(1833-1898) Confederate brigadier general who served in the Western and Trans-Mississippi theaters of the war, captured following the Siege of Vicksburg but later paroled. Fine military content, war-date A.L.S., 3pp. 4to., Vernon, LA, Sep. 2, 1863, to a Maj. R. B. Smith, presumably an aide. Dockery writes shortly after being paroled following his capture and his promotion to Brigadier General, in full: ‘I arrived today from Richmond en route for Genl E[dmund] Kirby Smith with special instructions from Sec’ War for the organization of the Arkansas Troops surrendered at Vicksburg & Port Hudson for service in the Trans-Miss[issippi] Dept. The whole when organized will be under my command – some thirteen Regts four Battalions & four or five Artillery Companies, and when properly recruited according to the instructions of the Sect’y from those subject to military duty in the state of Arks under the present call, will make one of the finest commands in the dept. Genl Smith is also advised to mount the command and assign it to special duty the nature of which however I will advise you in person A large proportion of the command has been already exchanged for and I hope to receive the list completed by the time I can get the command collected together. It is impossible for me to communicate with all my line officers before the publication of my General orders in regards to the reorganization of the commands should you meet with any of theirs or an opportunity of communicating state that I desire that they set to work to collect up their commands at once. I cant tell precisely at what time I will reach Camden [Arkansas] but will delay no time in getting there as soon as possible. The command will be organized at that point unless otherwise decided by Genl Smith. If any of the officers of my command should be at Camden designate the senior officer present to take command of all the officers & men, supply and ration them until my arrival or further orders. I have not time to write you. in regards to prospects on the other side of the River. Genl Lee’s Army is in fine condition the Rappahannock. Meads reported not so good, and was thought that if matters did not change for the better for the Enemy soon Lee would attack him. Down here the Enemy are moving out to the Ouachita [River] but it is for no other purpose I think than to establish a line of garrisons 50 to 75 miles from the Miss to more effectively guard the navigation of the River from cavalry raids and guerrilla warfare. I send by Mr. McCauty the Books & papers of my Brigade which you will hold until called for by myself or some one of my staff. I also send you a few letters which you will have delivered or mailed to their proper destinations. [all sic]’ He signs ‘Thos. P. Dockery’ at the conclusion in black ink, adding his newly-received rank ‘Brig. Genl.’ Shows original mailing folds, mildly toned at the edges and with some damp stains and other soiling throughout, otherwise in very good to fine condition overall. Dockery led his Arkansas brigade in the Red River campaign, and in 1864 was assigned to command the reserve Forces of the State of Arkansas. In this capacity, he signed the instrument of surrender for all Confederate forces in Arkansas at war’s end.