Col. Frank PowersBy:Bryan Howerton
Date: Monday, 13 June 2011, 6:59 pm
Hd. Qrs. S.W. Miss. & East La.,
January 3, 1865.
Genl. S. Cooper, A. & I. Genl.
Agreeable to orders I have the honor to report my status for the information of all concerned.
In the summer of 1861 I resigned my position as commanding officer of Fort Brown and the Lower Rio Grande to enter into a more active field under Genl. McCulloch, who was then in Missouri. I was on the staff of the officer at the Battle of Elkhorn. After the cavalry charge I returned and lead the 14th Arkansas Infantry against one of the enemy’s batteries and carried it. I was wounded and left behind when the army crossed the Mississippi River to the relief of Genl. Beauregard. I reached camps a few days after the reorganization of the army and reported to Genl. Van Dorn. Immediately all the officers of the 14th Arkansas Infantry, including the new colonel, Eli Dodson, solicited me to take command of the regiment. Col. Dodson resigned in my favor, being in ill health, procured a surgeon’s certificate and his resignation was accepted. This was in May 1862.
The proper papers were forwarded to the War Office, together with a document signed by all the officers of the regiment, waiving rank in my favor. I was in command of the regiment from the time Col. Dodson received his resignation.
After the Battles of Iuka and Corinth we were transferred to East La. under Genl. Beall. Not having received my commission from the War Department, I reported the facts to Genl. Beall, who confirmed the appointment and sent a renewal of the communications to the War Office.
My regiment was at this time decimated, killed out at four different battlefields, and was consolidated by Maj. Genl. Gardner with other troops from the same State. I was then placed by Maj. Genl. Gardner in command of the cavalry of his District and served in that capacity till October 1863.
I reported to Genl. Johnston, who ordered me to the command of the District S.W. Miss. & East La., with authority to raise a new command. I organized one regiment and one battalion, which are yet in the service. Genl. Johnston very earnestly recommended the acceptance of this command, and the Honorable Secretary of War assigned me to duty as commander of the regiment, which regiment I have commanded up the the present.
Like many other field officers I have never received a commission, in fact have never had time to pay any attention to it. Orders of appointment and assignment to duty which are very essential here are lost. Enclosed is a communication from Genl. Johnston written from memory. The original will be found in the War Office with the muster rolls of Powers’ Cavalry Regiment. I call attention to endorsements of Col. Griffith and Lt. Col. Dotson, 17th Arkansas Infantry, who are acquainted with the facts in connection with my case. Together for nearly three years we have fought side by side.
I would respectfully ask Genl. Cooper if the services I have rendered entitles me to my position since the resignation of Col. Dodson. I would be glad to be notified. If they are not I would respectfully tender my resignation and renew the war as a private.
FRANK POWERS,
Col. Comd’g Dist.
P.S. Respectfully call attention to the muster rolls of my regiment, 14th Arkansas Infantry, where my name will be found as colonel of the same.