TITLE: The war of the rebellion: a compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate armies. / Series 1 - Volume 52 (Part II) AUTHOR: United States. War Dept., John Sheldon Moody, Calvin Duvall Cowles, Frederick Caryton Ainsworth, Robert N. Scott, Henry Martyn Lazelle, George Breckenridge Davis, Leslie J. Perry, Joseph William Kirkley PUBLISHER: Govt. Print. Off., Washington, 1898 Page A Production Note Cornell University Library produced this volume to preserve the informational content of the deteriorated original. The best available copy of the original has been used to create this digital copy. It was scanned bitonally at 600 dots per inch resolution and compressed prior to storage using ITU Group 4 compression. Conversion of this material to digital files was supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Digital file copyright by Cornell University Library 1995. This volume has been scanned as part of The Making of America Project, a cooperative endeavor undertaken to preserve and enhance access to historical material from the nineteenth century. Page B F: LL5~ L*~ THE GIFT OF 4 .~zY. ~& ~frV~ ~~u - AL~cfl~ OES NOT C.!JLAT Title Page Page 1 THE WAR OF THE REBELLION: A COMPILATION OF THE if, OFFICIAL RECORDS OF THE UNION AND CONFEDERATE ARMIES. PUBLISHED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF The Hon. RUSSELL A. ALGER, Secretary of War~ BY MAJ. GEORGE W. DAVIS, U. S. ARMY, MR. LESLIE J. PERRY, CIVILIAN EXPERT, MR. JOSEPH W. KIRKLEY, CIVILIAN EXPERT, Board of Pubtioatioa. SERIES IVOLUME LuIN TWO PARTS. PART LICONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1898 Page 2 I Page 3 PART 11.VOL. LII. CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RE TURNS RELATJNG TO OPERATIONS IN SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA, KENTUCKY, TENNESSEE, MISSISSIPPI, ALA- BAMA, WEST FLORIDA, AND NORTHERN GEORGIA. SUPPLEMENT EMBRACING DOCUMENTS POUND OR RECEIVED TOO LATE FOR INSER- TION IN VOLUMES 1,4,6,7, 10, 15, 16, 17, 20, 23, 24, 26, 30, 31, 32, 38, 39, 45, AND 49. January 1, 1861June 30, 1865. WASHiNGTON, January 7, 1861. COLE SAUNDERS, Paducah, Ky.: Etheridge-Crittenden bill voted down. All hopes lost. Disunion inevitable. A. L. SAUNDERS. 14.] WASHINGTON, Janu~~ry 7, 1861. Hon. D. B. WRIGHT, Jackson, Miss.: Hope is dead. Secede at once. To-day is the darkest yet. Telegraph the ordinance. Pay here. Letter of Governor by mail. A. U. BROWN. [1.] WASHINGTON, January .9, 1861. General C. J. MCRAE, Mobile, Ala.: Presidents message* is a recital of existing state of things. Says he is bound to execute the laws, but is powerless, and refers the whole January 8, 1861. (3 Page 4 4 SW.VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP.LXIV. matter to Congress, which alone can declare war and pass such meas- nres as will enforce execution of the laws. Message referred by Repub. licans, under preVIous question, to committee of five. Nothing further important to-day. [1.1 J. J. 1\JciRAE. JACKSON, Miss., January 9, 1861. Hon. WILLIAM M. BRooKs: I am instructed by the Mississippi State convention to inform you that the State of Mississippi, by vote of her convention approaching unanimity, has seceded unconditionally from the Union, and desires, on the basis of the old Constitution, a new union with the seceded States. WILLIAM S. BARRY, [1.] President of the Convention. WASHINGTON, D. C., January 10, 1861. Hon. W. S. BARRY, Jackson, Miss.: Dispatch received. Is it intended we shall withdraw immediately, or shall we wait for the official ordinance l JEFFN DAVIS. A. G. BROWN. 0. H. SINGLETON. [1.] JOHN J. McRAE. HEADQUARTERS; Col. T. LOMAX, Montgomery, Januarg 11, 1861. Second Regiment Alabama Volunteers, Pensacola, Fla.: COLONEL: The Governor requests me to direct you to have a correct roll made out of each company under your command at present at Pen. sacola, or that may have left Alabama for that point, and forward them to the adjutant-generals office. You will at the same time forward a consolidated return of your whole force as it left this State. You will see the necessity of giving prompt attention to this matter. Respectfully, your obedient servant, ~ ~. SEIBELS, [1.] Colonel and Aide-de-Camp. WASHINGTON Jan His Excellency M. S. PERRY, nary 11, 1861. Governor of Florida, Tallahassee, Fla.: Your telegram received. I acknowledge with pride the full sov- ereignty of my State. [1.] D. L. YULEE. HUNTSViLLE, Jan nary 12, 1861. Governor A. B. MOORE: I leave for Montgomery to-day. It is absolutely certain that Ten- nessee will go with the South. [1.J L. P. WALKER Page 5 Ca& p. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 5 EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, January 1/2, 1861. Hon. WILLIAM M. BROOKS, President State Convention: SIR: The following resolution, passed by the convention, has just been handed me by the secretary of that body: Resolved, That the Governor he requested to communicate to the convention any information he may have as to the condition of military operations near Pensacola. I regret that it becomes my duty to inform the convention that the Federal troops have deserted the navy-yard and Fort Barrancas, and now occupy Fort Pickens with about eighty men. The guns are spiked at Barrancas and the navy-yard and the public stores removed to Fort Pickens. This fort commands Fort Barrancas and the navy-yard, and can only be taken by an effective force, and by bold and skillful move- ments. Fort Pickens was garrisoned on Wednesday night. Colonel LomaX left Montgomery on Wednesday night, at 7 oclock, with 225 men, and arrived at Pensacola last night at 10. The 300 troops ordered from Mobile to the same point, under the resolution of the convention, were telegraphed, when about to sail for Pensacola, by Major Chase, in command at Pensacola, to remain in Mobile until the receipt of further orders. The Governor of Mississippi has ordered troops, at my sugges- tion, to Pensacola. They will halt at Mobile, I presume, until ordered to sail for Pensacola. This is all the information I can give at this time. I expect a messenger to-night with fall information. [1.] A. B. MOORE. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, January 12, 1861. Col. D. C. GREEN, Assistant Quartermaster- General, Mobile, Ala.: DEAR SIR: I dispatched you yesterday authorizing the draft of ~10 ,000 on this department for the defense of the forts in Mobile Bay, & c., on my own responsibility, there being no funds appropriated for that purl)ose. To-day I have your dispatch informing me that a meet- ing of the citizens would be held, and ~100,000 would be raised for the defense of the place. I dispatched L. W. Lawler to-day, requesting that all moneys raised for the purpose indicated, if it was expected they should be reimbursed by the State, must be deposited in bank, to be drawn for by the proper officer upon satisfactory vouchers. Mobile must be defended at whatever cost, but I must earnestly appeal to every one connected with the military service of the State to observe as much economy in the uses of the public funds as is consistent with the effi- ciency of the service. In the present instance let the contemplated work for which these hejrvy expenditures are to be made be well considered before they are undertaken, and when completed, or as they progress by contract, let them be examined to see if they are in compliance with the engagements, and in all cases let proper vouchers be furnished upon the disbursement of the public money. Heavy drafts will soon have to be made upon the treasury for military purposes, and it is incumbent upon every patriotic citizen in the employinent of the State, so far as it may be in his power, to husband every dollar of her resources by seeing that not a dollar is improperly expended. I feel sure that you will appre- ciate this appeal; that you will respond to it and cause it to be heeded by all under your orders and directions. Respectfully, & c., [iKI A. B. MOORE Page 6 6 Sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. Col. JOHN MCRAE, [WASHINGTON, B. 0.,] January 12, 1861. Wilmington, N. C.: Astonished at your information. Jmpossible! Cannot comprehend. Please go immediately down. I cannot leave. Soutter here. Send me by telegraph all particulars. D. L. VULEE. [1.] HEADQUARTERS, Col. D. LEADEETTER, Montgomery, January 12, 1861. Aide-de- Camp, Mobile, Ala.: COLONEL: Governor Moore is in receipt of your report of the capture of Mount Vernon Arsenal, and requests me to express to you his entire satisfaction and gratification at the manner iii which you and the offi- cers and troops under your command have discharged your duty in that enterprise. The charge for the steamer appears erroneous. Fif- teen hundred dollars of the amount will be paid now, and the balance held over for further inquiry and consideration. No disposition of the arms or public property taken in the forts can be made at present. The Governor regrets, therefore, that he cannot comply with Mr. Shepherds wishes to have the rifles. Respectfully, & c., J. J. SEIBELS, [1.1 Aide-de- Camp. WASHINGTON, Jan nary 12, 1861. JOHN MCRAE, Wilmington, N. C.: Yours to Yulee alarms me. Please go down to Florida and act promptly. You have my sanction. J. T. SOUTTER. [1.] Governor MAGOFFIN, [WASHINGTON, January 12, 1861.] Frankfort, Ky.: We recommend the appointment of five commissioners, to be aI)pointed by Kentucky, to meet Virginia commissioners, on 4th of February, in Washington, for settlement of national difficulties. J. J. CRITTENDEN. J. W. STEVENSON. JOHN YOUNG BROWN. W. E. SJMMS. H. C. BURNETT. W. C. ANDERSON. L. W. POWELL. S. R. MALLORY. SAML. 0. PEYTON. L. T. MOORE. G. ADAMS. [1.] F. lvi. BRISTOW Page 7 7 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. HEADQUARTERS, Montgomery, January 13, 18G1. Col. T. LoMAx, Second Regiment Alabama Volunteers, Pensacola, Eta.: COLONEL: The Governor instructs me to say to you that the posses- sion of all the fortifications commanding the entrance to and the har- bor of Pensacola is of the last importance to the safety of the seceding States on the Gulf of Mexico. No other place on the Gull is sate while the Federal troops hold possession of the coinmahding fortifica- tions at Pensacola. The Governor, therefore, desires that you take into immediate consideration the practicability of getting possession of Foit Pickens. Obtain all the information from military and other sources as to the best means of taking it, and use your discretion as to the propriety of making the attempt. The Governor desires me to say that he has full confidence in your prudence, judgment, and courage, and leaves the method and manner of attack entirely to your decision. Do not unnecessarily or uselessly expose the lives of your troops, but the importaiice of having in our possession every fortified place in the harbor of Pensacola may render a sacrifice necessary in order to obtain them. Should the Governor of Florida have appointed any one to the command of the troops atPensacolaof courseyou will have to conform to his orders, but press upon him the importance of this movement. The Governor received from the mayor of Augusta, this morning, the followingdispatch: Information has been received that the Gulf squadron is ordered to concentrate at Pensacola. It is presumed that this information was obtained from the operator at Augusta from dispatches passing through. A copy of this dispatch has been sent to the Governor of Florida. Three hundred troops, mostly from Mississippi, will leave Mobile Bay to-day by water for Pensacola, and three other companies, viz, Capt. Samuel H. Wimberly, of the Conecuh Guards; Capt. T. 0-. Pou, of the Greenville Guards, and Capt. E. M. Law, of the Alabama Zonaves, Tuskeegee, are ordered to march at once for Pensacola, and six other companies have been ordered to march to Montgomery and hold themselves in readiness to march at a moments notice to any point that it may be deemed necessary to send them. The Governor directs me to express to you, and through you to the troops under your com- mand, the great satisfaction he has experienced in Major Chases report of their gallant behavior since their arrival in Pensacola. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. J. SEIBELS, [1.] Colonel and Aide-dc- Camp. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Montgomery, January 14, 1861. Col. T. LOMAX: I dispatch by W. P. Vanderveer 1,500 cartridges. Others will be forwarded, say 4,000, by next Fridays train. ~1.] A. B. MOORE. WAsuIN~TON CITY, January 15, 1861. Hon. WILLIAM M. Buooxs, Montgomery, Ala.: Has certified copy of ordinance been sent us l Telegraph officially secession of State. C. C. CLAY, JR. BEN. FITZPATRICK. [1. Page 8 8 Sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. MONTGOMERY Ja Hon. WILLIAM M. BROOKS, , nuary 15, 1861. President of Convention: SIR: I have received a notification that my company, the Warrior Guards, Tuscaloosa County, starts today for Fort Morgan, by order of the Governor, and it is my duty as well as my inclination tojoiii it Iorthwith. I therefore resign my place as secretary to your honorable body. Respectfully, [1.] W. II. FOWLER. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Capt. H. ~. BLOUNT, Montgomery, Ala., January 15, 1861. Brewersvilie, A Ia.: SIR: Your letter to the C overnor, asking to be ordered in the serv- ice, also for arms, & c., has been duly received, and the Governor directs me to say to you that it has become necessary to cease the issue of arms for the present to all troops except those who are ordered into actual service. He requests that you hold your company ready to move at the shortest notice, thinking it probable that he may need your ~ervices at no distant day. Respectfully, your obedient servant, J. J. SEIBELS, Aide-dc- Camp. N. B.Wheu ordered into service, arms, accouterments, & c., will be issued to you at the point to which you are ordered to rendezvous. [1.] J. J. S. [WASHINGTON, D. C.,] January 15, 1861. His Excellency M. S. PERRY, Governor of Florida, Tallahassee: We have ceased participation in the proceedings of Senate, and only await receipt of authenticated ordinance to retire formally. D. L. YULEE. [1.] 5. II. MALLORY. ., uary 15,] 1861. Col. W. H. CHASE, [WASHINGTON, D C Jan Pensacola: It is charged that the correspondence of the Government through the mails has been interfered with in the post-office by the State authorities. Let the postmaster send a dispatch. [1.] D. L. YULEE. Maj. W. H. CHASE, WASHINGTON, January 15, 1861. Pensacola, Fla.: Value of ordnance stores at Pensacola yard $117,000, including Dahlgreu howitzers; very useful. [i.1 S. H. MALLORY Page 9 CHAP. LILY.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC,CONFEDERATE. 9 WASHINGTON, January 16, 1861. Governor A. B. MOORE, Montgomery, Ala.: Yesterday Republican Senators defeated Crittendens resolutions and carried Clarks, opposing all constitutional amendments, and declaring for protection of public property, enforcement of laws, and preservation of Union, many Southern Senators not voting. [1.] C. C. CLAY, JR. WASHINGTON, January 16, 1861. Governor PERRY, Tallahassee, lila.: Our friends here unanimous that no blood must be shed before Southern Confederacy organized. Jeff. Davis tells me to say that in present condition of affairs Pensacola forts not worth one drop of blood. I write by this mail. [1.] 5. R. MALLORY. WASHINGTON, January 16, 1861. Maj. W. II. CHASE, Pensacola, lila.: Yours received. Southern men are unanimous that no blood must be shed in present state of affairs; that we must first organize South- ern Confederacy. Jeff. Davis tells me to say that he hopes none will be shed before, and that Pickens is not worth one drop of blood. Excitement here. I write by this mail to you. [1.] 5. R. MALLORY. WASHINGTON, January 16, 1861. Hon. A. E. MAXWELL, Pensacola, lila.: Bloodshed at ])resellt will ruin our cause. On this we are unanimous here. Jeff. Davis says Fort Pickens is not worth one drop of blood. See to this, and avoid a collision at all hazards. S. R. MALLORY. (Same to R. C. Campbell and C. C. Yonge, Pensacola, Fla.) [1.] EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Montgomery, Ala., January 16, 1861. Capt. M. SMITH, Mount Vernon: DEAR SIR: Yours of the 9th instant, inclosing copy of the return of ordnance and ordnance stores, & c., at Mount Vernon, furnished by Captain Reno, has been received. This return will be filed in the proper department for future reference, but it is important that you take a true inventory of everything at as early a day as practicable and forward to this department. Col. Duff C. Green, of Mobile, has been appointed assistant quartermaster-general. I inclose your com- mission as captain of ordnance at Mount Vernon. Respectfully, [1.j A. B. MOORE Page 10 10 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. [JANUARY 17, 1861.] Hon. J. J. PETTUS, Jackson, Miss.: Will you require me in Yirginia~ Shall I return by Charleston or shall I go direct to Jackson ~ Has copy of ordinance been forwarded? What do you wish in relation thereto U? JEFFN DAVIS. [1.] WASHINGTON, January 17, 1861. JOSEPH H. DAVIS, Jackson, Miss.: I am still sick. Expect to leave in three days. Have not received the copy of secession ordinance, nor Governors answer as to Virginia. JEFFK DAVIS. [1.] EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Montgomery, January 18, 1861. Hon. JOHN D. RATHER, President of the Senate: SIR: In obedience to a resolution of the Senate I herewith transmit the several military orders issued by me from this department in regard to the forts and arsenal in Alabama and to the expedition to Pensacola, the latter being done under resolution of the convention of the State of Alabama. The orders in reference to taking the forts and arsenal at Mobile were made upon my own responsibility, and all the companies were discharged except a sufficient force to maintain the positions thus taken after they were secured. Receiving information not now proper to be disclosed, I ordered six companies to Mobile from the interior to protect the forts. Upon their arrival two of the companies who had been stationed at Fort Morgan since its seizure were disTharged. In con seqnence of 500 volunteers being sent from Mississippi to Pensacola ha~ying made up about 230 of the men intended to be sent from Mobile, I have ordei3ed four other companies to Pensacola from the interior. which constitutes about the number of 500 men ordered under the reso- lution of the convention. It will be seen from the orders that several companies were ordered to rendezvous at this place for the purpose of marching to Pensacola at a moments warning. These orders were made in consequence of receiving dispatches from Pensacola and other places showing the necessity of the movement. Having received other information not now proper to be disclosed, these orders have been coun- termanded. In all I have done I have had due regard to the public safety and economy. I trust that the securing of the forts and arsenal, with a very large amount of arms, ammunition, & c., and the probable prevention of a large t2~:penditure of money and blood under the cir- cumstances, will be a sufficient justification of my acts in taking and securing them without the authority of law. Respectfully, A. B. MOORE. [1. Page 11 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 11 HEADQUARTERS, Montgomery, January 19, 1861. Col. T. LOMAX, & cond Regiment Alabama Volunteers, Pensacola, Fla.: COLONEL: Your letters up to the 15th, inclusive, have been ~1uly received. The Governor instructs me to say to you that he fully appre- ciates your position and that of our brave troops under your command; that he is anxious to do everything in his power to render your condi- tion less irksome and more agreeable. The importance of Pensacola to Alabama in a military point of view was of course the main cause of your expedition; but to accomplish the object proper]y it became neces- sary that the Governor of Florida should control it, and therefore the disposition of troops could not be changed without his order and con- sent. Unless, therefore, he should signify a willingness to assume the entire defense of Pensacola by the troops of that State, and exhibit a fbrce necessary to do so, it would not be practicable or safe to withdraw the volunteers from Alabama at present there until they could be rej)laced by others. Although the expedition may have failed in its object so far as the actual possession of all the forts is concerned, still it is not the less indispensable that a strong military force should be present to prevent the formation of a great military depot at that point, from which none of the Gulf States would have been free from annoyance, if indeed from actual danger, and especially the large cities of Mobile and New Orleans. The former is not more than fifty miles distant, is entirely defenseless, and if taken Fort Morgan would fall an easy prey to the enemy. Confined to Fort Pickens, if the Federal Government should make war upon us, they could not concentrate any considerable body of troops there, and even though the other forts and navy-yard might be commanded by it, still they themselves could not venture to occupy them while we were present in sufficient numbers. At all events they could not fit out an expedition there for operations upon other points. In view of these facts the Governor hopes you and Major Chase will not lose sight of the importance of works of defense and offense in the immediate vicinity of those forts, in case tjimey should be rendered untenable by the guns of Fort Pickens. It is a question, therefore, submitted to the consideration of yourself aftd Major Chase, whether or not it might not be better to erect earth-works at a suitable distance inland, and in a great measure out of the range of Fort Pickens, and remove all the guns and material out of Fort Barrancas and the navy- yard. If these places are commanded by Fort Pickens it is not safe to allow important stores and material to remain within their walls, and their removal to a more secure and defensible spot should be speedihy provided for. So soon as the necessary appropriations are made and it shall be determined to retain your command longer in the service than it was at first contemplated, suitable clothing and magazines shall be furnished you. Until this shall be ascertained the Governor feels sure that you and the gallant men under your command will endure what- ever privations and danger the exigencies of th~ service may call for with the same alacrity, gallantry, and self-sacrificing devotion that has already characterized your conduct. Doctor Ballenger was dispatched to Pensacola on the 17th with what cartridges he had made, with instructions to remain there under your orders for that purpose. The four pieces of ordnance were shipped by railroad this morning. Very respectfully, ~. ~-. SEIBELS, Colonel and Aide.de.Oamp. [1. Page 12 12 Sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [On~~. LXLY. Governor PERRY, MILLIDGEVILLE, January 19, 1861.