left largely
to the commander's discretion, but suggested that Smith put him-
self in touch with the governors of the Trans-Mississippi states in
order to maintain a cordial understanding and co-operation in
carrying out his plans, and that he further seek the advice and
influence of leading citizens throughout his department-the very
things that Smith had already undertaken to do.14
The advice of Davis and Seddon lacked much in definiteness
80ff. Recs., XXII, ii. 925-927.
Although the context is not clear, it is probable that Davis had in
mind chiefly the necessity of removing the causes of dissatisfaction in
Arlansas and of composing possible state jealousies.
"Seddon to Smith, August 3, 1863. Off. Recs., XXII, ii, 952-953.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 21, July 1917 - April, 1918, periodical, 1918; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101073/m1/295/: accessed April 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.