Headquarters of the Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Militia of Arkansas,
Washington, January 1st, 1864.
Colonel William H. Trader, commanding state troops, will establish picket posts at the following points:
No. 1. In the neighborhood of Murfreesboro. The station should be on this side of the Missouri River, with pickets advanced on this side of the river to the crossing of the river in the road from Mount Ida, which crosses some distance up the river; also another on the road from Murfreesboro to Caddo Gap.
No. 2. In the neighborhood of Arkadelphia, with an outpost at or near Easley's, and also at the crossing of Bayou Deroche, where the military road crosses, also on the Mount Ida road near Golden's, also near the big hill on the road leading up the north side of the Caddo; one near Arkadelphia to guard the roads crossing the river.
No. 3. Near the crossing of South Missouri, with an outpost on the Antoine at the crossing of the military road.
No. 4. In the neighborhood of Rockport and beyond it on the road.
The details will be strong enough to furnish six men at each station and outpost.
Any advance of a Federal force will be reported, leaving enough at the station or other suitable places to observe and report the movements of the Federals.
In selecting position they will be instructed to take places where they can watch the road without being observed. At night after dark new positions must be taken so that their position will not be known by spies, who may have observed in the daytime. The change must be as great as one hundred yards. The soldier on watch must be without fire at night.
In case of flags, the bearers will be stopped and the messages carried by one of the pickets to its destination.
The station beyond Rockport need not in all cases have six men, but must have three or more, and much discretion must be left to all officers at outposts, especially to No. 4.
Select men who are acquainted with neighborhoods as much as possible, viz: of Captain Dyer's company for No. 4; of Captain Reed's company for No. 2. In case all cannot be acquainted be careful to send such to each station.
You will relieve each station once a week, and instruct the officers not to leave a post or station until the relief comes, notwithstanding it may be evaded.
Hoping that the officers and soldiers will take interest in the matter necessary to its efficiency, I am
H. FLANAGIN.