-~.30 p. m. Tallahassee: Ordinance for immediate secession just passed by 208 to 89. Nearly all will sign it. JOS. E. BROWN. [1.] CHARLESTON, January 19, 1861. Governor PERRY, Tallahassee: Four thousand muskets ready for shipment Monday morning. How shall they be sent and where ~? L. W. SPIRATT. [1.] HEADQUARTERS, Montgomery, January 20, 1861. Col. DUFF C. GREEN, - Assistant Quartermaster- General, Jiliobile, Ala.: COLONEL: The Governor instructs me to acknowledge your tele- graphic dispatch of yesterday concerning the supplies sent to Pensa- colatents, knapsacks, & c. The stores taken at the navy-yard at Pensacola have not been reported to headquarters unfit for use. On the contrary, Colonel Lomax writes that the troops draw their supplies principally from the navy-yard, without any complaint of their quality. He also reports a quantity of pork, beef, rice, bread, butter, cheese, beans, molasses, spirits, candles, & c., as being on hand. Of course our troops must have good and sound food of the proper kind, but the force at Pensacola is under th~ command and orders of the Governor of Florida, those from Alabama sent there at his request, and if supplies or magazines of any kind are needed which cannot be furnished by that State application should be made for them here if it is desired that Alabama should supply them. While we are willing to do everything in our power for thc honor and safety of the seceding States, yet it is bnt just and fair that the expenses and sacrifices should be mutually and proportionately borne by each. You will therefore keep a proper and distinct account of the supplies, & c., furnished to troops at Pensa- cola, designating by whose orders or requisition sent and for what particular troops if practicable. The tents spoken of in your dispatch have arrivcd, but have not been examined. It is presumed that you attended to that before they were received and shipped. Very respectfully, & c., J. J. SEIBELS, [1.] Aide-dc- Camp. HEADQUARTERS, Montgomery, January 20, 1861. Capt. M. SMITH, Captain of Ordnance, Mount Vernon, Ala.: SIR: The Governor directs me to authorize you to employ the men you name in your letter of the 14th, at the prices stated by you, a Page 13 13 CNAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. necessary to attend to the arsenal and grounds at Mount Vernon. The return of Captain Reno and the map is herewith returned, copies having been retained here. You will see that the powder in the arsenal is properly sunned and kept dry, and that the arms are not allowed to rust. Respectfully, & c., LI Colonel and Aide-de-Camp. WAsHINGTON, January 21, 1861. Hon. A. B. MooRE, Montgomery, Ala.: Took formal leave of Senate to.day, with Mississippi and Florida Senators. Fitzpatrick leaves to-morrow, Clay Monday. C. C. CLAY, JR. BEN. FITZPATRICK (Same to William M. Brooks, Montgomery, Ala.) [1.] [JANUARY 21, 1861.~ Hon. R. TooMES, Miilledgeville, Ga.: Send official notice from president convention. Seceding Senators withdrew to-day. JOHN J. JONES. [1.] EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Montgomery, January 22, 1861. Col. W. II. CHAsE, Commandant of Forces at Pensacola: SIR: I have appointed Col. John II. Forney my special aide, who will report himself to you at Pensacola. He is sent to that point for the purpose of aiding in drilling Alabama troops and performing any other military duties you may assign him, consistent with his position. He is a gentleman of the highest integrity, and an experienced officer. You may repose in him the fullest confidence. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. B. MOOLtE. [1.1 WAsHINGTON, January 22, 1861. Col. WILLIAM II. CHAsE, Pensacola, Fla.: Yours received. The ships ordered [to] keep outside the port, and to act strictly on the defensive. I leave to-morrow. Send future commu- nications to Slidell here. S. R. MALLORY. [1. Page 14 14 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. HEADQUARTERS, Col. T. LOMAX, Montgomery, January 23. 1861. Gomdg. $econd Regiment Alabama Volunteers, Pensacola, Eta.: COLONEL: Your letter of the 21st instant, inclosing the following papers, viz, first, telegraphic dispatch from Southern Senators second, copy of memorandum by Colonel Chase; third, special order to occupy Fort McRee; fourth, modifying the same; fifth, master-roll of field and staff; sixth, condensed report of strength of regiment, has been duly received, and the Governor directs me to write you that political con- siderations, growing mainly out of the advice of the Senators of the seceding States, as contained in their dispatch from Washington, a copy of which is mentioned above, renders the observance of the defen. sive policy imperative for the present, as will be seen by the inclosed copy of a memorandum * this day understood between His Excellency the Governor and Colonel Chase. It would be impracticable and unneces- sary to enter into explanations as to the propriety of this course, and the Governor feels confident that you and the other officers and soldiers nnder your command, as good and faithful soldiers, will cheerfully obey the orders of your superior officers, relying upon their judgment and patriotism that they have been issued for the efficiency of the service and the good of the cause in which we are all embarked. The Governor appreciates fully the many trials, difficulties, and privations to which you and your gallant troops are subjected, and will do all in his power to alleviate them and render your position and duties less irksome and disagreeable. Lieutenant-Colonel Battle has been ordered to make out a requisition of such things as your men are in pressing need of; with a view to haviiig them sent to you from Mobile, if they can be had there; and this the Governor undertakes upon his own responsibility, no appro- priation haying as yet been made for the purpose by the Legislature, and your command being under the orders and in the service of the Gov- ernor of Florida. Still our brave troops must not be allowed to suffer, and Assistant Quartermaster Green, at Mobile, will have orders to fill your requisition for provisions whenever sent. You should not, how- ever, make this demand unless it should become impossible to be sup- plied by the authorities of the State of Florida, in whose service you are. By the memorandum herewith inclosed you will see that the ilayneville troops, Captain Willingham, will be allowed to return home. As to leave of absence, furloughs, & c., you will arrange that with Colonel Chase. Ko final discharges should be made without reference to headquarters, except by sentence of a competent court-martial, or on certificate of disability. Very respectfully, J. J. SEIBELS, [1.] Colonel and Aide-de-Camp. WASHINGTON Ja Col. WILLIAM H. CHASE, , nuary 23, 1861. Commanding #S~tate Troops, Pensacola, Eta.: The post-office discontinued upon the ground that its use is denied to Slemmer. Can this be arranged l Anderson is allowed free use of the mail at Charleston. D. L. YULEE. [1.J Net feund Page 15 Cnip. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 15 HEADQUARTERS, Montgomery, January 24, 1861. Col. DUFF C. GREEN, Assistant Quartermaster- General, Miobile, Ala.: COLONEL: The Governor authorizes you to supply requisitions made upon you for provisions by Colonel Lomax at Pensacola. Arrange- meiits have been made for an extensive supply of provisions (which for obvious reasons, however, you will not make public for the present), and therefore the Governor does not wish you to l)urChase more sup- plies than will meet actual demands for the present. Colonel Lomax reports a deficiency in the receipt of provisions at Pensacola from the invoice sent from Mobile. Measures should be taken to prevent these peculations and depredations upon the department. The requisitions of Captain Ketchum for ordnance must be held up for further advise- ment. Several companies will speedily be enlisted into the regular service, and they may require all the ordnance of this kind that we can raise for field purposes. ~. ~. SEIBELS, Respectfully, & c., Colonel and Aide-de-Camp. [1.] JANUARY 28, 1861. S. H. MALLORY, GEORGE S. HAWKINS, A. E. MAXWELL, Pensacola: The Brooklyn is bound to Pensacola. Two compalaics on board. D. L. YULEE. [1.] HEADQUARTERS, Montgomery, Ala., January 2.9, 1861. Col. T. LOMAX AS~econd Regiment Alabama Volunteers, Pensacola, Pla.: COLONEL: It has become necessary to raise troops for more perma- nent service, and the Governor has determined to accept the services of volunteers for twelve months, under the ordinance of the conven- tion of the 19th of January, 1861, a copy of which is herewith inclosed to you. The Governor directs me to authorize you to accept the services of such volunteers from this State now at Pensacola as will enter the service for twelve months, unless sooner discharged, and to organize them into companies of not less than fifty and not more than eighty- five men, allowing each company to elect their own commissioned offi- cers. You will at once muster them into the service of the State, and cause a complete return thereof to be made to headquarters as soon as practicable. It is the Governors intention to relieve all troops now in the service of the State with either enlisted troops or with volunteers for twelve months at the earliest practicable moment. Measures are being taken here for this purpose, and so soon as a sufficient number are raised, all those troops will be relieved who have been hastily called into service at so much personal sacrifice and inconvenience. Very respectfully, & c., ~. ~-. SEIBELS, Colonel and Aide-dc-Camp. (Same to Col. John B. Todd, Mobile.) [1. Page 16 16 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. PLA., & N. GA. [CHAP.LXIV. HEADQUARTERS, Montgomery, January 30, 1861. Capt. WiLLIAM WALKER, First Artillery, Army of Alabama, Mobile, Ala.: CAPTAIN: The Governor has appointed you a captain of artillery in the regular army of the State, by virtue of an ordinance of the ~on- vention of the 19th of January, 1861, and your commission is herewith inclosed. You will at once signify yonr acceptance or detlension of tiliM commission. If you accept you will forthwith report yourself for duty, and await further instrnctions from headquarters. Respectfully, & c., J. J. SEIBELS, Colonel and Aide-de- Camp. (Similar letters of the same date were directed to Capt. Stephen P. Winston, Mobile, Al a.; II. Maury, Mobile, Ala., care of Colonel Todd; Joseph M. Cary, Eufaula, Ala.; James T. Gee, Selma, Ala.; John Burtwell, Florence, Ala.) [1.] JANUARY 31, 1861. Hon. S. H. MALLORY, Col. W. II. CHASE, Pensacola: The subject of your dispatch is before the President. Will advise you the result. D. L. YULEE. [1.] HEADQUARTERS, Montgomery, February 5, 1861. Capt. JOHN BURTWELL, Florence, Ala.: SIR: The Governor instructs me to order you to enter immediately on recruiting service in the district of Huntsville. You will at once open a rendezvous in the city of Huntsville, which will be your recruiting sta- tion. You are authorized to extend your efforts to obtain recruits into the neighboring counties and villages. You will be furnished with instructions, at an early day, from the adjutant-generals department, and until you receive them you will be governed by those found in the Regulations of the U. S. Army for 1857, authorized by Jefferson Davis, Secretary of War, so far as they may be applicable to the service of this State. Robert T. Jones has been this day appointed lieutenant- colonel of the First Regiment of the Army of Alabama, under the ordi- nance of the convention of the 19th of January, 1861, and assigned to the recruiting service as superintendent of all the districts in the State. Respectfully, & c., J. J. SEIBELS, Colonel and Aide-de.Camp. (Similar letters were addressed to Capt. William Walker, Mobile, recruiting district Mobile, recruiting station Mobile; Capt. James T. Gee, Selma, recruiting station Selma: Capt. Joseph M. Cary, recruitin Page 17 CHAP. LXTV.1 CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 17 district Eufaula, station Eufaula; Capt. Reuben T. Thorn, recruiting district Montgomery, station Montgomery. Captain Walker was authorized to extend his operations as far as New Orleans, provided the same would not be objected to by the Governor of Louisiana [1.] HEADQUARTERS, Montgomery, February 7, 1861. Col. JOHN H. FORNEY, First Regiment Artillery, Army of Alabama, Pensacola, Fla.: COLONEL: Your commission as colonel of artillery in the regular Army of Alabama is herewith inclosed. The Governor directs me to say to you that should the Governor of Florida signify his desire for you to take the command of all the troops at Pensacola, you of course are at liberty to do so, and in any event you will remain at Pensacola until further orders. The Governor desires you to do all in your power to render these twelve-months troopsnow being sent down as proficient as possible by constant drill and instruction. Very respectfully, J. J. SEIBELS, [1.] - Colonel and Aide-dc- Camp. MEMORANDUM ORDER.] EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Montgomery, February 11, 1861. Col. John J. Seibels, of my special staff and one of the members of the executive council, is sent to Mobile, Forts Morgan, Gaines, and Mount Vernon Arsenal, & c., with a view of examining into and report- ing upon the conditions of these fortifications, their armament, strength, and capacity generally to resist attack. He will also confer and coun- sel with Quartermaster-General Duff C. Green regarding the expenses of the quartermasters department, with the view of reducing its expend- itures to the lowest point consistent with the efficiency of the service. Finally, Colonel Seibels is authorized to inquire and examine into all matters connected with the military service of the State at the points visited by him, in order that he may furnish the Executive with such information as may enable him the better to provide for the exigencies of the crisis. A. B. MOORE. [1.] MONTGOMERY, ALA., February 18, 1861. His Excellency A. B. MOORE, Governor of the & ate of Alabama: SIR: On the 25th of January, 1861, I had the honor to receive from Your Excellency the appointment of commissioner from the State of Alabama to the Government of the United States at Washington City: To negotiate with the said Government in reference to the forts, arsenals, an(l custom-houses within this State, and the public (lel)t of the United States; also as to the future relations of the State of Mabama, now a sovereign, independent State, with the Government of the United States. 2 R RYOL LII, PT I Page 18 18 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. On receiving my commission I forthwith repaired to the city of Washington to enter upon the duties of the trust which had been con- fided to me. The day after my arrival I applied, through the Hon. C. C. Clay, jr., for an audience with the President of the United States to present my credentials and enter npon the proposed negotiations. I herewith submit to Your Excellency a copy of the entire corre- spondence between Mr. Clay and the President, and Mr. Clay and myself; relating to the mission. By it Your Excellency will perceive that the President refused to recognize me in the only character in which I was authorized to represent the State. This, of course, ended my duties as commissioner. Trusting my action, as shown by the correspondence, may meet with the approval of Your Excellency, I have the honor to be, with the high. est consideration, Your Excellencys most obedient servant, THOS. J. JUDGE, Commissioner fw [Inclosure No. 1.] BROWNS HOTEL, Hon. T. J. JUDGE: Washington City, February 2, 1861. DEAR SIR: I send you a copy of my note in your behalf; as commis- sioner, & c., to the President of the United States, and his reply, which has reached me since 7 p. m. Please read and advise me of your wishes and purpose in the premises by Monday next. I will defer my departure for a few days longer, if I can serve you by remaining. I am, respectfully and truly, yours, & c., ~. C. CLAY, JR. [Sub-inclosure No. 1.] BROWNS HOTEL, Washington City, February 1, 1861. His Excellency JAMES BUCHANAN, President of the United States of America: SIR: I have the honor to inform you that the Hon. Thomas J. Judge, of Alabama, duly commissioned to negotiate with the Government of the United States in reference to the forts, arsenals, and custom-houses in that State, and the debt of the United States; is in this city and desires to present his credentials and enter upon the proposed negotia- tion. Will you be pleased to inform me when it will suit your conven- ience to give him an audience, and oblige, With high consideration, Your Excellencys most obedient servant, C. C. CLAY, JR. [Sub-inclosure No. 2] WASHINGTON, February 2, 1861. Hon. CLEMENT C. CLAY, & c.: DEAR SIR: In answer to your note of yesterday, I shall be happy to receive the Hon. Thomas J. Judge, as a distinguished citizen of Ala- bama, either at 12 or 3 oclock on Monday, as may best suit his con- venience. You are doubtless aware, from my several messages, that, in my judgment, I have no power to recognize him in the character ascribed to him by your letter. Yours, very resl)ectfully, JAMES BUCHANAN Page 19 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 19 [Inc1o~ure No. 2.] BROWNS HOTEL, Washington, February 5, 1861. Hon. JAMES BUCHANAN, President of the United States of America: SIR: I submitted my note and your reply touching the mission of the lion. T. J. Judge to him for his consideration, and send you herewith a copy of his response. You will see that he declines to address you on the subject-matters of his mission, because he regards your note to me as closing the door against him as the representative of Alabama and repelling any offers she may have to make at the very threshold. I am sure that you desire peace with all the world, and especially with those States which have seceded from the Union. You profess to claim or hold forts and arsenals in those States only as property of the United States that you are bound to take care of. It is, therefore, matter of sur- prise and regret that you not only refuse to trust the people of those States with such property in their own limits and intended for their ben- efit, but pursue a course tendi:ig to destroy that property and to break the peace between your Government and those States. If, recognizing the right of secession, you had received Mr. Judge as commissioner from a foreign State, and had sent his proj~osals to the Senate-with your approval or objection, or, denying that right, you had submitted his proposals to Congress as those of a commissioner from a State of the Union, possibly the independence of the State might have been acknowl- edged and a treaty with it formed, or, denying its independence, Con- gress might have agreed to the sale and retrocession of the disputed places. At all events, it would have relieved you of the responsibility you have assumed of not only refusing to entertain a peaceful proposi- tion from a seceding State but of preventing Congress from receiving it. I see nothing in the Constitution forbidding the course I suggest, either on your part or that.of Congress. It would not have compro- mised your duty or the rights of the United States. Certainly the lands for Forts Morgan and Gaines, and for Mount Vernon Arsenal, were ceded to the United States for the erection of such needful buildings for the defense and protection of the people of Alabama. For what other purpose should the Governuient of the United States hold them f But it is too late, if not improper, to pur- sue the argument. Alabama has vindicated her integrity to the world. She sends her commissioner here to purchase the property which her people prefer to hold in their own defense. It is now useless to your Government, except to injure them or their allies or friends. Know- ing these facts, they were right to seize it, and are magnanimous to offer to pay your Government the amount it cost. They cannot mis- understand your course in refusing to receive their commissionerthat you deny their right to take their destiny in their own hands or to defend themselves against the Government of the United States or to resist its authority, and that you mean to control their action by mili- tary force. Their Governor advised you, as soon as possible after the seizure of the forts and arsenals: That it was done by his orders to make the Secession of Alabama peaceful, and to prevent your re-enforcing those places and shedding the blood and sacrificing the lives of her people in endeavoring to maintain the authority of your Government over them. Subsequent events have proven his wisdom and forecast. Your transfer of troops from Northern and Western posts to this city, and to all Southern forts where you apprehend that the people migh Page 20 20 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CRAP. LXIV. take them for their defense, to secure peaceful secession, show syour inclination to keep them for their coercion and to prevent peaceful secession. The frowning artillery and armed men brought to the unaccustomed view of the people of Maryland and Virginia, of Charles- ton and Pensacola, are just causes of offense to those who esteem them- selves free citizens, not subjects, masters, or servants of government. The free people of Alabama will not consent that l)laces of power granted by them to Government for their defense against insurrection and invasion shall be nsed in aid of their invasion and subjugation. They regard the uses now made of Forts Pickens, Sumter, Mdllenry, and others in Southern States as a gross abuse of the people and trust, a plain usurpation of ungranted power. And be assured that the men of the South will not long endure this constant menace of the power of your Government, or suffer it to stand sentinel over their doorways with presented arms, ready to challenge themselves or their friends or to dispute their ingress or egress. The instincts of mere brute nature, no less than the noblest sentiments of humanity, self-preservation, patriot- ism, honor, and pride of independence, conspire against such delib erate insult and persistent menace of injury. If not surrendered for the defense of the people against your standing army, they must and will take them at every hazard and any sacrifice. Those States that have seceded will never unite with the Northern States under a common governmentthe idea is preposterous, the ground is hopeless. There has been constant and increasing strife between them for more than a quarter of a century. They dift~r so widely in principles and sentiments, in morals, in manners, religion, and politics, as well as social institutions and habits, that the world knows that they are different and uncongenial types of civilization. They have long seen and felt it and cannot have a motive for living together that is not purely selfish and mercenary. I trust and believe they will hereafter form separate and distinct governments, in which they cannot love each other less or harm each other more than under a common government. The people of Alabama believe their rights will be better respected by the New England and other Northern States when out of this Union than they have been in it. The common preva- lence in the South of this opinion will forever prevent the rebuilding of the old Union. With your knowledge of the history of the United States and the nnhomogene~us characters of the Northern and Southern peoples you must agree with me that man will never witness the recon- struction of the Union. Then, why hold forts and keep troops in the seceded States if not to disturb us ~ Why not take the purchase money offered for them ~ Left to yourself I think you would withdraw your garrisons and sell us the forts, for you pray for peace and protest against coercion. Take care that your councils do not compromise your honor and your character by evincing uses of those strongholds at variance with your prayers and protests. A superannuated soldier, whose vanity and ignorance have never failed to provoke contempt whenever he essays to play the ~tatesman,is not competent to advise you. Neither is a mere jurist and scholar, who has lived a recluse and knows less of living and feeling men than of dead languages and abstract sciences. Trust your own judgment and feelings and I think you will correct the errors they have comnmitted by transferring your troops from Southern States, where they can only excite suspicion amid hearthurnings and make enemies of those who should be friends, to the Western frontier, where war is being carried on against citizens of the United States Page 21 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC,CONPEDERATE. 