(1828-1891) Confederate brigadier general, captured at New Madrid, severely wounded at Champion’s Hill during the Vicksburg campaign, and fought during the Atlanta and Carolina campaigns. Good association and very interesting content war-date A.L.S., 2pp. large folio, Demopolis, AL, Feb. 24, 1864, to Alabama governor THOMAS H. WATTS (1819-1892). Baker raises the alarm in regards to the burgeoning problem of desertion among the Confederate ranks, in large part: ‘I took the liberty yesterday to telegraph you in respect to twelve deserters from my Regiment. Last night five others deserted. From the character of these men I as well as the generals commanding apprehend the most disastrous consequences if this effort is not frustrated & these who have been evidently chosen to make the experiment are not brought back to justice. At a time when you are striving to arouse the citizens and gloriously pledging yourself to take the field in person it is particularly disheartening to see the veteran soldier turn his back & abandon his flag. If I thought it would stop here I would regard it as only the loss of 17 men but it is only the beginning. It can however be checked by making sufficient effort & if these men can be promptly caught & made examples of it will be... a victory. If they succeed in getting away it will be worse for us than a battle lost. Do not think that I attach too much importance to this matter. I have had three long years of experience with the temper and designs of our soldiers & I know this is not the individual undertaking of these men but the result of a plan which is now being eagerly watched by the rest. I gave you in the telegram the names of the men (8) who live in Coffee Co. It is thought they will try to cross the Ala. river at lower peach tree or at old Ft. Claiborne... If you can in time guard the ferries on the Ala. River they may be caught there…’ Baker goes on to name an additional nine deserters from DeKalb County, identifying one as a preacher, and continues: ‘… I can do nothing myself, Govr. My Regt. has hitherto been distinguished for its good discipline. I have done all that I can to preserve it. I fear it is now on the brink of destruction. I appeal to you, Govr., to assist us in this important matter by every means in your power. Gen. [Abraham] Buford orders me to spare no expense or effort… We have crossed the Tombigbee [River] on our way west. The report of Mississippi desertions on the late retreat is exaggerated. Gen. [William W.] Loring says it will not exceed 200 in his Division.’ Baker signs boldly in black ink at the conclusion. Shows original mailing folds with minor splits thereto at the edges, shows small areas of rodent damage at center and at the top and bottom edges, with some soiling throughout, otherwise in very good condition overall.