On September 1, 1863, Col. E.B. Alexander, Acting Assistant Provost Marshal General in St. Louis, writes to Capt. William Fowler, Provost Marshal for the 7th District of Missouri, in St. Joseph, Missouri. Alexander instructs Fowler that deserters from "the Rebel Army" who are drafted will not be forced to serve against the Confederates. Instead, they should be given another military duty or discharged from the service.