21 Hoping that good may come out of seeming evil and that we may not be precipitated into war by your preparations to prevent it, and wish- ing you the peace and tranquillity in your retirement that follows good deeds, I have the honor to be, respectfully and truly, your friend and obedient servant, C. C. CLAY, JR. [Sub-inclosure. WASHINGTON CITY, February 4, 1861. Hon. C. C. CLAY, Jr.: I acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 2d instant, inclosing the correspondence between yourself aIld His Excellency James Buch- anall, President of the United States, relating to my mission as com- missioner for the State of Alabama. The President declines to give me an audience in the only character in which I sought it, as commissioner for the State of Alabama, and thereby refuses to receive any proposals from that State for a settlement relating to the public debt of the United States, contracted while Alabama was a member of that con- federacy, and relating to the property in the. possession of Alabama which belonged to the United States of America before the withdrawal of Alabama from that Union. From this course of the President, it is to be presumed that he has abandoned all claim, or resolved not to make any, in his official character, to that property in behalf of his Govern- ment; or, that repelling every offer of amicable adjustment, he desires that it shall be retaken by the sword. But no matter what motive has prompted his unexpected treatment of me, I should be wanting in proper reverence for my State and proper appreciation of my present relations to her to sue for peaceful negotiations, since the right of Ala- bama to send me and my right to speak for her have been denied. And if negotiation is to settle our difficulties touching these forts and arse- nals,it must be proposed by the President to the C overnor at her capi- tol, whither I shall go and report the result of my mission. Whilst I regret this action of the President, it is gratifying to know that the State of Alabama, by her prompt efforts to do that justice in the prem- ises which has been thwarted by him, will stand justified before the world. That State having now been placed right upon the record, and under the circumstances nothing more remaining for me to accomplish as her commissioner, my mission ceases with this letter. Permit me to return you my thanks for the valuable aid you have ren- dered in endeavoring to advance the objects of my mission, and believe me to l)e, very truly, your friend and obedient servant, THOMAS J. JUDGE. [1.] MONTGOMERY, February 26, 1861. Col. JOHN H. FORNEY, Barrancas Barracks: (Care of Assistant Adjutant-General Kelly, Pensacola, Fla.) Can you sparc, to be transferred from Meltee to Fort Morgan, any columbiads? If so, how many, and when could transfer be made? L. P. WALKER, [1.] AS~ecretary of War Page 22 22 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. PLA., & N. GA. (CHkP.LXIY. PENSACOLA, [February] 28, 1861. L. P. WALIER, Secretary of War: i~eady for Fort Morgan two 8-inch columbiads. [1.] JNO. H. FORNEY. WAn DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Col. JOHN H. FORNEY, Montgomery, February 28, 1861. Pensacola, Fla.: Transfer the two columbiads to Fort Morgan without delay, so as not to excite suspicion. and report. [1.] L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War. WAR DEPARTMENT, Montgomery, March 2, 1861. Capt. HENRY MAIJRY, Fort Morgan: SIR: Understanding from the office of the adjutant-general of the State of Alabama that you are in command at Fort Morgan, I write to request that you will furnish to this Department without delay a state- ment of the exact condition of this fort, detailing minutely and fully its equipment, embracing the guns, their condition, caliber, mountings, & c.; the quantity and quality of the powder; the amount of ball and shells, & c.; the interior arrangements of the fort, & c. This Depart- ment has no official information of the condition of Fort Morgan, and what is desired of you is a full and complete report in detail, with such general remarks as may suggest themselves as proper and right. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, [1.] L. P. WALKER. WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Jlontgomery, March 2, 1861. Capt. THEODORE OIIARA, Fort McRee: SIR: Understanding from the adjutant-generals office of the State of Alabama that you are in command at Fort Mcliee, I write to request that you report to this Department without delay the exact condition of this fort in special reference to the following questions, to which you will add any general remarks deemed proper by you to be made: Ii irst. The number of 10-inch columbiads; and if there, how many are mounted, and whether in casemate or barbette l Second. The number of 8-inch columbiads and their condition, as above0? Third. The number of 42-pounders, and how many mounted and unmounted 0? Fourth. The number of 32-pounders, and how many are mounted and nnmounted 0? Fifth. The number of 24-pounders, and whether in casemate or bar- bette0? Sixth. The exact distance of the land battery from Fort McRee and the direction 0? How far from the new light-house; and if mounted, with what 0? Seventh. The distance of Fort Mellee from Fort Pickens, and the dis- tance of the land battery from Fort Pickens 0 Page 23 CHAP. LXIThj CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 23 Eighth. What amount of powder, and quality~ INiuth. Have you any fuses and wafersl If so, what quantity and qualityl If not, what quantity is required~ I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, L. P. WALKER, ~1.] & cretary of War. MARcH 2, 1861. Col. JOHN II. FORNEY, (Jotnrnanding Fort Barrancas: SIR: Understanding from the adjutant-generals office of the State of Alabama that you are in command of Fort Barrancas, J beg to submit the following questions for special reply at your earliest convenience, to which you can add any general remarks (leemed proper by you: First. What number of columbiads have you, and their caliber, mounted and unmounted, and whether those mounted are in caseinate or barbette? Second. The number of 42-pounders, their condition and working order, and how arranged, in upper or lower works? Third. What number, if any, of sea-coast howitzers, their size and condition, and whether in upper or lower works? Fourth. What number of 24-pounders, their condition, and whether in upperor lower works? Fifth. What number, if any, of 24-pounder howitzers for flank defense? Sixth. How far is your land battery between the fort and navy-yard distant from these places, respectively? Is it mounted; and if so, how and with what? Seventh. Are there any 68-pounders (ship guns) mounted at the navy-yard? If so, how many? Eighth. What number of fuses and wafers and their quality? Ninth. How much powder have you aiid its kind and quality? Tenth. Has the order of this l)epartment directing the transfer of the two columbiads to Fort Morgan been executed? Eleventh. Do you know the (~uautity of powder in magazine at navy- yard, and is it or not within range of the guims from Fort Pickens? I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, L. P. WALKER, [1.] & cretary of War. PENSACOLA., March 4, 1861. L. P. WALKER: The two columbiads with chassis, carriages, implements, and equip- ments complete were shipped at 10 p. in. for Fort Morgan. JNO. H. FORNEY. [1.] MONTGOMERY, March 7, 1861. His Excellency Governor PERRY, Tallahassee, Pta.: The powder at the Pensacola yard is insecure. Have you any objec- tion to its removal by the Secretary of War to Mount Vernon or other place of safety? The munitions of war there have not been turned over to the Confederacy. 11.11 S. R. MALLORY Page 24 24 SW~ VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GK [CIIAP.LXIV. MONTGOMERY, March 7, 1861. General BRAXTON BRAGG, New Oricans: I propose to nominate you brigadier-general of Provisional Army, if you [will] accept. If you do, proceed at once to Peiisacola to take com- mand, where your orders will bc Prwarded. Answer. L. P. WALKER, [1.] ______ Secretary of War. MONTGOMERY, March 7, 1861. Col. W. J. HARDEE, Savannah, Ga.: You are appointed colonel First Regiment of Infantry in Confederate Army; your command at Mobile. If you can, muster in company for twelve months under bill just l)assed not requiring tender or consent of State. Answer. L. P. WALKER, [1.] Secretary of War. MONTGOMERY, March 7, 1861. (Jol. WILLiAM II. CHAsE, Pensacola, Fia.: I propose to nominate you brigadier-general of the Provisional Army, if you ~vill accept. If you do, proceed at once to command of the Mississippi below New Orleans, to which place your orders will be for- xvarded. Answer. L. P. WALKER, [1.] Secretary of War. NEW ORLEANS, March 8, 1861. L. P. WALKER: My health is too precarious to admit of active duties of coinmaiid; I suffer from bronchial disease. 1 therelbre decline the appointment of brigadier-general. W. II. CIIASE. [1.] SPECIAL ORDERS, WAR DEPT., ADJT. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 2. Montgorncry, Ala., March 8, 1861. Capt. Robert C. Wood is assigned to duty as assistant adjutant- general with the command of Brig. Gen. Braxton Rrao,g, at and near Pensacola, Fla., to whom he will l)roceed and report without delay. By command of the Secretary of War: GEORGE 1)EAS, [1.] Acting Adjutant- General. ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERALS OFFICE, Montgomery, March 8, 1861. Col. JOHN B. TODD, Jfobile: COLONEL: Your report of the companies turned over by you as the commander of Fort Morgan, under date of the 2d instant, has bee Page 25 Cnzp. Lxiv.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 25 received. For the assurance given by you of the readiness of the regi- ment under your command to re-enforce Fort Morgan in case of attack, the Governor desires me to express to you his thanks. The Governor also instructs inc to convey to .you, and through you to the call volun- teers lately under your command, the assurance of his high gratifica- tion at the promptness with which they responded to his call, and the thanks of the State foi the efficient service they have rendered. I have the honor to be, & c., your obedient servant, GEG. GOLDTHWAITE, [1.] Acting Adjutant and Inspector General. GENERAL ORDERS, ~ IIDQRS. ARMY OF THE Mississippi, * No.1. 5 Jackson, Miss., March 12, 1861. 1. The undersigned hereby assumes command of the Mississippi Army. All matters relating in any manner to its organization, arm- ing; equipping, or discipline will, until further orders, be referred direct to these headquarters, and will be addressed to the chief of the staff department, to which such matters may appropriately belong, viz: Organization, discipline, rules of service, reports, and all general sub- jects will be referred to the adjutant-general; clothing, camp and gar- rison equipage, transportation and general supplies will be referred to the quartermaster-general; arms, accouterments, ammunition, ord- nance, stores, & c., to the chief of ordnance. (See Army Regulations, adopted temporarily by the Board.) II. The following appointments and elections have been made accord- ing to law, and are hereby announced to the division, viz: 1. Richard Griffith to be brigadier-general, vice Van Dorn, appointed major-general. 2. Beverly Matthews to be adjutant and inspector general, vice Grif- fith, appointed brigadier-general. 3. William Barksdale to be quartermaster-general. 4. Samuel G. French to be chief of ordnance. 5. P. F. Liddell to be first assistant adjutant-general. 6. II. II. Miller to be second assistant adjutant-general. 7. J. N. l)avis to be third assistant adjutant-general. 8. John MeGuirk to be fourth assistant adjntant-ccneral. 9. Melanethon Smith to be fifth assistant adjutant-general. III. The adjutant-general, quartermaster-general, and the chief of ordnance having reported in person to these headquarters~ are assigned to duty, and will receive special instructions. All oflicial letters relating to matters in their respective departments will hereafter be addressed to them. IV. Captains of companies that have been mustered into service will be allowed to receive a sufficient number of men for their own coin- panics to make the total strength, rank and file, 100. V. Whenever a company is mustered into service its captain will at once make a requisition for arms, ammunition, and accouterments upon the chief of ordnance; clothing, camp and garrison equipage will not be issued until the troops are called out to take the field for active service. VI. Accouterments and ammunition for small-arms and batteries of artillery are beiiig prepared, and will be issued to companies in the order of their organization an(1 tender of service. Captaiiis will not issue ammunition to their companies until they are called into active service Page 26 2(3 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. VII. Company commanders will make a report at once of the number and condition of all public arms and accouterments in the possession of their companies, accompanied by a requisition to cover deficiencies. Captains of those companies that have supplied themselves with arms and accouterments at their own expensewill also make similar reports, that ammunition may be prepared for their future use. They will also state what uniform, if any, tl)ey have adopted. Viii. Company comman(lers will muster their companies every t~vo months, commencing the last (lay of April next, transmitting one copy of the muster-roll to the adjutant-genera]. Monthly company returns will be made on the 1st (lay of every month to the adjutant oC the regi- mnent. Until further orders one of these returns will be made direct to these headquarters. (See Army Regulations.) IX. It is earnestly enjoined upon all the officers of the division to seize every opportunity to instruct themselves and their commands iu all things that may tend to give them efficiency in the field, in the march, in camp, or in battle. - EARL VAN DORN, [1.] Major-General, Mississijppi Army. WAR l)EPARTMENT, C. S. A., BLANTON DuNCAN, Montgomery, March 13, 1861. Louisville, IiTy.: Sun: Your letter of the 6th instant desiriiig to know whether or not this Government will receive into its service a regiment of Kentuckians commanded by you, or by some gentleman un(ler whom you would be willing to serve as lieutenant-colonel, has just been transferred to this Department by Attorney-General Beqjamn in, to whom it was addressed. Should it be ordained that the (lifferemmees now existing between the Confederate States of America and time Federal Government are to be determined by the stern arbitrament of the sword, and could the nec essary arrangemnents be eft~cted without disturbing the friendly rela- tions between your State and this Government, the latter would unhes- itatingly and cheerfully avail itself of the services of yourself and the gallant Kentuckians whom you propose to command, and do so, too, in the manner indicated by you) but until this question of war is fully set- tled it is impossible for me to give a more definite answer to your patri- otic 1)roposition. I am, sir, with much respect, your obedient servant, L. P. WALKER, [4.] Secretary of War. A. R. WRIGHY, MONTGOMERY, March 16, 1861. Atlanta, Ga.: Capt. Ci. W. Lees company will be received and mustered into service at Pensacola, to which place they will proceed. Transportation will be settled here. L. P. WALKER. [1. Page 27 CHAP. LXlV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 27 SPECIAL ORDERS, WAR DEPT., ADJT. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 4. 5 Montgomery, March 18, 1861. I. Col. William J. ilardee, of the First Regiment of Infantry, is assigned to the command of Fort Morgan, Ala., to which he will proceed without delay. II. The following officers are assigned to duty at Fort Morgan, Ala., whither they will repair without delay and report to Colonel Hardee, the commanding officer, viz: First Lieut. Francis A. Shoup and First Lient. Charles P. Ball, of the corps of artillery. By command of the Secretary of War: S. COOPER, [1.] Adjutant- General. WASIIINCI2ON, D. C., March 20, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War, Montgomery, Ala.: M~ DEAR SIR: Several gentlemen not connected with the Govern- ment, but wlio are in the way of getting reliable intelligence, and whom I have always found better informed than any one of my acquaintance, tell me to-day that they have information which satisfied them the Government here means to re-enforce Fort Pickemis. These gentlemen have iiot confided to me their sources of informati6n, but 1 have the highest confidence in their facilities for getting information, and I attach great weight to what they tell me. Their belief is that the re-enforcement will take place soon. I ani aware that there is an engagement to the contrary on the part of this Government, but I do not place any reliance on their promises. They will find some excuse for a violation of the stipulation. I feel very sui-e they would not hesitate to make all ready to throw in troops at the very hour of the expiration of the time during which they may have bound themselves not to re-enforce. I am inclined to think the Texas troops will be sent to a point whence they can be conveniently and speedily sent to Pen- sacola, and so, too, the New York vessels which lately sailed with Gov- eminent troops on board. It is idle to suppose all those troops were intended for the Tortugas and Key West forts. One of the possible steps of this Governmemmt may be to direct vessels at sea with troops to make the harbor of Pensacola by a given night and land men and mnuni- tions at Fort Pickens. I have conversed briefly with Mr. Crawford to-day, and mentioned to him what I had learned. He evidently relies more on the faith of this Administration than I do, but told me he should request Mr. Forsyth to incorporate the matter in his dispatch to-night. I beg to make this suggestion: When the first step of occupying Fort Pickens was taken by the United States the orders were sent down by a special messenger and also by a telegraph in cipher. The telegraph lelt here in the night, and was stopped at Mobile or Montgomery by our friends. I gave the fact early next day to the Florida delegation, but the special messenger went through, delivered his message to Lieu- tenant Slemmer, and thus we lost Fort Pickens. It seems to me this teaches an obvious precautionto ent off all communication of every description between the U. S. troops and ships and the shore. No one should be suffered to pass our lines. By this mode the Govern- ment would have to make its moves for re-enforcement in such a mode as possibly to admit of their being checked imi season. I have the honor to remain, very truly, yours, [1.1 L. Q. WASHINGTON Page 28 28 SW. VA., KY., TENTh, MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. rCHAP.LXTV. J. W. ZACHARIE, MONTGOMERY, March 20, 1861. New Orlean8: I am requested by the Secretary of War to request you to furnish transportation immediately for as many of the Louisiana Zonaves as are ready to leave forthwith for Pensacola. The funds are in the hands of Capt. John M. Gait, now on his way to New Orleans, and he will pay you any advance you may have to make. If Col. A. C. Myers is in New Orleans you need not act, but transfer this (lispatch to him to be executed. The Secretary of War sends dispatch to Colonel Myers, but is not sure that lie is in New Orleans. Act in stantly. J. P. RENJAMIN. [1.] TALLAhASSEE, March 22, 1861. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War: I will send the regiment to Pensacola as soon as possible. Do you expect me to arm them 0? Respectfully, A. S. PEJiLY. [1.] NEW YORK, March 28, 1861. J. 11. HARRIS, Esq.: M~ DEAR SIR: A shipowner, who owns ships in our lines, and who is a shipbuilder and J)erfectly reliable in every way, has a new vessel which he has just loaned fbr the Government to take building materials to the Government works, Tortugas, informs us that an agent of the Government tol(l him he wished to charter another vessel to take arms and ammunition to Pensacola, an(l offered to guarantee the safety of the vessel under convoy. This builder owns in brig General Bailey one-eighth interest, I believe, and lie wanted to know what we thought of chartering that vessel. We of course replied nO, on no terms. My object in writing you is that you may give notice, if you choose to do so, of the intentions of the sly Government rascals to re-enforce Fort Pickens. This you can do, as you know the information I give you is true. I feel uneasy, seeing the Government is willing to plunge the country in civil war and will take any underhanded means on the sly. IC you had Fort Pickens I should feel easier, and fear the longer the effort to take it is postponed the more dangerous and difficult it will be; and still I would rather not advise an attack, but wait, for they have to back down in the end and acknowledge the Southern Confederacy. J. L. S[MALLWOOD]. [1.] MONTGOMERY March 2~ 18 Governor A. S. PERRY, 61. Tallahassee, Pla Would be very glad if you can arm the troops without delay. Their early presence at Pensacola greatly desired. L. P. WALKETI. [1. Page 29 CHAP. LXIV.) CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 29 TALLAHASSEE, FLA., March 23, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War: SIR: I can arm the regiment with U. S. muskets, ~ lock, or with Maynard rifles, 150 Mississippi rifles inclusive. Which do you prefer? 1.1 M. S. PERRY. MoNTGoiuEuY, March 21, idGi. Governor M. S. PERRY, Tallahassee, lAla.: Ann with U. S. muskets, percussion caps. L. P. WALKER. ~1.] KEY WEST, FLA., March 25, 1861. JEFFERSON DAVIS, President Confederate States of America: HONORED SIR: Deeming it the duty of every true Southern man who possesses information which may be of importance to the weltare of our country, I take the liberty of informing you that the steam-ship Daniel Webster arrivcd here with 300 U. S. regular troops from Texas this evening, in transit to New York, as I am informed. After landing a quantity of artillery and sundries and taking in coal, she is to proceed North, 1 learii, in a few hours. The steam-ship General Rusk arrived from indianola also with 400 regulars, which have been all landed at Fort Jeffersdn, Tortugas, and Fort Taylor, at this place, as I am further informed, to remain as re-enforceiflents at these points. The Daniel Webster on her passage out brollght sixty-eight men to Fort Taylor and thirty-two to Fort Jefferson, together with a large quantity of mili- tary stores and provisions. I saw twenty hogsheads West India mnolas- ses and 100 barrels of flour, together with a proportionate amuoutit of other stores, myself~among the articles l~nded. 1 am further informed from what I deem good authority that the United States Government have recently appropriated $150,000 to each of those forts for the pur- pose of continuing the work on them, and, as it appears to me from all I can learn, with the view of holding theni for a long time. As near as I can ascertain theme were only about 150 men, rank and file, iii Fort Taylor previous to the arrival of these last-named re-euforcements. The field pieces are to be placed in this fort, it is said, to strengthen the armament. I have the honor to subscribe myself, your obedient servant and fellow-citizen, W. H. HUTCHINGS, Commanding Mail Steamer Atlantic, of New Orleans. P. S.Since writing the above an agent of the Government, James Filor, U. S. naval store-keeper, tried to get me to name a price at which I would take 200 or 300 barrels of provisions from this place and deliver them to the U. S. squadron oft Pensacola. I told him the Governineiit of the United States had not money enough to induce me to commit a Page 30 30 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. act of treason, which I consider it. The U. S. steamer Crusader is coaling here, an(l I understand will be dispatched with these supplies. These are certainly singular peace measures, truly. W. H. II. 11. L. P. WALKER: JACKSON, Miss., March 25, 1861. Mississippi troops will probably arrive in Mobile on the 28th or 29th. Is it desired that arms, ammunition, and camp equipage should be sent~ I much regret the unavoidable delays. JOHN J. PETTUS. [1.] COMMANDANTS OFFICE, NAVY-YARD, I3rig. Gen. I3RAXTON iI3RAGG, Warringlon, March 25, 1861. Commanding Forces near Pensacola: SIR: I have been directed by the honorable Secretary of the Navy of the Confederate States to assume the command of this yard, and to render you a~1y aid in my power to carry out the military operations Row in progress. It will afford me great pleasure to co-operate with you, and to (10 all in [my] power to aid iu the cause in which we are both engaged. