| Head Quarters, District of Texas, New Mexico and
Arizona |
| McNeel's Plantation |
| Decb. 21st 1863 |
|
|
| Brig. Gen. J. E. Slaughter |
| Comdg 2d Division |
| Army of Texas |
| |
| General, |
| The Major Genl Comdg directs me to
instruct you to cause comdg. officers of the organizations under your
command to forward without delay, consolidated lists of all enlisted
men absent, sick, furloughed, detailed or otherwise with reasons of
their absence & if detailed, by whose orders, & in what
manners employed with any information that may facilitate their
return, those absent sick, to be separately stated. |
| I am further instructed to say that you
will adopt such measures as you may deem most advisable to return
absentees to their commands, exempting as follows: those employed by
Major T. A. Washington Qr. Mr. San Antonio in Ordnance Depots, -- such
men on Rail Roads and in the various Staff Departments as you may
consider absolutely necessary for their efficiency, also those
employed by Capt. E. L. Heriot, Inspecting Engineer of R. Roads or Mr
W. W. Morris, his deputy. |
| I am further instructed to ask your
attention to the number of absentees reported on sick furlough, that
you may give instructions to induce the return of all who may be fit
for duty, and to cause Company Commanders to keep themselves advised
as to the condition and whereabouts of all absentees. |
| The great number of men absent, many of
whom are believed to be so without proper authority, renders it
important that measures for their return to duty and consequent
increase of the efficiency of the Army be adopted without delay. |
| I have the honor to be, General |
| Very respectfully |
| Your obdt Svt. |
| C. M. ??? |
| Capt & A. A. A. G. |
|