This badly worn and faded letter from Colonel Slemons alleges that the desertions were due, in part, to the anger of his men over Slemons' court-martial. I've marked the completely illegible portions of the letter with a "—".

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Camps near Grenada,
Jany 31st, 1863.
Lieut. Genl. J. C. Pemberton, Jackson, Miss.

General: It has now been two months since I was put under arrest by Genl Jackson. The Court Marshal has passed upon my offenses some weeks since, but I am still denied the privileges of a freeman and the rights and respect of an officer won on many a hard fought battlefield. I have been in the service for two long years, entered it with —— on my shoulders, have served in the Army of Mo., Ky. and Miss., and under more than twenty different Genls, but never until I fell into the hands of Genl Jackson have I been the subject of the slightest rebuke. The 2d Arks Cavalry boasts of more sabre wounds than all the cavalry of the West put together. Yet for doing that which every officer in the service has repeatedly done I am deprived of my sword and the privilege of ending the most galling —— of since the invader in this —— crisis of our struggle when every moment is —— with the fate of our infant Confederacy. Personally I should care nothing about it as I neither expect to be a politician or soldier by profession. But for the gratification of a wife and many friends who anxious await the final result of the wanton attempt to crush me, I most earnestly ask that the proceeding of the court be published. If I am to be r—tated let it be done at once. If I am to be returned to command of my men it is of the first importance to me, to them and to the country as many of them stung by the injustice done me in the premises are leaving and going to the State of Arks.

General Jackson, not content with his invidious attempt to crush me, has, while I was powerless, distressed my regiment by detaching the finest companies, two of which have been sent south to conscript for Mississippi. The other has been permanently detached and attached to Col. Earle, 3rd Arkansas Regiment, without my knowledge or consent, for the reason that a few men in said company once belonged to that regiment. The company never was in any way attached or mustered with the regiment. These facts are all known to —— the — — command. General Jackson and General Van Dorn have been informed of the facts, but refuse to send them back.

I have never asked the Confederacy for a favor, but I do ask in this case that simple justice may be done me and that it be done at once. If I am to be publicly disgraced, the sooner it is done the longer time I should have to effuse it on some other field. If I am to be vindicated in my rights, justice demands that it should be done at once.

I am well aware of the numerous important matters —— press upon you, but this I hope will meet your early attention.

Hoping, General, that in this I violate none of the military or civic morals, I am, with sentiments of high regard, your obedient servant,

W. F. SLEMONS,
Col. 2d Arks Cavly.