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, D. N. INGRAHAM, [1.] Commandant. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Tallahassee, [Mareh] 26, 1861. Hon. E. P. WALKER: The regiment will arrive at Columbus by 6 a. m. on the 7th of April. Can you arrange for transportation, & c., from that point to Pensaeola~i Respectfully, [1.] M. S. PERRY. MILLEDGEV1LLE, March 26, 1861. Hon. I~. P. WALKER: We find we cannot get Captains Sn~iths and Aderhold~s companies ready before Tuesday. We will muster all in at one time. Please withhold orders for them. JOSEPH E. BROWN. [lj FORT Mok~AN ifareh 28 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER Secretary of War: M~ DEAR SIR: If you wish that your Alabama volunteers in ~, the event of war, should hot disgrace themselves and the Confederacy, you must send me more officers. The material is good, but officers and me Page 31 CHAP. LXIY.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 31 are deplorably ignorant. I am doing all in my power to instruct and discipline them, but wliere so much is to be done, one person, however zealous, can do but little. I want officers to instruct both in artillery and infantry. I have instituted a regular course of instruction for the officers and non-commissioned officers of the Confederate Army, but am embarrassed for the want of ]listructors. You coul(1 not do better than to make my friend Maj. William ID. Smith, ot the Georgia army, a major of artillery, and send him to me as an iiistructor of artillery. I should be glad to have him. He is a zealous, hard-working man, and full of intelligence. You promised to sen(I rue Lieutenant Ball and Captain White, but neither has made his appearance. I am sure you will do all in your power to aid me in making this fort defensible. I should dislike to light this command in its present condition; indeed, I should not like to see the face of an eliemy for three months. With best wishes for your success, truly, your friend, [1.] W. J. HARDEE. Hon. L. P. WALKER: JACI(SoN, March 28, 1861. Troops on the way to Mobile. Arrive there to-night and to-morrow. Should the President need two more regiments they will be ready at the shdrtest notice. JOHN J. PETT [IS. [1.] MONTGOMERY ilfa General BRAXTON BRAGG, , rch 29, 1861. Pensacola: Your communication of the 27th received. Do you propose or prefer an increase of force beyond the ~i,OOO ordered, and to what extent l S. COOPER, [1.] Adjutant- General. Hon. L. P. WALKER, LOUISVILLE, March 29, 1861. AS~ecretary of War: DEAR SIR: When I wrote to Mr. Benjamin in regard to the regi- mnent of Kentuckians, I desired the position of colonel to be left vacant in order that some regular army officer, thoroughly proficient in his pr6fession, should be hereafter selected for that position. I presume, of course, that such was your expectation, as an officer of such a high grade and next to your highest position ought not to be placed in such an important command unless perfectly competent. Though possess- ing considerable theoretical knowledge, I would not think of incurring such a responsibility myself. My object in writing to you is to get your official views upon this subject. After your letter was received, an(l during my absence attending the Southern Rights Convention, some of the officers who desired to enter into your army held a meeting and, without consultation with me upon the su1~ject, selected a gentle. man as colonel and informed him by letter of the fact. This gentle- man, though brave and chivalric, has no conception whatever of military tactics, and could not direct his command to go through with the simplest evolutions, though he could lead a charge, perhaps, a Page 32 32 SWJVA., RL, TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. well as any man in the State. He could not certainly pass your board of examiners for a secon(l lieutenants commission. Upon coming home I refused to sanction their action, as I did not consider it what I had offered to your Government, and made them rescind it. I tell them to complete the regiment and then let all the men and officers select the colonel and before that election occurs I would like to have your official views, in order to secure for your service the best officer it is possible to get. I had in view Colonel Alexander, Major Alexander, or Major Anderson, if all or either should resign as soon as hostilities are evident, which of course I trust sincerely may never occur. Either of them I am satisfied would in such an event gladly accept the coin- mand of 1,000 Kentuckians in your service. Another point also requires some explanation. According to our military laws we have two majors to the regiment, each in command of five companies. As your service indicates but one major, what must be doiie in regard to it~ From all indications that I have had from Various counties, Ii have no doubt that you would receive offers of several regiments within a week after a collision occurred. According to our laws a company organ- izes as soon as forty men are enrolled. I have directed gentlemen to organize as soon as that number is enrolled, and they can go on after- ward to perfect their (Irill and fill up the company. I do that in order to get the skeleton of the second battalion made up as quickly as possible. The first is already organized, and will select its major in a few days. All indications at present seem favorable to a continuance of peace until Mr. Lincoln can convene his Congress and get power with which to attack you. That he means to do so eventually is evi- dent from his appointment of a .judge in your State. I shall go on to perfect the regiment in order to move at a moments notice, but do not expect to be called upon this summer. I shall amuse myself canvass- ing the State, and feel a strong confidence in our ability to carry it in August. If we do, we shall join you about the 1st of January. Very truly, [~1 I3LANTON DUNCAN. L. P. YPALKER: MoBILE, March 29, 1861. Two regiments Mississippi Volunteers are ou march to this l)lace by order of Governor of Mississippi. The nu~iiber of rank and file not yet reported, but estimated at 1,7(10. Eight companies of them are here; the whole under my colflman(l until organize(l and mustered into service of the Conf~derate States. Very respectfully, & c., CHAS. CLARK, [1.] Major- (Thneral of Army (f Mississippi. MONTGOMERY, March 29, 1861. Maj. Gen. CHARLES CLARK, Army of Mississippi, Mobile, Ala.: The Mississippi troops can be organized into regiments before leaving Mobile or after reaching Pensacola, as you prefer. Let this be done however, before they are mustered into service. This muster will take place at Pensacola, but transportation is provi(le(l for them from Mobile, without reference to their being mustered into service. [1.j L. I~. WALKER Page 33 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 33 QuiNcy, April 1, 1861. Capt. J. L. WHITE, or Hon. B. BAKER, Montgomery, Ala.: GENTLEMEN: I wrote you per last mail inclosing letter from J. L. Smaliwood. Since then I have received the inclosed one from him which I deem it proper to likewise inclose to you, thinking it may con- tribute something toward keeping you posted. Yours, truly, J. It. HARRIS. Our soldiers for Pensacola take steamers at Chattahoochee on Friday next at 12 In. Apalachicola company, 50 to 55; Jacks on company, 50 to 55; Young Guard (Gadsden), 60 to 65; two companies (Leon), liOto 120; one company (Jefferson), 50 to 55; one company (Madison), 50 to 55: two companies (Alachna), 100. Those farther west will march through. [Inclo~ure.] NEW YoRK March 2~ 1861. J. It. HARRIs ,Esq.: M~ DEAR SIR: I wrote you Saturday about the move of the Gov- ermnent respecting transferring munitions to Pensacola. Since then we have learned from a Government officer here that they had written on to Washington for further instructions, and that they had aban- doned the idea. The plan was to land the supplies on Santa Rosa Inlet, but they find a fortification thrown up by the seceders which defeats that plan of operation, and hence they have to abandon the project, and I see no way for them open but to recognize the Southern Confederacy. They will have to do it, and I should hot be surprised if New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and perhaps the Western States unite with the South in the end, in making a reconstruction of the Union. They seem to let everything go by default. The new tariff is a poser, and will help to get the new Confederacy acknowledged by foreign Governments. In short, before the old Government wakes up to the real l)Osition they will have lost the power of reconstructing. This is my idea. I would like to see Uncle Abe and his Cabinet run out of Washington, and that will be if they attempt coercion in any way. I will let you know if there is any new move. I feel satisfied the first information sent you will not be carried out. Yours, ingreathaste, J. L. SMALLWOOD. [1.] WAR DEPT., ADJT. AND INSP. GENERALS OFFICE, Montgomery, April 3, 1861. Col. W. J. JIARDEE, Commanding Port Morgan: SIR: The views expressed in your communication of the 28th ultimo in regard to the strength of your command are entirely approved by the Secretary of War. Should you at any time have a force larger than may be necessary for the defense of Fort Morgan the overplus 3 R RVOL LII, PT I Page 34 34 SW. YA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. (Cnip.LXIV. may be transferred to Pensacola, giving the preference to the compa- iiies of Capts. J. G. Coltart and S. A. M. Wood, should they prefer such transfer. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, S. COOPER, [1.] Adjutant and Inspector General. ADJUTANT AND iNSPECTOR GENERALS OFFICE, Montgomery, April 3, 1861. [General DUFF C. GREEN :.J GENERAL: The receipt of your two favors of the 30th ultimo are acknowledged, as also your telegram as to the actiou of General Clem- ens on Special Orders, No. 140. I hope and trust we shall get through the Fort Morgan business safely, and that in a few days the Confeder- acy will have charge of every man, woman, and child at that post and Pensacola. You need not for the present increase your supply of clothing. The Governor has not determined what is to be done with the sugar and coffee at this place. It will most probably be turned over to the C. S. quartermaster, and if wanted at Mobile he will send it to that point. The 107 balls were shipped by the Governor, and he has paid the freight. The Confederacy, however, should pay the freight on everything shipped on requisition of its officers. As to receipting Colonel Echols, as per invoice on original weight, the Governor directs me to say that you wiJl receipt only for the amount and at the weight you actually receive. I intended to say as iunch in my letter of 28th ultimo, to which you will please refer. The corn in Mobile, the Governor is advised, will be taken by the Confederacy. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. GOLDTHWAITE, [1.] Adjutant and Inspector General. QUINCY, April 3, 1861. SECRETARY OF WAR: About 580 men, with regimental organization, will leave Chattahoo- chee on the night of the 5th for Columbus, where transportation and subsistence are expected. T. W. BREVARD, [1.] Adjutant- General of Florida. MOBILE, ALA., April 4, 1861. [SECRETARY OF WAR:] DEAR SIR: I received your dispatch this morning. I would go at once to Arkansas if I could see how I could be spared from Alabama. It seems to me that everything in the military line in our State which I have not done myself has been done wrong. I am now just where I can see my way clearly through, and T am afraid to trust it to other hands. Wheim I get the 2,000 men for whoum you have made a requisi- tion properly turned over, I will cheerfully go to Arkansas. Indeed, I suppose that will be time enough, as the election does not take place until the 3d of August Page 35 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 35 Colonel Hardee has now at Fort Morgan nine full companies of vol- unteers and forty-six men of another company, which will be filled up in two or three days. It could be filled np here in an hour, but the captain prefers men from the interior. When it is filled Colonel Hardee will have about 800 men. I have written to the Governor suggesting that this deficiency be supplied by two companies of regular troops from Mount Vernon. I have intimated to him also that the public service would not suffer by allowing me to designate the officers who shall command them. The officers, I am advised, of snch companies of three- years men as are transferred to you do not become a part of the regu- lar army of the Confederacy, but hold their commissions only so long as you think proper to retain the men. If, however, you have occasion to increase your regular force and new officers have to be appointed, I suppose any service they have already rendered will be placed to their credit, and, other things being equal, that you will give them a prefer. ence. The regular troops already recruited are all that we shall be likely to need, and the Governor has issued orders to stop recruiting. This will make it necessary for him to dismiss all the officers he has appointed except such as go with the men. You can do the State and the Confederacy some service by urging him to allow me to select those who do go. I have no personal preference among them, and will there- fore take them with an eye single to their qualifications, and it is nO disparagemeut of the Governor to say that I am a better judge of those qualifications than he is; besides, it will relieve him of a responsibility of which he ought to be glad to get rid. Do not fail to see him upon the subject as soou as you can. Lane has accepted the judgeship. I suppose he calculated the value of his neck before he did it. Of the 500 men now here from North Alabama there are not five who would not rejoice at receiving an order to hang him. His acceptance is treason, though perhaps not technically so and not legally punishable. But the Congress which meets in May can remedy that matter, and if th~y fail I know another remedy whose application is not a matter of doubt. Colonel ilardees command is now in a condition to be easily man- aged, and I left him yesterday in a better temper than he has been for some time. I will continue to arrange everything as near as I caii to his wishes. He is one of the best officers in America, and I want him to have a fair chance. I leave here to-morrow for.Monnt Vernon, and as soon as I can get through at that point I will go to Montgomery. Very truly and respectfully, yours, & c., JERE. CLEMENS. I say nothing of the condition of the works at Fort Morgan, as I sup- pose Colonel Hardee keeps you fully advised. [1.] WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Montgomery, April 5, 1861. Col. BLANTON DUNCAN Louisville, Ky.: SIR: The Secretary of War instructs me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 29th ultimo, aIld to saythat a copy of the act for public defense passed by the Congress of the Confederate States, and under which your regiment might be received in case of actual war, will be forwarded to you at an early day. To this act he begs to refe Page 36 36 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. you, as containing all the information which it is now in his power to give. The Secretary further instructs me to suggest that you will readily see that as the act referred to provides for a contingency which has not yet occurred, and which may possibly never occur, it is hardly necessary ~n advance to do more than cite you to its provisions, with the remark that all troops raised under them must be mustered in and officered in strict accordance thereto. In the event that the condition of affairs shall require the services of the regiment you represent, and which has been so gallantly tendered, the Secretary of War will specif- ically advise you as to points of difficulty, if any, in the construction of act mentioned. Respectfully, your obedient servant. J. J. 1100 PER, ~4.J Prirate Secretary. MONTGOMERY, April 6, 1861. General BRAGG, 1~ensacola: Answer my dispatch of last night fully.* L. P. WALKER. [1.] NASHVILLE, April 6, 1861. lion. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War, C. S. A.: DEAR SIR: I had intended to be in Montgomery before this, but the absence of Mr. Trousdale and sickness hi my family have prevented my leaving home. I have desired to confer with your Department for the purpose of ascertaining what you thought best to be done by those of us in Tennessee who are willing to pledge to the cause of the Southern Confederacy in the event of war ~ our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor. If I understand correctly your acts of Congress, neither com- panies, battalions, nor regiments could be received from this State unless they become a part of your regular army. As a matter of course we would much prefer to serve as volunteers. As we cannot be received into your Provisional Army, and as we do notedesire to enlist as regu- ~ except as a dernier resort, I presume we could, by paying our own way, be permitted to place ourselves in an emergency under the com- mand of your general officers, and at least be allowed to guard the bag- gage. If war occurs, and I do not think it can be avoi(led, how can we best promote your, or rather our, cause ~ For it is the cause of the whole South. Several plans have suggested themselves to me. One is to raise the standard of rebellion against Lincolns Government here in Nashville, and at once issue a call for those Tennesseeans who are will- ing to act with us to assemble armed and equipped. Another is to issue such a call for Tennesseeans to assemble at Dalton, Ga., Steven- son, Ala., or some other point in the Confederate States, and there await orders from your Department. Bearing no commission from your Gov- ernment, I should have to make such call upon my individual responsi- bility, relying upon the patriotic impulses of the Tennessee secessionists, and they relying upon what they know of me to find a place where they may be serviceable. It is certainly time that such things as these should be thought of and some plan of action determined upon, so as to insure *See Walker to Bragg, April 5, and Bragg to Walker, April 6, Vol. I, p. 456 Page 37 CHAP. LXTV.l CO1~RESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDEI?ATE. 37 concert of ~iction. About matters of this character I should like to talk with you, and intend to visit Montgomery in ten days or two weeks. If, however, you deem it safe and proper earlier than that to give me any suggestions, I shall be glad to hear from you. I presume a plan of the campaign has beemi determined upon by your Government in the event of a collision. To assist in carrying out that plan is my desire. I should like to go more into detail, but prefer to wait until 1 can see you. Yours, respeetbully, [4.J JNO. C. BURCH. WASHINGTON CITY, April 6, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER, & cretary of War, Montgomery, Ala.: DEAR Siu: I wrote yoa on the 4th instant by Adams & Co.s Express, expressing the opinion that the policy of this Government was hostile. The military movements since leave no doubt in my mind as to this. You have ~)robably got ere this ami account of the formi- dable armament preparing at New York. They have 2,600 troops ready to start, and nearly every available ship in the Navy has been ordered to prepare for service. Three batteries of flying artillery have left this place for New York. Yesterday they sent on from the navy-yard here to New York a large quantity of shells aiind military stores; also six mounted howitzers for field service. I think they are looking not merely to blockades, defenses of forts, & c., but to a land engagement, alI(l that the field artillery is destined for this service. Although it is rumored that the expedition is for San Domingo, to repel Ainpudias invasion, Key West, & c., yet the opinion of the best informed men here is that Pensacola is the point menaced. I have no doubt that it is one of the points to be struck at, but I cannot shake off my mind the belief that they have some plan to re-enforce Sumter by means of a combined movement by sea and by land, taking Beauregards batteries in rear with infantry and field artillery, & c., while their ships press up the bay. It is also believed by many that it is the intention to block- ade the mouth of the Mississippi. A large imumber of carpenters were hastily impressed by the Government some days ago, and told they would be wanted for thirty to sixty days service, and that they would learn their destination at New York. All the talk of the Republicans here, the tone of their journals, and every step of the Government indicate that a war policy has been determined on. I take it for granted that you have lost no time in getting ready for this state of things. rilme first news of a conflict will precipitate secession by Vir- ginia. I hope ere it happens the rascally convention will have adjourned, so that it can be done by popular action, and thus get rid of the con- vention and the Union together. Very truly, yours, [1.] L. Q. WASHINGTON. ADJT. AND INsP. GEN.S OFFICE, STATE OF ALABAMA, Montgomery, April 6, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER, & cretary of War: SIR: A dispatch has been received at this office from Capt. M. Smith. the ordnance officer of Alabama, iii command of the arsenal at Mount Vernon, to the effect that Captain White, of the Confederate Army Page 38 38 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. has arrived, with orders to relieve him from his command, and request- ing instructions. Orders will be transmitted to Captain Smith to turn over to Captain White the arsenal, with all the arms and munitions of war, taking a receipt for the same, in conformity with the provisions of the State ordinance of March 9, 1861. The Governor instructs me to bring to your notice that since the acquisition of Mount Vernon it has been nsed by the State as a general depot and school of instruction for recruits, of which there are now near 500 at that point, who are wholly dependent npon the arsenal for the arms, & c., necessary for their instruction and discipline; that to disband or withdraw the recruits at this time would be highly detrimental to the interests of the StaAte, while their occupation for the short time they will probably remain will not impair the capacities or efficiency ot the post as an arsenal. his Excellency, therefore, requests that the recruits, with the officers, may be permitted to remain until other arrangements can be made, retaining such arms, & c., as may be required for the purposes referred to, and that orders may be given accordingly. