Davis, Jefferson (1808-1889) to Governor Harris Flanagin

TRANSCRIPT GLC01352
Jefferson Davis. Letter signed. Executive Office: to Governor or Arkansas, 3 April 1863. 5 pp.

Executive Office
Richmond, 3 April 1863
To the Governor of the State of Arkansas:
Sir:
It has for various reasons been out of my power to make earlier reply to your letter of 5th January last. One of these reasons has been the difficulty experienced in reconciling the statements appended to your letter with the returns in the office of the Adjunct General showing the number of regiments from Arkansas in the Confederate service on both sides of the Mississippi.

The defense of the Mississippi river on both banks has been considered by me as of primary importance, and I can assure you that you cannot estimate more highly than I do the necessity of maintaining an unobstructed communication between the States that are separated by that river. The only question to consideration is how to dispose of our forces to the best advantage for that purpose.

In this view of the subject I have deemed the defense of Vicksburgh and Port Hudson as indispensable. If we succeed, as I have confidence we shall, in maintaining these two positions, we preserve that ability to furnish the munitions and ordance stones necessary for the supply of the troops on the west bank, and to throw across the river adequate forces for meeting the enemy, if he should transfer his campaign from Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama to Arkansas and Louisiana. When a compassion is made of the invading forces on the two sides of the river it will be found that the disproportion between the opposing foces has been more largely against us on the Eastern than on the Western side. Yet if we lose control of the Eastern side the Western must almost inevitably fall into the power of the enemy. The defense of the fortified places on the eastern bank is therefore regarded as the defense of Arkansas quite as much as that of Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana. In the disposition from forces therefore, although the number of troops is Arkansas may be less than is desireable [sic], still it is as great as the necessity of our position will admit, for your are well aware that we are sadly outnumbered on all out lines of defense.

In relation to the number of troops from Arkansas now on the East bank of the River, your statements enumerate a total force equivalent to about forty regiments of all arms while the returns of the Adjutant General show but about twenty-four. It is true that a portion of this great discrepancy is due to the fact that some of the regiments known to be in the service have not yet made the returns of their muster rolls to the Department, but it is also true that many of the troops from Arkansas who have returned to that State with furloughs, or even without leave, have there joined the army, and the strength of the regiments on this side has not only been much reduced, but it appears that some of them have been consolidated.

However this may be, it is I think beyond doubt that the troops from other States sent to Arkansas are largely in excess of those withdrawn from that State, and I have addressed a letter on the subject to your delegation in Congress from which I extract the following passage:

It is not in my opinion wise or proper to encourage the idea of retaining in each State its own troops for its own defense, and thus giving strength to the fatal error of supposing that this great war can be waged by the Confederate States severally and not unitedly [sic] with the least hope of success. Our safety, our very existence depends on the complete blending of the military strength of all the States into one united body to be used anywhere and everywhere as the exigencies of the contest may require for the good of the whole. Many of the best generals of the Confederacy have learned, as I have done, from the experience of this war, how great was the error which prevailed among us all in the beginning, that sound policy required troops to be kept as far as convenient for the defense of their own homes. The discipline and efficiency of our armies have been found to be far greater when the troops were separated from their homes and thus delivered from the constant temptation to absent themselves from duty, presented by proximity to their families.

I cannot therefore agree with you in regarding the fact that various Arkansas and Missouri Regiments deserted the flag of their country when we were forced to withdraw from Northern Arkansas and Southern Missouri, as a reason for employing troops within their own States, but look upon it rather as a confirmation of the views suggested in the foregoing extract.

In conclusion I beg to repeat the assurance that it shall be my effort so to dispose of the forces at command, as to protect your State to the utmost extent of our ability. Recent changes made in the command of the Trans. Mississippi Department with the full concurrence of your delegation will it is hoped have good effect in satisfying the good people of your State and supplies of arms and munitions will be constantly forwarded as rapidly as our resources and means of transportation will permit.

Very respectfully & Truly your's [sic]
Jefferson Davis
Notes: Published in Rowland, Jefferson Davis, Constitutionalist. 5:465-467