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HEAD QUARTERS, DEPARTMENT TRANS-MISSffiSIPPI, j 
 Shrevxpobt, IiA., Nov. 52. .' 
 
 Sl'iCCIAJL ORDERS, \ 
 !*o. J 
 
 i. The necessities of the military service, and the preservation of thi 
 of the Government render the creation of an office to take charge of Cotton In 
 the District of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona indispensable, and the same is 
 established as follows: 
 
 V7. J. Hntchins is assigned to duty in the Quartermaster's Department, with 
 the rank and pay of Lt. Colonel, to take charge of cotton lor the Government li- 
 the District of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, and will be allowed such asso 
 ciates as may be necessary, not exceeding four in number. 
 
 He will obtain from the planter.-, by sale <>r agreement, and if necessary, by 
 impressment, all cotton that the Government may require for the purchase of 
 irmy stores of all kinds, and to meet existing liabilities heretofore accrued. 
 
 All government officers, agents and contractors, engaged in the purchase 01 
 
 removal of cotton, in or through Texas, will, without delay, report to Lient, CoL 
 
 ■v.j. Hntchins, at Houston, Texas, the contract or authority under which they 
 
 ict, the amount of cotton purchased by them, and from whom : the disposition 
 
 of it, and the amount of cotton and transportation in their possession and 
 
 their control : and all parties having control of cotton, or cotton transpor- 
 
 d belonging to the Government, will be governc/d by hie instructions. 
 
 In future, all applications for the making of contracts based on cotton, or for 
 •xemptions from impressment in the District of Texas. ,v-c. will, in every in- 
 stance, be first presented to Lieut. Col. Hntchins for his approval. And all mili- 
 tary offi era in the District of Texas, Ac, are prohibited from making such 
 tracts or granting such exemptions, except upon application to Lieut. 
 Hntchins and his approval. All cotton now or hereafter in transit, notexei 
 as above directed, Will be liable at any time to be impressed under the directions 
 of Lieut. Colonel Hntchins, to meet and relieve the immediate military necessities 
 of this Department, and the District Commanders will issue all the necessary 
 orders, and render all the military assistance required to carry such orders into 
 prompt execution. 
 
 Lt. Col. Hntchins will control the disposition of all cotton acquired by him 
 f<r the Government in meeting the existing liabilities of the Government, and in 
 *he purchase of army supplies through an agent or agents designated by him, and 
 approved by Lieut. Gen. Smith. 
 
 Lieut. Col. Hntchins will make his reports through Lieut. Col. W. A. Broad- 
 ..•;!. to Department Head Quarter.-. 
 
 By command of Likit. Gen. E. KIRBY SMITH, 
 
 GUY M. BRYAN, 
 
 Major & A. A. Gen. 
 
 Head Quarters, Dist. of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, 
 
 HOUSTON, TEXAS. Dec. 1, 1863. 
 SPECIAL ORDERS,) 
 No. 8H. J 
 
 ***♦*» 
 
 VI. In conformity to the above, Lt. Col. W. J. Hntchins is assigned to 
 duty as Chief of the Texas Cotton Bureau. 
 
 All officers and agents engaged in the purchase, or removal of Cotton, in 
 this District, will report to Lt. Col. Hutchius, and be governed by instructions 
 from him. 
 
 Those who have contracts, based upon the exportation of Cotton, will pre- 
 sent them for revision, and those who hold permits to export Cotton will submit 
 hem for ratification, or cancelment, as thi3 Cotton Bureau may determine. 
 
 Lt. CoL Hntchins will exercise his discretion iu executing any order upon the 
 nubjeot of Cotton previously issued from these Head Quarters. 
 
 All transportation employed by the Cotton Bureau is exempted from im- 
 pressment, and will not be molested by officers of this District. 
 
 BY COMMAND OF 
 
 Maj. Gen. J. BANKHEAD MAGBUDER, 
 
 W. A. ALSTON, 
 
 Capt. and A. A. General. 
 
. . 
 
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Hollinger Corp. 
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