Washington telegraph., 1864-10-26
Headquarters DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS,
Camden, Sept. 12th 1864.

/ MI AJOR WATKINS, of Bells Regiment
w having been fully authorized bv Major
General Price, to raise battalion OF sharp-sh cot
ers tTom counties subject to the enemies control,
and having made promises fully justified by his
instructions, which promises these men had
some reason to believe had been and continue
to be set aside: the following orders are pub
lished in relation to Major Watkins erganiza-
ton:
I lst. All those, not deserters or not belon eing
I to other commands, who formed part of this or
ganiZation, and subject to military duty,
will be allowed to remain in this organization
OF sharpshooters attached to HawthoTn's brig
ade
ID Deserters or soldiers belonging to other
commands who have come in on. the faith of
the orders of Major General Price, in reference
to Mayor Watkins organizations and have since
: left are freely pardoned, but will return forth
with to the regiments to which they Belong.
81. If Major Watkins cannot get sufficient
number of men to form battalion of sharp
shooters to he attached to the brigade to which
he belongs, he will be allowed to fill up his
company with such men are, or may
nave Deen part of his organization, not belong
ing to any other command whatever.
All soldiers belonging to Major Watkins
Battalion who shall report in person to their
! regiments within twenty days flou this dat".
vii! be PIT upon the same footing as other sci
/ dicrs, and viii not be il any way subject 10
punishment Tor the past.
Those who do not report at th- expiration OF
twenty days from this date, will De proceed
ed against deserters, and will be- huntsd
down by cavalry.
{ 4th. All independent companies bodies Of
men, organized but not attached to brigadcs,
regiments OF battalious, south of the Arkansas
river, recognized at these II ad Quarters, are
hereby ordered 40 march forthwith 20 Camden
! Should these orders not be Obeved within thirty
day 5, ali such companies or bod,is of nien will
/ be considered rs outlaws and will be hunted
down, capt.tred and destroyed by any Confed-
erat9, who NAV hear of them or meet them
Al companies styling themselves indepen-
dent, or partzans, raised by any anthoiity
/ from these uoad Quarters, or elsewhere, who
| do not repair, hereby ordered, to Camden
and r-port al District Head Quarters Will be
declared disbaHded, the officers and Iucn cat
laws, and viii be trestsu accordingly. The
COuf"dara:r cavalry will look especially "a thu
execution oi this order. after the expiration OF
thirty dsys allowed herein.
5.h. / he following from the rules and articles
of war. are pHblished for the Information AID
guidance of all concerned:
/ Art. 22d No non-commis stoned officer or
soldi@r shall enlist himself IN amy other regi
fient. troop or company, without a regular dis
chaTgs from the regiment troop or company.
in which hs last rived. on the penalty sf be
+ lng rrputcd a dcs-rter and suffering accVr4iag-
+ ~ And Ia casa any officer OF soldier sltall
knowingly recsive and entertain such nom
commissioned officer OF soldier, or sha., roJ,
after his being iis"ovrre,l to he j~sartsr in
I inr.:it'eiy coRlne him and give uotsc III. vcf
/ 10 the corps ia Eich he last served the said
/ otslcrr shall, by court martial be cashiegcd."
! twill be seen from the above. that any Of
Ger, however high his rank mak..s himself liz
bic to ne cashicrrd, if ho shall kn9lciaelg r.
Ceire and entertain Re1i-ceHlptiSSi0sed ofcsr or
(prsce:s1 SG3cr, 1rio shall enlist kimSc!f iH ga
other regiment il susL officer shall not alter
! having discovered dsserter IN his ranks I'M
/ Fsfdsqteiy cJ'lfa> him AMI girs notice thete-f 10
/ f!r -oTgS ~ zach hsLqst seroed
The Major G-nsIal commanding the pist.ia:
gives due notice 10 officers of all ranks that hs
will hold them strictly to the account. hi .ity
imposed ay these rules and articles, and will in
llo case omit to bring trial .fiirrrs regardless
of grad who violate these laws, and all officers
of whatever grade, are called upon to 10 their
. duty, IN reporting to district Head Quartors
amy violation Of these orders and laws s-pdiag
the charges and names af witnesses through
the regular channel; whilst Inspectors will
give 'his subject their especial attention. ard
viii prefer charges whenever they can obtain
the proof Of this high and dangerous eriNs
I By command Of Major General N.GRUBEa
EDWARD ?. TURNER.
34-Gw a :. G-nv.aL