telegraphed to the War Department for instructions as to the
mode of raising these troops, referring to a letter I wrote to Col.
Townsend on the subject on the 29th of September. In that letter
I explained the difficulty of raising such troops in Missouri,
unless it be done without regard to the claims of loyal slave-
owners. I also recommended that all able-bodied negroes be enlisted,
receipts given as a basis for payment to loyal owners, and suggested
that those of unquestioned loyalty might be paid at once from the
substitute fund. No answer has been received to that letter.

"Some months ago I wrote to the Secretary of War, asking instructions
about the negro question. No answer. The Hon. Secretary seems
determined to make me deal with that question on my own responsibility.
It is very natural, but hardly just to me."

I had issued an order respecting elections, in accordance with the
President's instructions. A personal request was made to me for
a modification of the order. The following letter was written in
reply to that request:

"Headqrs., Department of the Missouri,
"St. Louis, Oct. 24th, 1863.
"Hon. C. Drake, St. Louis.

"Sir: After full consideration of the subject of our conversation
this morning, I am of the opinion that no further orders upon the
subject of the election are necessary. The law which provides the
manner in which soldiers shall vote, and directs how the judges of
election shall be appointed, is as binding upon all persons to whom
it relates as any order would be.

"Genl. Order No. 120 also alludes to the subject of soldiers voting,
I think, in sufficiently strong terms, although it is taken for
granted in that order that officers will do their duty in giving
their men an opportunity to vote. Moreover, any failure on their
part to do their whole duty in this regard would be a clear violation
of Genl. Order 101. I believe there is no ground for apprehension
that officers will neglect their duty regarding the election. If
anything is needed, it is that the troops be given full information
through the daily papers, which they all read, of their duties and
privileges under the laws.

"From the short examination I have been able to give, I am of the
opinion that the Act of the General Assembly changing the mode of
voting does not apply to soldiers voting at the company polls; that
the ordinance of the convention remains unrepealed.

"This, however, is a question which I