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. GOLDTIIWAJTE, 4.] Adjutant and Inspector General of Alabama. WAR DEPT., ADJT. AND JNSP. GENERALS OFFIcE, Montgomery, April 8, 1861. Capt. JAMEs L. WHITE, Corps of Artillery, Mount Vernon Arsenal: SIR: Your communication of the 4th instant has been received. Jn reply I have to say that the enlisted men now at the arsenal, and who are required to fill the contingent at Fort Morgan, will in all probabil- ity be organized during the present week. As soon as thi8 is done the recruits enlisted up to the 28th of February last will be transferred to the Provisional Government, after which the recruits enlisted by Cap- tains Gee and Loomis subsequent to that date will be organized into volunteer companies, and the commissioned officers duly elected. As soon as the organization of the volunteer companies is effected you will proceed to recruit for the regular army of the Confederate States such of the men enlisted by the State of Alabama as may not go with the provisional forces or be organized into volunteer companies, the num- ber of which is estimated to be about 200, these to be retained at the arsenal and to be provided with arms. You will not disclose the pur- pose to enlist the balance of the men until the arrival of Captains Gee and Loomis. Herewith I inclose you copies of two letters from the adjutant-general of the State of Alabama and one from the honorable Secretary of War, from which you will perceive that Captain Smith has beeii directed to turn over to you the command of Mount Vernon Arsenal. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. COOPER, [1.] Adjutant and Inspector General. MONTGOMERY, April 8, 1861. Governor JosEPH E. BROWN, Macon, Ga.: The news from Washington to-day justifies me in telegraphing for Captain Hills company of artillery at Athens, intended for Pensacola Page 39 AJAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 39 aiid hope you will add your request to mine for their immediate depar- ture. Transportation will be provided from there. Please forward your troops as fast as possible. L. P. WALKEIR. [1.] MILLEDGEVILLE, April 8, 1861. L. P. WALKER: Captain Hill resigned and is now in one of the regular regiments of the State. The company is not well organized at present. Asked for cannon and to give up their cannon a few days since; still have the cannononly have three guns. Capt. T. L. Coopers company, of Atlanta, has three guns, and Captain Girardey, of Augusta, six guns. After this statement will telegraph to Athens if you wish. JOSEPH F BIROWN. [1.1 MONTGOMERY, April 8, 1861. Capt. A. A. FRANKLIN HILL, Athens, Ga.: Will accept your company of artillery for service at Pensacola, and wish them to proceed at once. Transportation will be furnished. Answer. L. P. WALKER. [1.] MONTGOMERY, April 8, 1861. Governor MOORE, Baton Rouge, La.: The news from Washington makes it indispensable to have the forces called for from our State sent to Pensacola without further delay. if you cannot comply with the call immediately without calling for vohuin- teers, it is your duty to appeal to volunteers forthwith. J. P. BENJAMTN. Fl.] MOBILE, ALA., A 8, 1861. His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS: DEAR SIR: I leave for home to-morrow. Before I leave I could not avoid the temptation of saying my fears are that the Government at Washington are not making those large preparations to attack Fort Pickens, but New Orleans. if so, it strikes me they could do us much (lalliage. Excuse me, I have no doubt you are fully informed about all our weak points. I have the greatest confidence in you as a general and a statesman. I am sure there is no man who wishes you more success than I do. I have no wish for office for myself or friends. You know I have been wholly given to my own affivirs. With the highest respect, I am, dear sir, your friend and humble servant, THOS, G, BLEWETT. [1. Page 40 40 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. Governor J. J. PETTUS, MONTGOMERY, April 8, 1861. Jackson, Miss: The artillery company of Jackson, of which R. II. Purdoin is lieuten- ant; the artillery company of Vieksburg, of which F. S. Tull is captaiii, and the artillery company at Natchez, of which William S. Lovell is cal)tain, are needed at once at Pensacola. Give them orders and let me know the result. There is work for them. L. P. WALKER. [1.] WAR DEPARTMENT, Col. A. C. MYERS, ]Jliontgornery, April 10, 1861. Acting Quartermaster- General: DEAR SIR: I wish you to direct McConnell, in Mobile, to ascertain whether transportation by land can be provided between Mobile and Pensacola. This inqniry must embrace transportation of troops, sub- sistence, men, & c. Direct his attention to hiring wagons and buying them, as to which is the cheapest, and whether either or both can be done in sufficient numbers to answer our necessities. You will direct him tQ state prices and terms, so that the question can be determined here, and that no time may be lost. You must require him to do this without delay. Very respectfully, L. P. WALKER. [1.] WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Brig. Gen. BRAXTON BRAGG, Montgomery, April 10, 1861. Pensacola~, lila.: SIR: This letter will be handed you by Maj. II. L. Clay, by whom this Department transmits to you the sum of $40,000, to be used by you in your operations in the harbor of Pensacola, and especially for the enabling of this Government to obtain the possession ot Fort Pickens. In the disbursement of this money you will be guided by a wise discre- tion and your knowledge of the fort and its garrison. Respectfully, your obedient servant, L. P. WALKER. [1.1 WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Montgomery, April 10, 1861. his Excellency JOSEPH E. BROWN, Milledgevilte, Ga.: SIR: Having observed in the newspapers allusions to a transfer, by ordinance of the convention of Georgia, of the forts, arsenals, ordnance stores, & c., within your State, I take the liberty of addressing you on the subject, for the purpose of being officially assured of the fact, if it be so, and also of suggesting to Your Excellency, if the fact be as I sup- ~osc~ that it will be really l)lOniotive ot the pul)lic interests if Your J~xccllency can with vropriety advise this Department as to the tim Page 41 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPON1)ENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 41 when the authorities of Georgia will be prepared to turn over the prop- erty mentioned to the Confederate States and in making this request I beg Your Excellency to understand that I am actuated only by the desire to be prepared at the earliest moment at which Your Excellency can perfect the transfer to take possession of the forts and arsenals, and to make the other property as useful as possible for defense. The present emergency makes it absolutely necessary for this Government to arrange and distribute its forces and resources so as to make them all available, and in that necessity Your Excellency will at once see the reason for the inquiry I have made. Whenever Georgia, acting on Your Excellencys views of propriety and State interest, shall be ready to make the transfer to the Confederacy, it is the wish of this Depart- ment to have its appointments made for the occupationof the fort and arsenal without loss of time. A notification iii advance as to the time when it will suit the State authorities to make the transfer will enable the Department to make these arrangements advantageously, and I trust I shall not be understood as going beyond a request for such notification, or of designing to interfere with or affect in any way such action in the preniises as may have been determined .on by Your Excellency. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, L. P. WALKER. [.1 - WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Montgomery, April 10, 18G1. JOHN C.. BURCH, Esq., Nashville, Tenn.: Sin: The engagements of the Secretary of War just now are so urgent and continuous as to make personal reply, except after a delay too great, to your letter of the 6th instant impossible. I am therefore instructed to say to you that volunteer . troops from States without the Confed- eracy, though not admitted into the Provisional Army, can and will be in the event of actual hostilities, received into the service of the Con- federate States as part of their general voluiiteer force, authorized to be raised by an act of Congress to provide for the l)ubhic defense. That act authorizes the raising of 100,000 such troops, if deemcd iiec- essary. Waiving, until he shall have the pleasure of seeing you during your proposed visit to this city, the discussion of certain propositions in your letter, the Secretary (lirects me to suggest to you that in case of actual hostilities any organized body of men, whether regiment, bat- talion, or company from your State desiring to offer their services to this Government, would do ~veh1 to assemble, armed and equipped, at some convenient point on a railway line within the Confederate States, and an early notification after the commencement of war that they are or will be at a given (and early) date so assembled at such point will greatly increase the probability of their being received. You will please bear in mind that until mustered in by an officer of this Government our laws make no provision for paying or defraying the expenses of such trool)s. (They can be mustered into service at any point within this Confederacy.) The Secretary highly appreciates the patriotism which animates yourself and the other true and brave men of Tennessee who are preparing to aid the Confederate States against a common enemy. 1~espectfully, your obedient servant, Private Secretary. [4. Page 42 42 Sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. MOBILE, April 11, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER: A plan is on foot to capture the transport Illinois, supposed to be destined for lexas, with the Miramon, now lying at New Orleans, which has been promised for the purpose. Those engaged in the enterprise do not wish to compromise the Government, but request me to ascertain beforehand that their action will not conflict with the policy or plans of the President. An immediate answer is respectfully solicited. HENRY HOTZE, [1.] Editor Register. MONTGOMERY, April 11, 1861. HENRY lloTzE, Mobile: No objection, if west of the mouth of the Mississippi. [1.] L. P. WALKER. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, J. J. lOOPER, Esq., Milledgeville, Ga., April 11, 1861. Private Secretary, & c., Montgomery, Ala.: SIR: By direction of his Excellency the Governor, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th instant, and in reply to say that as there are but few artillery corps in the State, and as they would be much needed in case the soil of Georgia should be invaded, His Excellency deems it inexpedient to permit any of such companies to leave the State except the Washington Artillery, Capt. I. P. Girardey, of Augusta. This is the bestarmed and most thor- oughly drilled artillery corps in the State, and yesterday they were ordered into the service of the Coiifederate Government. Besides this corps the late contingent requisition will be filled with infantry troops 8loiie. I am, sir, very respectfully, & c., H. H. WATERS, [1.] Secretary Executive Department. MONTGOMERY A Capt. I. P. GIRARIJEY, pril 11, 1861. Washington Artillery, Augusta: Instructions are to proceed without delay to Pensacola and report to General Bragg fbi duty. Your company organization retained. Trans. portation provided from Augusta, though mustered into service at Pensacola. Hope you will certainly leave on Saturday. [1.] L. P. WALKER. MOBILE, April 12, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER: As hostilities have commenced, shall I not seize all the Yankee ships in Mobile Bay l W. J. HARDEE, Golonel, C. S. Army. [1. Page 43 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 43 MONTGOMERY, ALA.~ April 12, 1861. Col. W. J. HARDEE, Fort Morgan, Mobile: No; the best of returns would not justify it. L. P. WALKER. [1.] MONTGOMERY, April 12, 1861. HENRY HoTzE, Mobile: Give me the iiame of the person who is to command expedition to capture the Illinois, and authority will be sent him to do so. L. P. WALKER. ~1.] MOBILE, April 12, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER: Will reply this evening when certain necessary information is obtained. ~1.] HENRY HOTZE. MOBILE, April 12, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER: Join Henry Maury and George Blackeslee in commission. Extend authority to other transports. Men and money ready. Expedition has the two gnus of Mexicaui steamers, but sent agent to-day to charter swifter vessel. [1.] HENRY HOTZE. MONTGOMERY, April 12, 1861. HENRY HOTZE, Mobile: Deliver the inclosed commission to the parties named: HENRY MAURY and GEORGE BLACKESLEE: You are authorized by the Government of the Confederate States to intercept and seize all transports carrying supplies and munitions of war for the Government of the United States. This authority will protect you, in the event of your capture, from being treated as pirates; but the transports seized will not be your prizes, bnt your share must be determined by the Coiigress. [1.] L. P. WALKER. LOUIsvILLE, April 12, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER: DEAR SIR: Yours of the 9th by Mr. Hooper is at hand. I will write immediately to the captains of different companies to be in readiness, and I doubt not we will be enabled to rendezvous here in a very few days, if ordered to do so. The companies are in different counties, some at a considerable distance, but can be easily concentrated upon a given point in three days. It has been my intention to take them by boat to Memphis, which can be done at a small cost, and from there they can go to any designated point by railroad. It might be just as wel Page 44 44 SW.VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. c4A. tOHAP. LXIV. for your Department to make some arrangement beforehand with the Memphis and Charleston Railroad Company for the transportation of the men and baggage. The excitement throughout our State is intense, and there is not a doubt that 1O,OO(i would volnnteer immediately to help you, if you need them, as soon as a gun is fired. And you can get plenty of men from Indiana and Illinois, too. Yours, truly, BLANTON DUNCAN. E4.] LOUISVILLE, April 12, 1861. Hon. L. POPE WALKER, 81ecretary of War, Montgomery, Ala.: DEAR Sin: The men are becoming very anxious to embark, and desire you to write immediately, statimig positively whether or not their offer is now accepted. They are also anxious to ascertaimi whether they will be ordered to Charleston or Pensacola, in order that arrangements may be made in accordance; and, furthermore, wish to be assured that arms and uniforms will be furnished them immediately on arrival. I can be elected major of the battalion, but as one company is bitterly ol)pos~d to me, and would probably withdraw in time event of my suc- cess, I have determined to decline the position. For this reason I request you to take into farther consideration the application II have made for an appointment in the C. S. Army, and as war seems now inevitable, for Gods sake be speedy in your action. With an apology for that informality, and with the request that you will inform us upon the above points, I am, sir, with sentiments of high consideration, your most obedient servant, BEN. M. ANDERSON. [~.1 ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERALS OFFICE, Montgomery, April 13, 1861. Capt. THOMAS H. TAYLOR. Regiment of Cavalry, Montgomery, Ala.: SIR: You will proceed to Louisville, Ky., via Memphis and Nash- ville, Tenn., and make examination for the establishment of recruiting rendezyons in each of those cities. You will do the same in respect to Frankfort, Lexington, Covington, or Newport, Ky., amid such other places contiguous thereto as in your judgment may offer facilities for recruiting. You will report the result of your examination to this office, and await instructions for opening rendezvous. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. COOPER, [1.] Adjutant and Jmnspector (ieneral. WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Brig. Gen. BRAXTON BRAGQ Montgomery, April 13, 1861. Commanding at Pensacola, Pensacola, Pla.: SIR: Communications addressed to this Department from Mobile treat as very practicable the opening of a route from Mobile to I~ensa Page 45 CHAP. LXIV.) CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 45 cola, known as the Perdido route. It is thus described in a sentence which occurs in a letter from Col. James E. Saunders, of Mobile, to this iDepartinent: A steam-boat can take troops or stores froiit Mobile and land them in a few hours at the head of tide water on Bon Secours, the eastern extremity of Mobile Bay; thence by land over an open road used for several years four miles and a half to tide water on Wolf Creek, western extremity of Perdido Bay; thence by steamer or schooner to eastern side of Perdido Bay, within seven or eight miles of the navy-yard. I request that you will as soon as practicable fnrnish the Department with your views in regard to the opening of this route, its probable cost, and value to the service. You will doubtless find many persons in Petisacola who will be able to furnish you information in regard to the route, which seems at some time to have been used. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, L. P. WALKETh [1.1 ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERALS OFFICE, Montgomery, April 13, 1861. Col. WILLIAM J. IIARDEE, C. S. Army, Commanding Port Morgan, Ala.: COLONEL: In answer to your communication of the 8th instant I have respectfully to state that there are three companies at Mount Vernon Arsenal, which will be ordered to Fort Morgan. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. COOPER, [1.] Adjutant wad Inspector General. MOBILE, April 13, 1861. His Excellency JEFFERSON D~& vIs, Pr sident of the Confederate States, Montgomery: DEAR SIR: At the instance of a number of our intelligent citizens, I write to say a word about the condition of Mobile in a military point of view. Colonel Hardee is, I understand, in command of Fort Morgan, but has no authority further than this~ it is the general opinion here that he has a few (two or four) large guns, and that while he would be able to resist a sea attack, he cannot prevent vessels of light draft from approaching Mobile; that Fort Gaines has no defenses, and that Mobile is approachable through Grants Pass, which connects Mobile Bay with the Mississippi Sound, and which is the route commerce takes from this place to New Orleans~ all of which, however, you doubtless know as well as any one. Grants Pass is out of the reach of Fort Gaines, which latter, as I understand it, was designed to guard the entrance to Mobile of vessels which by passing near it would be out of the effective range of Fort Morgan. It is therefore the opinion here that Mobile has no defenses against approaches from small vessels. Our volunteer com- panies having offered their services to the Governor amid, having been accepted, We are about to be without men, arms, or ammunition here, and this is creating a feeling of insecurity among our people. I do not myself apprehend any such attack, because I do imot see how the United States can under any semblance of law make it, but my object is not to express any opinion of my own or to give any advice, but simply to write facts at the request of our people. It would be acceptable to our peopl Page 46 46 Sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. to learn that Colonel ilardees command extended to Fort Gaines, Grants Pass, and the approaches generally to Mobile. They have great confidence in him, but understand that his authority is confined to Fort Morgan. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your friend and obedient servant, H. II. SMITH. [1 LOUISVILLE, April 13, 1861. Hon. L. P. l,7~TALKER: DEAR SIR: I have immediately sent out the following order to the captains of companies organizing, and I have no doubt that we can be able to move very quickly after yonr dispatch reaches me. I trust that the directions (which are according to our State regulations) about uni- forming will be satisfactory to your lDepartment. It is my intention to rendezvous the companies here immediately upon receipt of your dis- patch and to take them by boat to Memphis, or by railroad through Tennessee, jnst as I may find it cheapest and can make the best arrange- nients. The cost from Memphis to Stevenson, I imagine, will be the same as from Nashville to that l)oint, and by railroad we can go much faster than by boat. I will conform, however, to your directions. As yoi~ gave no directions in regard to the formation of the regiment I will conform to our State rules, and may bring you more companies than you bargained for, unless directed not to do so. I am overwhelmed with applications for authority to raise companies. According to our rules a regiment may be composed of two or three battalions, of six companies each, and each under the command of a major. If good men present themselves I should take the responsibility (unless other- wise directed) of accepting their services, if they were prepared to move, and would take them along with me. If a battalion should be ready sooner thaii the whole regiment, I will send it down at once under command of a major. Our men are all marksmen, as you are aware, and should by allmeans have rifles, as indicated in my first communi- cation to you. I shall have in the regiment several captains who under- stand light artillery tactics, and if it should be deemed advisable to attach one or more batteries to the regiment it can easily be accom- plished. The war news from Charleston of the battle, though expected, has created a painful feeling of regret that the issue should have been forced upon the South, but you will find our people almost a unit in a few weeks. If deemed advisable for me to go to Montgomery for instructions prior to the departure of the volunteers from this point, I will do so upon receipt of any dispatch from your Department. The flag of the regiment is slightly different from yours, it having a large star upon the blue field iu the center of the seven others. I have the honor to be, yours, truly, BLANTON DUNCAN. [~1 JACKSON, April 13, 1861. lou. L. P. WALKER: No letter received from you. Thirty companies impatient for orders. JTO. J. PETTUS. [1. Page 47 CIIAP. LXIV.) CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 47 NASHVILLE, April 13, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER: Leading military men of Tennessee meet here to-morrow to devise plan for concert of action to assist you. JNO. C. BURCH. [4.] MOBILE, April 15, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER: Yesterday I transferred to General Bragg the command of the Ninth Regiment Mississippi Volunteers under Chalmers, and the Tenth Regi- ment under Colonel Phillips. This morning I received the reports of the artillery companies of Captain Kerr and Captain Todd, at HaIls Ferry, and ordered them to march immediately and report to General Bragg. I go to Jackson to organize the additional troops called for. Respectfully, CHAS. CLARK, [1.] ]Ifajor-[ Ueneralj, Commanding Army of Mississippi. ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR C~TENERALS OFFICE, Montgomery, April 16, 1861. Col. W. J. HARDEE, Commanding Fort Morgan, Mobile, Ala.: SIR: I transmit herewith a letter from Mr. John T. Morgan, of Mobile, addressed to the Secretary of War. The Secretary desires that this letter be submitted to Major Leadbetter, with instructions to examine and report in full, with the le~ist delay practicable, on the points sug. gested by Mr. Morgan, together with such views as he may have to offer, the letter of Mr. Morgan to be returned to this office with the report of Major Leadbetter. Very respectfully, your 3bedient servant, S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General. [Inclo8ure.] MOBILE, April 4, 1861. General L. P. WALKER: DEAR SIR: I have just returned from Fort Morgan, where I was ordered to join General Clemens. Six companies of the South Alabama volunteers have left the service, but their places were readily occupied by the gallant North Alabamians. I did all I could to prevent the movement, but it had gone too far. Thh officers and non-commissioned officers of Captain Morgan~s company attempted to remain, but Colonel flardee would not admit them into other companies already organized, because they were as full as he desired to have them. They left the fort in tears. My brother had resigned his commission and was admit- ted as a private in another company and was afterward elected niajor. I saw Kennedy iii the Florence Guards as private, and many other elegant gentlemen from that county and Madison and Limestone. Cap- tain Forney, with forty-eight men from Calhoun, was permitted to remain at the fort until he could send home for other recruits. I hope he ma Page 48 48 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. ELA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. be received. He has a good company, and the honor of that grand old county is wrapped up in his remaining there. I would like to say many things about Fort Morgan, but will not trespass on your time. My purpose in writing was merely, so far as business is concerned, to say that I hope you will at once direct that large tents with flies to them (of the pattern of officers tents) will be sent to Fort Morgan for the troops encamped outside. If the whole garrison is kept inside the fort you may expect yellow fever and other serious diseases amongst them. The sand is so heavy and white on the outside as to render it very dis- agreeable, unless the soldiers can get the benefit of the breeze. With such tents as I mention they can have some protection from the sun and get the sea breeze, which is very fine. With these little close tents they are forced to remain out in the open sun, or else suffer very much from heat. It is not there as it is in Pensacola, where they have live- oak shade trees to protect them. At Fort Morgan all the trees, save a few scattering and stunted pines, are removed to prevent a cover to an approaching enemy, and there remains only a huge, unbroken waste of sand, nearly as white as snow and intensely hot. The most of the men froni INorth Alabama are unused to exposure, and will be unable to stand camp life on the beach unless they have some shelter from the sun. They are all encamped outside the fort. If a hostile force of 1,500 well-disciplined men was landed three miles from Fort Morgan, and marched under cover of the sand hills, they could approach, with a front of nearly the whole breadth of the land, to a point within 300 yards of the glacis. Colonel Hardee is having the hills leveled, but it is a very heavy undertaking, and with his pres- ent force of laborers he cannot accomplish it in two months. Captain Maury is the only man in the fort who can load and fire a heavy gun with any precision of aim or any regard to tactics. Lieutenant Ball is there, and he is a man of sense and will make a first-rate officer, but 11 take it that he is not practically experienced beyond his training at West Point. Colonel Hardee and Colonel Lead better, of course, are not included in these remarks. Captain Maury is a man of brilliant talents, cool judgment, and great scientific and practical skill. He is indispensable to the service. I saw an experimental shot with a 10-inch columbiad made by Captain Maury with a shell provided with a new sabot of his own invention, and it was a most magnificent success. His second trial the shell was prqjected about two miles and a half and exploded within ten to twenty feet of the water. The first shot was equally as successful. Fort Morgan is safe from an attack seaward, but it seems to me that it is liable to great danger from a sudden land attack, especially in the absence of experienced artillerists. Pardon the length of this letter. Very respectfully and truly, your friend, [1.J JNO. T. MOIIGAN. MONTGOMERY A Hon. L. P. WALKER, pril 16, 1861. & cretary of War: DEAR SIR: I propose to raise one or more companies of volunteers to assist in reducing Fort Pickens. If required we will pay our own expenses and arm ourselves. We will require no pay for services. We wish to be permitted to return to our respective companies of cavalry so soon as Pickens is taken. An early answer will oblige, as a meetin Page 49 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 49 of the officers of our regiment is now in session. Many citizens belong- ing to no company, and who cannot enlist for a longer period, are willing to unite with us. Respectfully, J. H. CLANTON. P. S.We would, of course, if accepted, act as infantry. J. II. C. [1.] WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Montgomery, April 16, 1861. General J. H. CLANTON, Montgomery, Ala.: SIR: The Secretary of War directs me to say in reply to your letter of this date that it is impossible that he can receive troops of any description at present for Pensacola, because the force already there is as large as is now desired. The Secretary, however, appreciating the patriotic motives of General Clanton and his associates, will cheerfully give them a letter to General Bragg, expressing a hope thatif a collision with the enemy should occur these gallant gentlemen may, under his direction (and subject to his decision on the expediency of availing him- self of their services on the occasion supposed), have opportunity to par- ticipate in the engagement. It must be understood, however, that such a letter as indicated will be unofficial in its character, an dthatthegen. tlemen who bear it are not connected with the Army of the Confederate States, but only gentlemen in their individual capacity desiring to take part in the defense of the country. iRespeetfully, your obedient servant, J. J. HOOPER, Li.] Private & cretary. LEXINGTON, Ky., April 16, 1861. JEFFERSON DAVIS: Twenty thousand men can be raised to defend Southern liberty against Northern conquest. Do you want them? JNO. H. MORGAN. [~ii WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Montgomery, April 16, 1861. Maj. B. M. ANDERSON, Loui8ville, Ky.: SIR: The Secretary of War instructs me to reply to your letter of the 12th instant, and to say that this Government has not yet decided to accept the services of troops offt~red from States without the Con- federacy, for the reason that for the present, and until the war policy of the Washington Government is more completely evolved, it is impossible to say what number of troops will be needed for our defense. No one will understand better than yourself that it would be unwise to call into the field a greater number of troops than the operations of the enemy may make Ilecessary. So far we are not 4 R RVOL LII, PT I Page 50 50 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA.. & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. advised of the movement southward of any body of Northern troops which could possibly be formidable as an invading force. Events, however, are thickening, and a very short time may make the aid of our friends in Kentucky very acceptable. Jn such case you will be promptly advised. The Secretary further directs me ~o say that your application will receive the full consideration to which he does not doubt it is entitled. Respectfully, your obedient servant, J. J. HOOFER, [4.] Private Secretary. NEW ORLEANS, April 16, 1861. President DNvJS: I have the honor to tender you a regiment of Kentuckians. Do you accept i Your requisition for 3,000 just reached me from Baton Rouge. Letter opened. Contents sent by my secretary. TilO. 0. MOORE. [Indorsement.] The Kentuckians will be accepted if you tender them as part of the reserve which Louisiana has been asked to hold organized. [1.] J. IJ[AVJS]. Brig. Gen. S. COOPER: NASHVILLE, April 16, 1861. Whoic city in mass meeting last night. Unanimous for the South. Recommended call of Legislature to call convention to secede. Send quick. T. H. TAYLOR, [4.] Captain, C. S. Army. MONTGOMERY, April 17, 1861. JOHN H. MORGAN, Lexington, Ky.: We do not know what a few days may develop. Hope our friends will hold themselves in readiness to respond to any call we may make. L. P. WALKER. [4.] PENSACOLA, April 17, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER: My orders of to-day will clear my camp of suspicious persons, as you were advised. Martial law has become necessary. My movements have been made known constantly, but I think the office iu Pensacola is not responsible. Mr. Le Baron notified you. He has my confidence as fully as any officer of my command, amid has most faithfully served our cause. BRAXTON BRAGG. [1. Page 51 Cnip. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 51 W~i~ DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Montgomery, April 17, 1861. Col. WILLIAM H. CHAMBERS, Pensacola, Eta.: SIR: The engagements of the Secretary of War are so pressing as to necessitate the traiisfer of a portion of his correspondence to other hands, and I am directed by him to say, in reply to your letter of the 15th instant, that no additional troops will be ordered for Pensa- cola unless circumstances shall cause alteration of the present plan of operations. Respectfully, your obedient servant, J. J. HOOPER, [1.] Private Secretary. KEY WEST, April 17, 1861. His Excellency M. S. PERRY, Governor of Florida, Tallahassee: DEAR SIR: On the 13th the steamer Atlantic, from New York, with troops and horses, anchored in our outer harbor. The pilots were warned not to come near, and they refused to give her name. Col. Harvey Brown, in command of the troops, and Capt. 1\I. C. Meigs, his chief engineer, came on shore from her and landed at Fort Taylor. They sent for those of the citizens in their confidence and conferred with them, taking care to prevent communication with others from the ship, and returned to the ship, taking with them a number of the troops stationed here, several large mortars, and a field battery. We learned of the appointments to the offices here. They are evidently made by the advice of the military men hereMajor French, in command at Fort Taylor, l)ostmasterand that objectionable persons would be sent away. The steamer left during the night, and went to Tortugas the next day, as we learned on the 15th by the following message: Lieutenant Mor- ton, engineer in charge of the construction of Fort Jefferson (Tortugas), sent his compliments to Mr. Filor by the captain of a transport schooner, Tortugas. and desired hiiim to say to Mr. Filor that a steamer had arrived there and taken on board materials, and that par- ties on board said steamer had ordered twenty or more of the slave laborers employed in that work and owned by citizens of this place to go on board the said steamer and carried them off; that he, Lieutenant Morton, had nothing to do with the carrying oft of the negroes, and if anything happened to them the Government would be responsible for them. This message has been submitted to Mr. Filor. He says it is correct. The troops on board time ship are estimated at 500 or (300, and the horses seventy; the mortars are said to be 10-inch, and four in number. The troops taken from here are variously estimated the nearest, I think, to the truth is thirty-five drafted. I have it from the best authority that the steamer is bound to I~ensacola to re-enforce Pickens, but the secrecy and duplicity practiced mnakes me doubtful. I forgot to state that Captain Meigs gave out here that he was bound to Tortugas to strengthen that point in consequence of a British naval force expected on this coast, and the steamer was going to Texas. The steam frigate Powhatan passed to the westward on the 14th. The steamer Illinois, fromu Nen York, arrived this morning and sailed imumediately; a large number of troops on board; destination not known, the orders being sealed. We are living under great mortification, but we are satisfied that, under the existing circumstances, it is for the best that you (lid not take the forts or send arms here. Believing i Page 52 52 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHIP. LXIV. proper that you should be advised of the abduction of the slaves from Tortugas, I prevailed on the postmaster, J. C. Whalton, to charter the smack Neptune for $100 to take a mail to Cedar Keys immediately. We are in a state of perfect suspense and uncertainty. This must account to you for this hurried and disjointed communication. With perfect coiifidence iii our good men at our several helms, and the justice of our cause, I remain, sir very respectlully, your obedient servant, F. WATLINGTON. APRIL 18. The weather prevented the smack from getting off yesterday. Lieu- tenant Morton, from Tortugas, arrived here last night, and I learned from good authority that the message to Mr. Filor is what he sent. He protested as far as it was his privilege against the negroes being taken. In haste, F. W. Of the slaves taken thirteen belonged to James Filor, three to J. B. Browne, two to D. W. Whitehurst, one to J. C. Whalton, one to H. L. Hicks, one to F. J. Moran. [Indorsement.] Received at the Executive Chamber, Tallahassee, April 29, at 10 a.m., 1861. [1.] Hon. L. P. WALKER: MOEILE, April 17, 1861. In view of certain contingencies, shall I stop here any news other than official dispatches coming from ~ It is reported Slem- mer has made demand for navy-yard and forts. You will soon hear definitely. No one knows this. Confederate bonds sold enthusiastic- ally. L. F. ZANTZJNGER, [1.1 Manager Telegraph Office, Mobile, Ala. ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERALS OFFICE, Col. W. J. HARDEE, C. S. Army, Montgomery, April 17, 1861. Commanding Port Morgan, Mobile, Ala.: COLONEL: I am instructed by the Secretary of War to call your par- ticular attention to the inclosed copy of a letter received to-day from General Clemens.* The Secretary desires that you will correspond with General Clemens on the subject of his proposition, and as far as you can, consistently with your judgment in the matter, co-operate with him in strengtening the defenses of the harbor. The guns which he suggests being placed at Saud Island, Choctaw Point, Spanish River, and Dauphin Island can, be replaced at your fort from Baton Rouge Arsenal before carriages now making for them can be completed. Very respectfully, your obedient servaut, ~ COOPER, [1.1 Adjntant and Inspector General. Not found Page 53 CHAP. LXITh] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 53 ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GE~ERAL5 OFFICE, Alontgornery, April 17, 1861. Col. W. J. HARDEE, Commanding Fort Morgan, Mobile, Ala.: Your command is extended to Fort Gaines, Grants Pass, and the approaches generally to Mobile. If you can advantageously use the revenue cutter Lewis Cass you are authorized to do so. It will be put to your service by the Secretary of the Navy. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. COOPER, [1.1 Adjutant and Inspector General. NEW ORLEANS, April 17, 1861. L. P. WALKER: I tender the Confederate Government a regiment Kentucky volun- teers, Blanton Duncan, lieutenant-colonel, commanding. At what point and when shall they be mustered into service ~ Confederate loan suc- cessful. Nearly $3,000,000 taken to-day in New Orleans. THO. 0. MOORE, [1.] Governor of Louisiana. MONTGOMERY, April 17, 1861. Governor THOMAS 0. MOORE, Baton Rouge, La.: The Kentucky regiment will be received if you tender them as part of the reserve which louisiana has been asked to hold organized - L. P. WALKER. [1.] MONTGOMERY, April 17, 1861. Governor PETTUS, Jackson: Send Major French to Pensacola without a days delay. Absolutely necessary. L. P. WALKER. [1.] MONTGOMERY, April 18, 1861. Maj. Gen. J. CLEMENS, Mobile: A copy of your letter* has been sent to vol. W. J. Hardee, who ~s instructed to co-operate with you in regard to the harbor defenses, agreeably to your suggestion. S. COOPER, [I.] Adjutant and Inspector General. KEY WEST, FLA., April 18, 1861. [Hon. L. P. WALKER:] SIR: It is currently reported in town that Major French, commanding the fort at this place, has been appointed by the Lincoln Administration Not found Page 54 54 SW. YA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. as my successor. I am informed that he has appointed Mr. Henry Albury, Unionist, as his assistant. I send oft to-day to Cedar Keys important (lispatches from Senator Watlingtou to Governor Perry,* to do which I have been compelled to charter a smack at ~l0O, and npon the performance of said service will give the parties transporting the same an order on thc State payable at the meeting of its next Legis- lature. These dispatches relate in part to the arrival of the steam-ship Atlantic at this port from New York with troops, horses, & c., the taking on board several pieces of ordnance and thirty-six picked men from the force at Fort Taylor; her procednre to Fort Jefferson, where she took on board twenty-two slave laborers belonging to citizens of this place, and her (lel)arture to l)arts nnknown. The presumption is that Ii em- destination is Fort Pickeims, to throw up batteries for its protection. Captain Meigs, of the Washington Aqnednct renown, Topographical Engineers, in charge. I shall continue to act for the Southern Confed- eracy when I know that its interests demand prompt action as in the case above referred to. Thus far all the Federal appointments have been made through the commanding officer of the Federal forces at this place. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. C. WIIALTON, [1.] Postmaster. MEMPHIS, April 18, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER: It was telegraphed from Washington to Cairo to-day that Cairo will be made base of operations on the Mississippi River, and several South- ern ports will be blockaded. M. C. GALLOWAY. [4. MONTGOMERY, April 18, 1861. Governor T. 0. MOORE, New Orleans: The Kentucky regiment to which you refer will be held by you sub- Wet to requisition in the contingency referred to in my letters of the 8th and 16th of April. L. P. WALKER. [1.1 MONTGOMERY, April 18, 1861. Governor PETTUS, Jacleso Miss.: If your proposition to seize is deemed advisable will telegraph you hereafter. [1.J L. P. WALKER. MEMPHIS, April 18, 1861. Hon. JEFFERSON DAVIS: SIR: At the suggestion and by the request of the mayor and several leading citizens of Memphis I take the liberty of calling your attention *See April 17, p 51 Page 55 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 55 to the very great importance of an immediate supply of artillery for the defense of the Mississippi River at this place and at Randolph, above here. The citizens here will contribute any amount of money to buy cannon, but none can be obtained for money at any point access- ible to Memphis. It is, therefore, believed by them that you would not hesitate to order guns of proper caliber to be sent here from any part of the Confederacy where they are not now immediately needed. There were, a few weeks ago, guns and cannon at Jackson and Yicks~ bnrg, which, I suppose, might be more effectively used for our own pro- tection here than at those points. Let me further take the liberty of suggesting the name of Dr. W. C. Bryan, of this place, as a gentleman in every way qualified to take charge of any artillery that may be sent here. Tenuessee is in a blaze, and to all appearances nnanimous for resistance. My only apology for this intrusion is the zeal that burns in my heart for the success of our cause. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 0. DAVIS, [4.] Of Ripley, Miss. ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERALS OFFICE, Montgomery, April 18, 1861. Capt. THOMAS II. TAYLOR, Nashville, Tenn.: SIR: A reqnisition has this (lay beemi made on the Secretary of War for the sum of $2,000 in your favor at Nashville, Tenn., on account of the ~ecrumting service. I send herewith for your information a copy of a letter from Lieut. R. C. Hill, of artillery, from which you will perceive that he has caused a rendezvous to be.opeued at Memphis, with a good prospect of success, and which may supersede the necessity of your making arrangements at that ,point. If~ how ever, you should proceed to Memphis, and should determine to extend operations there, it is advisable that you should adopt the same precautions as are intimated in Lieutenant Hills letter, and as far as possible use the same means. You will keep this office advised of your progress and make your requi- sitions for funds from time to time, as may be rendered necessary, always keeping me informed of your movements in advance. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. COOPER, [4.] Adjutant and Inspector aeneral. ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERALS OFFICE, Col. W. J. HARDEE, Montgomery, April 19, 1861. Fort Morgan, Ala.: In my letter of the 17th instant it was not intended to instruct you to co-operate with any one in the construction of defenses for Mobile, but simply to call your attention to the suggestions in General Clemens letter. Whatever is determined upon must be decided by yourself for this Government, leaving you free to consider any suggestions submitted to you. S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General. [1. Page 56 56 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. LOUISVILLE, Ky., Friday Afternoon, April 19, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER, & cretary of War: DEAR SIR: I arrived here last night, and have to-day seen Colonel Duncan. I can get no assistance from him. He expects to send about 1,500 men to the Governor of Louisiana next week. They go there without any arms. This State has about 10,000 flint-lock muskets; no cannon, but expect to commence casting some soon. I learn through Duncan from a New York dealer in fire-arms that the Northern States are nearly as bad off as the Southern about improved arms. They have but very few of the latest improvement. The Indiana volunteers of the Lincoln Government have just been supplied with the old flint-locks. Governor Magoffin is here endeavoring to raise money to purchase ord- nance and small-arms for the State. I understand that he has made an arrangement with some of the banks to get the money. It is his inten- tion, he tells me, to plant batteries along the Ohio River at suitable points. General P. has gone to Fort Smith. I leave in an hour for Saint Louis. Respectfully, JNO. C. BURCII. [4.] WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., ]lfontg~ornery, April 19, 1861. His Excellency ISHAM G. HARRIS, Governor of Tennessee, & e.: SIR: War existing between this Government and that at Washington, forced by the perfidious conduct of the last, preparations are being made on both sides for the most active hostilities. Under these circum- stances it is not improbable that forces will be sent from the North along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to burn our cities and devastate our country. It becomes, therefore, the imperative duty of this Gov- ernment to guard against these possible results by every means in their power. The defenses of the Mississippi require the erection of at least four additional batteries at eligible points along the banks of that river. It is proposed to construct one of these batteries at Memphis, in the State of Tennessee, and I trust Your Excellency will grant permission for the work to be done. I have the less hesitation in making this application to you, because I feel assured Tennessee will be identified with the States of this Confederacy, and that the danger which threatens is common to her as well as to ourselves. It cannot be that the States of this Confederacy can be assailed in their political and material rights and interests without Tennessee being sensibly affected. I-trust, there- fore, that through due regard to the exigencies and necessities of the times, the comity existing betwee ii Tennessee and the States of the Con- federate Government, as well as their joint welfare and future relations, Your Excellency will prcmptly accord to me the privilege of erecting, arming, and manning the battery to which I have referred at Memphis. Events are hastening to a bloody issne, and there is no time to be lost in our movements in tIme line of safety and security. I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration and respect, your obedient servant, L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War. [4. Page 57 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 57 LOUISVILLE, April 20, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER: DEAR SIR: Inclosed I send you a paragraph from the New York Tribune, confirming the news which I received from Northern sources that the North is not well armed. In his rage the abolition editor exposes a weak point. The Indiana troops were armed with flint-lock muskets, 8,000 being sent to Indianapolis. As the Chicopee works are destroyed, your Government will be on nearly an equal footing with Lincolns, and I presume will have weapons before they even send for any. The news from Baltimore enrages our people beyond conception, and we should throw something else besides paving stones at auy Northern troops attempting a passage here. My regiment will rendez- vous here on Tuesday, waiting orders from you, and all are eager to be ordered South at once. They wish to have arms put in their hands and quick service against the abolition hordes. I presume that our best route will be via Memphis, either to take the railroad there or go on to New Orleans, as you may direct. You can expedite matters by tele- graphing to me. I have the honor to be, very truly, BLANTON DUNCAN. [Inclosure.] WAR IS UPON US. We are involved in war! The country even yet does not fairly realize the fact. It was surprised, bewildered, stupefied by the tidings that the rebels were actually cannonading Fort Sumter. Probably a majority of the citizens of the free States have not until a week past believed that there would be any bloodshed. The loyal States are taken by sur- prise. Silently robbed by the traitor Floyd, they are unarmed to-day. Not five regiments in all the free States have been raised and drilled with any reference to a collision at hand. The l)ombardment and loss of Fort Sumter falls on the mass of our people like a clap of thunder from a cloudless sky. [4.] NASHVILLE, TENN., April 20, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER: SIR: My friend Hon. W. C. Whitthorne, whom you remember as the speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives, visits Montgomery at my instance, for the purpose of conferring with President Davis and yourself. He is fully advised and will make known to you the state of parties in our State, as well as our prospects, hopes, and apprehensions. Large accessions every day to the secession cause, and we confidently hope to stand with you under the Confederate flag very soon. Unfor- tunately, we have delayed the important work of arming our State ni~til it is difficult,if not impossible, to procure arms. If you have a surplus, we shall be happy to procure them. Very respectfully, ISHAM ~. HARRIS. [4.] MEMPHIS, April 20, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER: Can you send an engineer here capable of directing military defensive works ~? My movement is suspended by information that there is n Page 58 58 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP.LXIV. arsenal at the point I was moving on. I dispatched Burch to Governor of Missouri. This city has 5,000 men organized and ready, but not all armed. Answer at once. I shall leave here for Nashville. GID. J. PILLOW. [4.] General PILLOW, MONTGOMERY, April 20, 1861. Memphis, Tenn.: An engineer has been ordered to Memphis, and will be there in a few days. Suitable guns have been ordered froni I3atou lionge for the bat- teries and 1,500 muskets. Colonel Smith, of Memphis, is here, and likes the order. You can still do what I advised, and do go and do it at once. L. P. WALKEli. [4.] L. P. WALKER: MEMPHIS, April 20, 1861. Your dispatch received. The thing is impossible with my resources. Two thousand men in the arsenal. I write you. GID. J. PILLOW. [~~1 Hon. L. P. WALKER, MEMPHIS, TENN., April 20, 1861. Secretary of War, C. S. A.: I have communicate(l with you to-day by telegraphic dispatches. I think, however, I had better also write you, and now do so. We have now no longer any elements of strength in the State opposed to the union of Tennessee with the Confederate States. The action of tyrant Lincoln and the cry of war have stifled the voice of Union shriekers, and we are now ready and atixious to place Tennessee under the pro- tecting cgis of the Confederate Constitntion. This will be done as rapidly as the forms of constitutional action can be gone through with, if the State should not by revolutionary action be previously thrown into your arms. As I telegraphed you to-day, I sent Colonel Burch to communicate with Governor Jackson in regard to the arsenal at Saint Louis, and cannot state until I hear from him the result. I learn here, however, from the most reliable source, that Lincoln has thrown 2,100 troops into the arsenal, and fortified the position with batteries, & e. Still, I think Jackson will take the work. I was myself ready to move with 500 men and a section of a field battery on Fort Smith, but I learn by telegram front Governor Rector that all arms and munitions were removed from that fort the latter part of the past week to the Saint Louis Arsenal. I shall leave here this evening for Nashville; will meet the Legislature of the State there on Thursday, and as early thereafter as possible will go to Frankfort, Ky., see Governor Magoffin, and arrange the defenses of Kentucky, agree upon the line of operations to meet Lincoln, and the means of cutting up (in any state of things requiring it) the railroad communication to arrest his advance south. Lincoln has taken possession of and thrown a strong force into the Newpor Page 59 CHAP.LXIV.) CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 59 Barracks, and has removed a steam-boat load of arms from the Saint Louis Arsenal to Newport, thus indicating that point or the north bank of the river opposite there as a point of rendezvous. Jeffersonville will probably be another place of rendezvous, indicating a purpose to move a column of troops down through the center of Kentucky on the line of the railroad to Tennessee. The other column will rest on Washington City and the north boundary of Virginia as its base, to strike the heart of Virginia and into North Carolina. I give you this infbrniation as important for the consideration of President Davis. Ktioxviiig the wants of the Army and the scarcity of sul)sistence supplies, I have takeii steps here which I think will result in bringing 500,000 of sup- plies from Saint Louis for the use of Confederate forces. I am not positively certain that it will be done, for want of the money, but I think it will. This is the more important, as all subsistence supplies are now cut off except from Saint Louis, and in twenty days that means of supply will be cut off by a battery at Cairo. I inclose you herewith a communication which appeared in an extra Appeal of to~day.* In twenty days I will have 20,000 men ready, not well instructed, but yet, if pressed for action, capable of meeting an invading force; but I cannot by any earthly means arm them. The Legislature of the State, under my pressing demands upon the Gov- ernor, will meet Thursday next, and I hope to get an appropriation of $2,000,000 for the public use. I am pressed for time; will leave at 6 oclock for Nashville, where you can communicate with me, if deemed important. My confidence in the President as a statesman and as a commanding general induces me to place myself and my all at his disposal. He caim employ me anywhere and in any position he may indicate. I make no question, no inquiry. I am content to serve my country in her perilous position in any position lie may place me. With great respect, GIIJ. J. PILLOW. [~.1 NASHVILLE, April 20, 1861. (Via New Orleans, 9 a m. 21st. Received 10 a. m. 21st.) L. P. WALKER: I will have a regiment, the Walker Legion, raised for me in my absence, at Athens, Ala., in ten days, to be mustered into service. Remember your promise to furnish arms and warn me. Tennessee is on fire. WM. B. BATE. [4.] MOEILE, April 21, 1861. Col. W. J. HARBEE: SIR: I have declined turning over any portion of the regular troops of the State of Alabama to the Confederate States. Under the con- struction given to the act of Congress by the Secretary of War he is prohibited from receiving any of the Alabama regulars recruited sub- sequent to the 28th of February, 1861. We have but 103 men recruited prior to that timetoo many for one company and not enough for two. His co~mstruction, therefore, excludes all of our officers except those of Not found Page 60 60 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. one company. To turn over that one company and disband the remainder is liable to so many and such grave objections that 1 prefer to wait for the meeting of Congress before taking any action in the premises. Maj. S. S. Tucker, of the Alabama artillery, will have orders to obey implicitly any orders he may receive from you, and the troops will be in all respects subject to yonr command. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JEIRE. CLEMENS, Major- General, dec. [Indorsement. APRIL 23, 1861. The within is respectfully referred to the Secretary of War. W. J. HAJIDEE, [1.] Colonel, C. S. Army. MOBILE, April 21, 18G1. Hon. L. P. WALKER: (Received 7.35 p. in.) answer to of the 15th. Do you intend that I shall purchase the steam vessels and erect fortifications for defending the approaches to Mobile%~ Answer at once. The cutter has not been turned over to me. W. J. HAIRDEE. [1.] Colonel, C. S. Army. [L. P. WALKER WINCHESTER, TENN., April 21, 1861. DEAR GENERAL: Before this reaches you I will have my regiment ready to march. My great desire is that I shall not have such delay as to make my men impatient. So soon as I get my men ready I think I will rendezvous. I dislike exceedingly to think of having my men on oars for General Pillow; we would greatly prefer to be an independent regiment. General, my all, my honor, and that of my father is involved in this matter. My father was the first mali in Tennessee to take grounds for our present position here. He sacrificed himself upon its altar. I feel that under the circumstances this regiment ought to be received first of all from Tennessee. I was the first to make a tender of a Tennessee regiment. I have now about got it ready, and hope 1 will not have to wait the movement of Pillow. Such a course would cer- tainly dampen the ardor of my men, who have volunteered as minute men, and are now making rapid preparations to move, How are you off for arms ~? I request an early answer. Remember that my name has been cursed in Tennessee (I allude to my father) for its devotion to the South. IDo not, for Gods sake, suspend me to gratify Pillow. Answer right off. Your friend, P. TUlINEY. P. S.I mean by the above no disrespect to General Pillow what- ever, but do not want to be postponed to anybody. The fever is high, and want to see nothing cool it here. [4. Page 61 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENcE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 61 MONTGOMERY, April 22, 1861. Col. W. J. HARDEE, Fort Morgan, Mobile: Yours of the liith has been answered, and orders sent you with refer- ence to approaches to Mobile. The Secretary of the Navy has turned over the cutter Lewis Cass (now Morgan) in command of Capt. J. J. Morrison, who is ordered to report to you for duty. L. P. WALKER. [1.] MONTGOMERY, April 22, 1861. Capt. J. J. MORRISON, Of Cutter Lewis Cass (now Morgan), Mobile: Your cutter has been turned over by the Secretary of the Navy to this Department, and you are ordered to report for duty to Colonel ilardee, in command at Fort Morgan. L. P. WALKER, [1.] Secretary of War. MOBILE, April 22, 1861. L. P. WALKER: By order of Secretary of the Navy I report the cutter Morgan ready for service until 1st June, and shall leave Mobile at 2 p. m. to report to Colonel Hardee. J. J. MORRISON, [1.~ Captain. COLUMBUS, Kr., April 22, 1861. His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS President of the Confederate States of America: DEAR SIR: We beg leave to submit to you the following communi- cation, and we ask for it an attentive aud earnest consideration, as it is, in our opinion, of vital importance to ihe cause of the South. We approach you, sir, as Kentuckians, and in the spirit of friendship; and here permit us to say that Kentucky is still true to the holy cause of Southern rights, and we trust our confederated brethren will not place an uncharitable construction upon her long silence and seeming indif- ference. She would long since have spoken, proclaiming the fact and announcing her determination to link her destiny with her sisters of the Confederate States, but her voice has been stifled by politicians, w ho. clothed in a little brief authority, have basely used it to serve their own selfish ends; but the people cannot be always cheated, and the day is not far distant when the traitors who have tarnished Kentuckys fair escutcheon will be dealt with according to their merits. The secession of Kentucky is now a fixed fact, and the events of the last few days will hasten the denouement. The war has commenced, and we desire to play our part in it. We long to take our stand in arms by the side of our friends and brothers, to show to the world what Kentuckiaiis can dare in defense of Southern rights and Southern honor. Our former allegiance is broken. We acknowledge no Union but that of the Con- federate States. We recognize no President but Your Excellency. The principal object, howevci, which we have in addressing Your Excellency upon the preseiit Q%1~c~vsiOn i~ to mal~ ~p~g important an Page 62 62 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [C~IAP. LXIV. practical suggestions. We desire to call your attention to the city of Cairo, twenty miles above this place, at the junction of the Ohio and Mississippi Itivers. In a strategical and military point of view it is one of the most important places in the West. If Yonr Excellency will cast your eye for an instant npon the map and examine the topography around Cairo, you will be convinced of the trnth of our remark. It commands the trade of the Ohio and of the Missouri and Upper Mis- sissippi. If held by an abolition army, it will enable our enemies to cut off effectually all supplies from the above sources to the South. It is of the first importance, therefore, that the South should be iii posses- sion of this place. Your Excellency, of conrse,is well acquainted with the programme of the abolition administration at Washington, by which it is contemplated to concentrate at this point a corps of 10,000 or more troops. We think it would be a wise policy for the Confederate States to anticipate this step by taking it themselves. The citizens of Cairo are favorably disposed toward the Southern cause, and would lend a helping hand. The population is about 2,500. You will also find active and willing co-operation in Southern Kentucky, Southeastern Missouri, and West Tennessee. We are all with you heart and handyour friends to the death! Colnmbus, too, is also a very important place, and should be garrisoned and fortified. The Mississippi here is very narrow, only half a mile wide, and to the north of the town are the iron banks immehse bluffs, which rise 200 feet above the river. An efficient battery planted there would effectually command the channel. Nothing could pass without our permission. It is the first high land below the mouth, which, added to the narrowness of the river here, makes it capable of being rendered an almost impregnable point. Just below the town is Wolf Island, which has many advantages as a naval station. These suggestions are made to Your Excellency for the good of the cause, hoping that you will take them into speedy and special consid- eration. That Your Excellency may be satisfied as to the character and standing of your present correspondents, we beg leave to refer you to Hon. II. C. Burnett, late member of Congress from this district. Should the suggestions we have thrown out in this communication meet your approval and be deemed worthy of further attention, we pledge ourselves to render you every assistance in our power to forward the project mentioned, or any other that may redound to the cause of South- ern rights and the prosperity of the Confederate States. With sentiments of respect and esteem, we have the honor to be, Your Excellencys obedient servants, A. J. BARRY. HORNE & MOORE. [4.J GEG. B. MOSS. ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERALS OPPIcE, Montgomery, April 22, 1861. Capt. P. STOCKTON, Corps of Artillery, Montgomery, Ala.: Sin: In proceeding under your instructions to erect batteries at points on the Mississippi River for the purpose of interrupting the passage of armed troops by that river, agreeably to your verbal instruc- tions, I am directed by the Secretary of War to say that you will freely confer with the authorities at Memphis and such other places as ma Page 63 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 63 be visited by you, with a view to invite their cordial co-operation in respect to the object to be accomplished. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. COOPER, [4.] Adjutant and Inspector General. EXECTJTIvE DEPARTMENT, Nashville, Teun., April 22, 18G1. Hon. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War, C. S. A.: SIR: Your communication of the 19th instant, suggesting the proba- bility of an invasion of our borders at points along the Ohio or lVlissis- sippi Rivers, and requesting the privilege of erecting batteries at eligi- ble points along the banks of these rivers as a means of (lefense, has been received and briefly answered by telegraph. Appreciating the necessity of such defenses as you suggest, I had, previous to the receipt of your letter, ordered Lieutenant Dunnington, recently of the U. S. Navy, to take observations of the river and report to me the most eligible sites for the erection of one or more batteries. I have this day written to him at Memphis, and also to Colonels Wright and Smith, acquainting them with your request, informing them of my cor- dial assent to it, and instructing them to confer with any authorities who may be sent by you there, with the view of facilitating the matter as far as may be within their power. I fully appreciate your sugges- tions with regard to our common danger, and cordially reciprocate your sentiments concerning the mutual interests, sympathy, and destiny of the citizens of my State and of your Government. I beg to assure you that I will confer freely and co-operate most cordially, as far as may be within my power, in everything looking to a defense of our rights and an ample redress of any injuries that may be inflicted. I have the honor to be, with very great respect, ISHAM G. HARRIS. [4.] NASHvILLE, April 22, 1861. L. P. WALKER: Have you any arms that you can spare to Tennessee ~ If so, of what character~ I know of no market at which they can be procured imme- diately. ISHAM ~7T. HARRIS. [4.] MONTGOMERY, April 22, 1861. Governor ISIIAM G. HARRIS, Nashville, Tenn.: Some days ago 1 ordered 1,500 muskets and some heavy guns to Memphis. In my dispatch to-day I propose to furnish the three regi- ments asked for. If more can be done for you, you may rest assured it shall be. L. P. WALKER. [~. Page 64 64 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. NASHVILLE, April 22,1861. L. P. WALKER: Call you send me an experienced ordnance officer to supervise, for a short time. the casting, testing, & c., of ordnance? It is indispensable. ISHAM G. HARRIS. [4.] MONTGOMERY, ALA., April 22, 1861. Governor ISHAM G. HARRIS Nmshrillc: Will send you ordnance officer as soon as one can be had. You may rely on this. L. P. WALKER. [4.] MEMPHIS, April 22, 1861. L. P. WALKER: Not less than 25,000 troops have tendered me their services. If you can furnish arms, I can bring into the field from Tennessee 50,000 iu thirty days. You understand my mission here. GID. J. PILLOW. [4.] KNOXVILLE, April 22, 1861. Hon. R. TOOMES: Please ask your Secretary of War to send us up 1,000 stand of arms from Augusta, to arm a regiment commanded by Colonel Cummings. We have no arms in Tennessee. We want to send our troops either to the banks of the Mississippi River or to Washington City, as exigencies may require. Send blank muster-rolls and pay-rolls. Please answer. JOHN H. CROZIER. [4.] ADJUTANT AN]) INSPECTOR GENERALS OFFICE, Montgomery, April 22, 1861. Capt. W. S. WALKER, Monticello, PUt.: SIR: At your earliest convenience you will repair to Memphis, Teun., and there establish a recruiting rendezvous for the Army of the Con- federate States. As that State has not yet formally constituted itself a part of this Confederacy, you will exercise due caution in carrying on your duties. It is not apprehended, however, that you will meet with any serious difficulty in procuring the services of good men nor be interrupted in your duties. The men are to be engaged and properly examined by a competent medical man, after passing which examina- tion they are to be sent in squads to Baton Rouge Barracks, to report to Captain Frazer, by whom they will be enlisted and supplied with clothing. In addition to your duties at Memphis you will establish branch rendezvous on a convenient line of communication with that city within a distance of 100 miles, more or less, at such points as by observation you may deem well adapted for engaging good men. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General. [4 Page 65 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 65 ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERALS OFFICE, Montgomery, April 23, 1861. First Lient. GEORGE B. COSBY, Fraukfort, Ky.: SIR: As soon as you shall have carried out the instructions of the Governor of Kentucky, or are able to conform to these instructions, you will report, in person or by letter, to Capt. Thomas H. Taylor, of the Army, who has been assigned to the duty of procaring men to be enlisted in the Army of the Confederate States, and from him you will receive orders, and be governed accordingly. Captain Taylor will also supply you with funds. His address will be Frankfort, Ky., or you may hear of his being elsewhere. