Arkansas True Democrat [Little Rock], September 19, 1861
To the people of Ashley, Desha, Drew,
Dallas, Hot Spring and Union counties,
Arkansas.
Pursuant to an order addressed to the commanders of regiments and battalions composing the army of the north west in Virginia, by the General commanding that division, to select each a suitable officer to return to the places in which the men composing their regiments were enrolled, to receive and convey to them such clothing and other articles as may be required during the winter, and may be furnished by their families, neighbors and friends, I have detailed Lieutenant J. M. D. Sturges for that purpose. Under the army regulations of the Confederate States, the government pays each soldier forty-two dollars per annum in lieu of clothes which are to be supplied by the soldiers themselves.
Justly appreciating the patriotism and devotedness of the people of Arkansas, which seems only to increase with the new demands their country is compelled to make upon them, I deem it only necessary to tell them that the soldiers under my command are operating in the mountains of Virginia, where more and warmer clothing is necessary to their comfort and health, than any where else in the Confederate States, to insure a liberal supply of flannel shirts, drawers, yarn socks, heavy pants, a warm coat for each, and two pairs of heavy shoes. I would suggest that the counties of Union, Ashley, Drew and Desha, make Monticello their depot, and the citizens of Hot Spring and Dallas forward the articles for the soldiers from those counties to the quarter master of the Confederate States at Memphis, there to await the order of Lieut. Sturges. Each parcel should be marked with the name of the person for whom it is designed, and each box addressed to the Captain of the company for whom it contains clothing, to my care. After the goods are delivered into the possession of Lieut. Sturges, he is on no account to become separated from them until they reach their destination.
A. Rust, Colonel
Com’d’g 3d Ark. Reg.
Brigade Headqu’rs, North-west, Va.
September, 1861.