We've talked a lot about the frustrating loss of so many Trans-Mississippi muster rolls. They were normally sent to Richmond by courier. As the U.S. forces tightened their grip on the Mississippi River, it became increasingly difficult, and finally near impossible, for couriers to make it across the river.

Anyway, I was going through a box of some of my old research notes and transcriptions this morning, and as so often happens, I ran across something I wasn't looking for. I thought you all might be interested in this example of the use of couriers to carry muster rolls to the War Department.

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Headquarters Defenses Lower Arkansas,
Pine Bluff, May 11, 1863.

Special Orders, No. 5.

II. By authority of General Holmes, commanding District of Missouri and Arkansas, Capt. W. B. Cox, of Clark’s Regiment, is hereby ordered to take charge of the muster rolls of the brigade commanded by Col. John B. Clark, Jr., consisting of Clark’s and Mitchell’s Regiments, Musser’s Battalion, and Ruffin’s Missouri Battery, and convey the same to Richmond and deliver them to the Adjutant and Inspector-General.

By order of Brigadier-General Frost,
T. T. TAYLOR,
Assistant. Adjutant-General.

Mileage has been paid to Capt. Cox from Jackson, Miss., to Richmond, Va.
EUGENE CARRINGTON,
Capt. & A.Q.M.