Confederate States Of America,
War Department,
War Department,
Montgomery, May 18, 1861.
Maj. Edward C. Anderson,
Confederate Army, Montgomery, Ala.:
Sir: You are hereby directed to proceed to Europe without delay for the purpose of making purchases of munitions of war and to execute such other instructions as may be intrusted to you by the heads of the Departments of this Government. On your arrival abroad you will at once, if possible, place yourself in communication with Capt. Caleb Huse, who has heretofore been sent abroad on a mission similar to that now intrusted to you. The Bureau of Ordnance will furnish you with copies of the instructions with which Captain Huse is charged, and you will hasten to co-operate with him in making the purchases and shipments therein specified. Should you be unable to communicate with Captain Huse after due inquiry for that purpose, you will proceed yourself to execute all that pertains to the duties with which he was charged. You will report your address to this Department as soon as you arrive abroad and make frequent reports of your proceedings.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
L. P. WALKER ,
Secretary of War.