Bryan, Doyle, Danny,
This string is very enlightening and extremely appreciated. The order to detach men from Morgan could well have been verbal. Everything was in such close proximity at that time that this would have been easy, and it appears as though Nelson, who was on location, carried enough weight to make such an order. Of all sources available (not many), Morgan’s Battalion was the logical choice to draw replacements for sick artillerymen. The unit was somewhat disorganized at this point, and Morgan’s men were relatively fresh after only a month or so in the field. None really started getting sick until they entered Fort Hindman at Devall’s Bluff.