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. COOPEIR, Adjutant and Inspector General. FORT MORGAN, April 23, 1861. Col. W. J. HARDEE, C. S. Army, Commanding Fort Morgan: COLONEL: I have received your letter of this date asking for a report of what is required to be done in the engineer~ s departineiit at Grants Pass, Fort Morgail, Fort Gaines, and elsewnere,in order to prevent the entrance of a hostile force into Mobile Bay. In my report relative to the defense of Grants Pass, already submitted, I have rec- ommended a floating battery for that place, to be got up and com- manded by an officer of the Navy. This could probably be done by altering, strengthening, and arming some vessel already afloat. At Fort Gaines, Dauphin Island, the scarp-walls are now some fifteen feet high throughout, and by building gates for the openings and mounting a few guns in barbette inside the place can soon be made somewhat defensible. Having done this, or simultaneously with it, the bastions, whose arches have been turned, should have their parapets built, and each bastion shonld be armed with one heavy pivot gun. Each was intended to inoant a columbiad. Thus, within a reasonable time Fort Gaines will be defensible, and be made to exercise a strong influence on the defense of the channel west of the main ship channel. But the channel between Forts Morgan and Gaines being nearly three miles and a quarter wide, both of these works combined do not effect- ively command the middle of it, where an eight-foot channel is available to the enemy. Here I would anchor a floating battery; a bay steamer, perhaps, strengthened with bulwarks of timber covered with iron bars. Her fire combined with that of the forts would comumand the narrow channel effectually, and her locomotive powers would enable her to cruise with effect in the daytime. At Fort Morgan the citadel should be made bomb-proof and receive a parapet of sand-bags. These are the general dispositions urgently required for defense, and, together with the exterior lines already proposed to be built across the peninsula east of Fort Morgan, are deemed indispensable. Under these arrange- ments Fort Morgan becomes truly defensible and the bay inaccessible to an enemy. The city of Mobile can then lie assailed only by a force landing on the shore of Mississippi Sound, and such landing cannot be prevented. Such a movement must be met and repulsed by the stout 5 R RYOL LII, PT I Page 66 66 Sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. hearts and strong arms of the military forces which can be concen- trated at the city. As these operations will riot admit of delay, I pro- pose to begin those of them which are most urgent without waiting for formal authority. B. LEADBETTE1i, Major of Engineers. [Tndorsernent.] FORT MORGAN, April 23, 1861. This letter is respectfully referred to the Secretary of War. Having placed Fort Gaines an(l other entrances into Mobile Bay under my command, I desired to know what arrangements were indispe~~sably requisite. The following* is Major Leadbetters reply. I have directed him at once to place Fort Gaines in a defensible position. W. J. HARDER, IF Colonel, C. & Army. LOUISVILLE, April 23, 1861. (Received 9.20 oclock.) President DAVIS or SECRETARY OF WAR: One thousand abolition troops actually sent to Cairo yesterday. Five thousand more reported coming to-day. E. M. BRUCE. [4.] NEW ORLEANS, April 23, 1861. Hon L. P. WALKER: A reliable dispatch says Black Republican troops concentrating at Cairo to stop provisions. One thousand there now; 10,000 in a day or two. This is reliable. Shall we retaliate ~ THO. 0. MOORE. [4.] NASHVILLE, April 23, 1861. L. P. WALKER: A dispatch was received here this morning from a reliable man that 700 U. S. troops, with five L~4-pounder gunM, landed at Cairo this morning. ISHAM G. HARRIS. [4.] MEMPHIS, April 23, 1861. L. P. WALKER: I have just received reliable iiiformation ot the arrival of a regiment of Federal troops at Cairo. H. D. BAUGH, [4.] Mayor. * Preceding Page 67 Ca& p. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 67 MEMPHIS, April 23, 1861. L. P. WALKER: Troops concentrating rapidly at Cairo. We in tist have heavy ord- nance and some one to work it. Our reliance is on you. Let me know what you can do. SAM. TATE. [4.] MONTGOMERY, April 23, 1861. SAMUEL TATE, Memphis: Have sent you ordnance and an engineer officer and 1,500 muskets. L. P. WALKER. [4.] MEMPHIS, April 23, 1861. L. P. WALKER: Federal troops are rapidly concentrating at Cairo, having heavy ord- nance, horses, & c. The number is hourly increasing, and several thou. sand will soon arrive. Cairo is now blockaded, and it is very probable a descent will be made upon Memphis and the Mississippi towns. The hour has arrived for prompt and energetic action. J. M. GONDER, C. DE LOACH, [4.] Committee Board of Safety. JACKSON, Miss., April 24, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER: I have come here accredited from the Governor of Kentucky for arms. Mississippi has none to spare. We have plenty of men and money. We have no heavy ordnance, and only 10,000 muskets. Ken. tacky is all right, l)ut powerless for the want of arms. Can you let us have, for friendship or money, ordnance and 10,000 stand of armsl Answer me Saint Charles Hotel, New Orleans. [4.] L. P. BLACKBURN. WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Montgomery, April 24, 1861. B. W. SHARP, Esq., Comm bus, Iim~.: SIR: Iii relation to your tender of a regiment, through the President, to this Department, I am instructed by the Secretary of War to say that you are doubtless aware by this time of the co-operation of Ken- tucky with this Government in our military movements. The Secre- tary, therefore, begs leave respectfully to refer you to His Excellency Governor Magoffin. I have the honor to be, your Qbedieilt servant, 1~] JOHN TYLER, JlI Page 68 68 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. GALT HOUSE, Louisville, April 24, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER, & cretary of War: SIR: On my arrival here I found no difficulty in obtaining men for enlistment in the regular service but the want of authority to act iii the legal form. Not having it, I am forced to report to you the cause of my not proceeding with the men to Montgomery at once. I had an interview with Governor Magoffin last night, and he gave me full per- mission to enlist as many as I desired, althong~i he has within the last three days discountenanced mcii leaving the State, owing to an antici- pated necessity for their immediate service at home. If a recruiting officer was sent herc I have not the least doubt that all the men required could be enlisted in a very short time. Another cause of difficulty with me has been that the railroad directors have determined to afford trans- portation free to Nashville alone to those who are ordered by the South- em Government, with consent of the Governor of this State for their transmission. Having thus stated the reasons why I am unable to take the men I proposed to Montgomery, it may enable you to act in the future with a better knowledge of the condition of things at this place. The complete changes in the aspect of affairs here, and the hourly anti- cipation of an attack from Cincinnati, together with the defenseless con- dition of the State, which nothing but the present stirring times has brought to light since my absence from the city, has caused me to be somewhat misled. I however reiterate that ii authority is sent here for enlistment, together with the proper knowledge of the pay of non-coin- missioiied officers and privates, there will not be the slightest difficulty. I would advise that an officer well knowim to the people of this sectiG-n be ordered here in preference to a stranger. I am, sir, with respect, yours, & c., ST. GEORGE CROGHAN. [First indorsernent.i Referred to Adjutant-General, suggestively. [L. P. WALKER.] [Second indorsement.] ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERALS OFFICE, April 30, 1861. Two officers (Lieutenant Hood and Lieutenant Bullock), both of Ken- tucky, have been assigned to recruiting duties at Louisville, nnder the superintendence of Capt. T. H. Taylor, appointed from that State. It is believed this arrangement will suffice for the purpose suggested in this letter. Respectfully submitted to the Secretary of War. S. COOPER, [4.] Adjutant and Inspector Ueneral. CONFIDENTIAL.] ~4ASHVILLE, April 24, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER, Secretary ~f War, C. S. A.: DEAR SIR: I have just returned from Louisville, where I was sent by Governor Harris to look to the safety of that frontier and concert means of defense with Governor Magoffin on the Mississippi. I had a long and coimfidential interview with Governor Magoffin. Magoffin is Page 69 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-CONFEDERATE. 39 patriot, an(I when he is prepared for resisting an invading force he ~vi1l act with bol(lness and promptitude, as I fully believe. He is, however, in a very helpless condition. He has only about 4,000 arir~s (01(1 IIUUS- kets rifled) and no heavy artillery, but has sixty five pieces of field artillery. He is without any powder, and no means of getting any. Feeling himself iii a position of great peril, I am satisfied that he has P)r the present made terms with Lincoln by agreeing to occupy neutral ground. His understanding was brought about by Governor Dennison, through Key, of Ohio, as the agent. He would irot agree to erect bat- teries anywhere, as he thought that would be regarded as a breach of his neutral ground, nor would he agree that others should do so. The consequence is that Columbus, on the Mississippi, will remain iu its present exposed condition. By order of Governor Harris I proceed in the morning to Memphis and other points on the Mississippi to 1)nsh up the work of constructing batteries; two, one at Randolph and the other five miles by land above Memphis, which, when completed and armed and manned, will effectu- ally command that river and make it impossible for the forces of Lin- coln to pass below that pointRandolph. I will also cut off the railroad communication from Columbus down into Tennessee, either by bringing south all the locomotives and rolling-stock of the company, or else by destroying the bridges, & c. You may rely ~1)0ii that work being well done before I leave that end of the State. Our people are rapidly organizing, and we will in a short time have an immense force in the field; but though Governor Hai-ris has made extraordinary exertions, he is still unable to arm them. Our Legislature meets to-morrow, and I have myself drawn a bill (which we think can push right through) empowering the Governor to raise 50,000 volunteers and appropriating ~5,000 ,000, and if necessary to call out the whole military force of the State, so that Tennessee will be seen to be in earnest. Your dispatch to Governor Harris asking for troops was submitted to me. and I did not hesitate to advise him to respond promptly to your call, which was done. Bell, in a public speech, has at last come out fully for the South. He held back as long as public opinion would tolerate him. We are now united in Middle and West Tennessee, and we think East Tennes- see will soon be so, or nearly so. Etheridge attempted to make a speech at Paris yesterday, but was prevented by the people after a short con- flict with j)i5t015, in which four mcmi were wounded and one killed. Johnson has at last returned to East Tennessee, and had his nose pulled on the way; was hissed and hooted at all along on his route. Knowing how well you and the President will enjoy these inanifesta- tions of popular favor to the Senator, I hope you will pardon me for troubling you with the narrative. His power is gone, aird henceforth there will be nothing left but the stench of the traitor. After what 1 have said above I need scarcely caution you against confiding your secrets or movements to Governor Magoffin until he gets his household better regulated. lie is surrounded by Black Republicans, and they know everything that passes on the wires to him. Beware, therefore! I condemn and utterly abhor his nentral policy, or rather his alliance with Lincoln; but yet I aum satisfied that he will ultimately break the shackles with which he is now manacled. At present, however, we need not count upon his co-operation in anything. Lincoln is concentrating a large force at Cairo, cutting off supplies and isolating Missouri. The force is armed with everything iimdicatin Page 70 70 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. a purpose to advance into the interior, and I think he intends advanc- ing a column upon West Tennessee, to meet an(1 arrest which I go there. With great respect, (liD. J. PILLOW. [4.] NASHVILLE, April 24 1861 (Received 7.20 oclock.) L. P. WALKER: What kind and how many cannon have you seiit, and where from0? Let me know at Atlanta also whether we can get 1,000 or 2 00() I am on my way to Charleston. rifles. SAM. TATE. [4.] JACKSON MIss Hon. L. P. WALKER: K., April 25, 1861. Twenty companies rendezvous at Corinth on Wednesday next. Can they be mustered into service there I I am calling (ut troops for defense of Mississippi River. They will soon be ready to move anywhere up the river the President may order. JOHN J. PETTUS. [1.] MEMPHIS, April 25, 1861. L. P. WALKER: Five thousand troops at Cairo looking this way. Troops arriving there daily. R. D. BAUGH, [4.] Mayor. MONTGOMERY, April 25, 1861. His Excellency ISHAM G. HARRIS, Go vernor of the State of Tennessee, & e.: SIR: Being animated by an earnest desire to unite and bind together th~ Confederate States of America and the State of Tennessee by the most friendly ties, I have appointed Henry Washington Hilliard, one of our most esteemed and trustworthy citizens, as special commissioner to the State of Tennessee, and I have now the honor to introduce him to you, and to ask for him a reception and treatment corresponding to his station and to the purpose for which he is sent. I have invested him with full power and authority for and iii the name of the Confederate States to confer with you concerning all matters and subjects interest- ing to both republics, and to make such arrangements as may be deemed necessary for the common defense, subject to my ratification of the same, by and with the consent of the Congress of the Confederate States. Hoping that through the agency of Mr. Hilhiard the purpose of his mission may be accomplished, I avail myself of this occasion to offer you the assurances of my distinguished consideration. JEFFN DAVIS. [4. Page 71 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 71 MONTGOMERY, April 25, 1861. His Excellency IsnAM G. HARRIS, Governor, d~c.: SIR: In reply to your letter of the 20th instant, handed to inc by Hon. W. C. Whitthorne, and for the purpose of conferring with you in relation to the matters to which it refers. I have the honor to send you the Hon. H. W. Ililliard, who is fully informed as to the views of this Government and possesses my entire confidence. Cordially recipro- catin g the wish with which you conclude your letter, I have the honor to be, & c., I~~J JEFFN DAVIS. MONTGOMERY, April 25, 1861. General BRAGG: A vessel (the Oriental) passed Apalachicola yesterday, supposed to carry dispatches to the fleet. L. P. WALKER. [1.] WAR DEPAWVMENT, C. S. A., Montgomery, April 26, 1861. His Excellency A. B. MOORE, Montgomery, Ala.: SIR: In addition to the tw6 regiments for which I made requisition a few days since and directed to rendezvous at Lynchburg, Va., I now have the honor to request that you organize one regiment intended for service at Pensacola. In this regiment there must be one company of cavalry and one company of light artillery. The remaining companies must be infantry. Presumiig that it would be altogether agreeable to Your Excellency, I have said to Captain Ketchum, of Mobile, that his compaiiy of artillery would be accepted, and it has been accordingly equipped by this Government, and is now ready for service. 17 have the honor to be, very respectfully, [1.] L. P. WALKER. NEW ORLEANS, April 26, 1861. (Received 6.35 oclock.) L. P. WALKER: Can you let Kentucky have four nnmnouiited guns from Baton Rouge? L. P. BLACKBURN. [4.] (From Governor Magoffin.) LOuISvILLE, Ky., April 26, 1861. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War C S A SIR: in accordance with your request 1 communicate, to yon on my return, as I can do so more fully and with less hazard than by telegraph. I inclose this to you in carO of Mr. Edward S. Ruggles, whom I regard as worthy of confidence. My father resigned April 9, and awaits orders from the United States Govern meiit. I have sent Mr. 1~uggles to inter- cept him on his return and warn him to avoid a Northern Iort. You Page 72 72 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. friendly advice is solicited for him on this mission. J saw Governor Magoffin to-day (I arrived last night), and he told me of his reply coup municate(1 to you by messenger. He is satisfied that any precipitate action on the part of our friends will react and damage us. The State is unarmed, with a border of 700 miles exposed to a furious foe. That such is the case is the fault neither of the Governor nor of our party, but of those false leaders and imbeciles who preferred party advantage to the safety of our Commonwealth. Our military organizations are being perfected, but we are badly armed, and I regret to say that other coin- panies are being enrolled hostile to the South, and I fear equipped with Federal gold. The Governor is trying, however, to iiitrust our State arms only with the loyal men. The Journal and Democrat are Lincoln papers. The sentiment of the Southern State-rights men is opposed to taking action until Kentucky is armed and organized. I cannot say that my judgment disapproves of this, however my heart may point. An unarmed people is a mob. Trust a little to time. and be not dis- trustful of men who have so much at stake as the Kentucky patriots. Four hundred men left here yesterday for Virginia. I learn from Col. John S. Williams (known as Cerro Gordo Williams), lately a citizen of Southern Illinois, that he has been compelled to abandon his large estate there, and that Kentuckians are no longer safe there. He has come home to excite our people to war. The Saint Louis Arsenal has iu it about- 1,800 regulars, and some 6,000 Germans are armed and equipped in its immediate vicinity. Colonel Stewart (late paymaster) is the authority for this. He also informs us that Cairo has a strong body of troops stationed there, who compel all boats to round to. The roads to Saint Louis are in the hands of the Illinois (Lincoln) volunteers. In consequence of this Major Clark remains here. We hope to have his assistance in organizing our artillery and ordnance here. In Nashville he was waited on by citizens for the same purpose. Tennessee will secede immediately. If I can be of service to the cause of Southern rights, you cau com- mand, yours, with very great respect, WM. PIIEST& N JOHNSTON. [4.] Hon. L. P. WALKER: NASHVILLE, April 26, 1861. A boat bound from Saint Louis to Nashville, with powder and lead on board for Tennessee, was capture(1 by the steamer Swallow near Cairo, said to be by order of the Governor of Illinois. Is it absolutely necessary that you withdraw 1 500 of the 3,000 guns sent me from Louisville l [4.] ISHAM G. HARRIS. MEMPHIS, April 26, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER: I am here by order of Governor Harris to superintend the defense of this end of the State. As soon as I can possibly see matters here safe I return to Nashville. This city is in a mos4 defenseless condition for want of arms. The batteries are progressing rapidly under the direc- tion of Captain Stockton, but for want of small-arms we cannot arm even a sufficien t protecting force. Your dispatches ordering back 1,500 of the 3,000 muskets have been shown me, and the object of thi Page 73 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 73 dispatch is to ask if you cannot countermand that order; if not, the guns will be returned immediately, but, if it be t)ossible, for you to do so. The public safety of ~this city and the river front require the use of more arms. Please say immediately. I wrote fully from Nashville. GID. J. PILLOW. [4.] MONTGOMERY, April 26, 1861. General PILLOW, Memphis: You can retaiii the 3,000 muskets. In addition to the large guns heretofore sent you, I have this (lay ordered four 32-pounders to go for- ward. I feel a deep interest in the defense of Memphis, and will do everything to render it secure. L. P. WALKER. [4.] MEMPHIS, April 26, 1861. L. P. WALKER: Randolph is the most eligible situation for a battery to protect Mem- phis. C~ptaiu Stockton considers his instructions as restricting him to a point nearer Memphis. Will you authorize him to exercise his own judgment and construct at Randolph~ GID. J. PILLOW. [4.] SAINT CLOUD, Nashville, April 26, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER, ~S1ecretary of War: DEAR SIR: You see I have taken the liberty to call our regiment the Walker Legion in compliment to you. We will try and make it wear with honor and win for the distinctive name a chapter in history for us to be proud of. it will be ready to leave for Lynchburg next week, without unforeseen detention. One battalion already uniformed, the other in process. From the wording of your dispatch to Harris I cannot tell whether our commissions are to be signed by him or your Government, as we go into your service under Letchers call. You did not say whether camp equipage, & c., will be furnished in Lynchburg or at this place. If here, it may cause detention. Under whose command are we to go ~ I should like to have some artillery attached to the Walker Legion if agreeable to your Government. Major Gorgas said he could supply me if you would direct it. Give a field battery and flying artilleryone to Maj. Pete Turney and one to inc. Let me hear Loin you in regard to our commissions, the artillery, and who is to command us. I can get up two artillery companies, undrilled I mean. It would amuse you to see how many gentlemen of leisure are willing to serve your Government, but every one thinks he ought to be a major- general. Some of them are those who a month ago denounced you as rebels and traitors who should be hung. They are easily whipped in, now the popular tide is with us. If there is any information I can give you about aspirants from this State, and 1 know them all, as soldiers and politicians, your kindness to me, when in Montgomery, by talkin Page 74 74 Sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. freely and promptly, will induce me to do so confidentially and without reserve. Our Legislature met to-day and is now in secret session. I think it will at once l)~S5 an ordinance of se~ession and refer it to the people, who will ratify it in spite of Johnson, Nelson, Stokes, and others. John Bell, Andrew and Ed. Iwing spoke here night before last. They are nearly right; so are Bailie Peytoii and ex-Governor Campbell. They want to help the South, but not in favor of uniting with it yet. I think I see a dagger behind that smile in the shape of a central republic; but we will grind out the idea; it has 110 lodginent with the masses. You will do me a favor by answering this if time will permit. If not, reply to ihy interrogations as well as you can in brief by tele- graph, and oblige, Yours, & c., WM. B. BATE. P. S.My compliments to Mrs. Walker. [4.] B. Governor ISHAN G. HARRIS, MONTGOlVEERY, April 27, 1861. Nashville, Teum: Have countermanded the order directing the return of 1,500 muskets; so you ~et the 3,000. On yesterday ordered, in addition to guns already sent, four 32-pounders to Memphis. Let me know in time when your regiment will be ready. Arms have been sent for them to Lynchburg. L. P. WALKER. [4.] NASHVILLE, April 27, 1861. General WALKER: DEAR SiR: The Legislatuye is iu session with closed doors. There is, however, a large majority for passing the ordinance of secession and submitting it to the people for ratification. It will be ratified. I sup. pose they will ratify your Constitution, and submit that question sepa. rate from the other. The volunteer companies will be very numerous; not less than 200, and 400 if necessary. The speedy union of the whole South is now being comprehended, and regarded as necessary to pre- vent invasion. You may now rely on Arkansas and Tennessee, and this will leave Kentucky, Missouri, and Maryland. These must come very soon. When all are united success and victory in arms are certain; we are invincible. The Army of the South will be as large as the means of handling it. I will keep you advised of the progress of secession here. Andy Johnson must sink to infamy if he gets justice. There is a regiment of Kentucky troops here going to Virginia. This county, with all the opposition which has been made, will have 4,000 troops ready very soon. One of our boats was robbed yesterday at Cairo of powder and lead ordered by the Governor from Missouri. This comes like hot shot, and strengthens every movement, but diminishes ammunition. The spirit here is, Strike at Washington City. Batter down the White House, because it is desecrated and disgraced, and take the scalp of the buffoon from Illinois. If a battle of magnitude must come, Tennessee expects President Davis to command in person. With our railroads and perfect union we are 25,000,000 strong. Yours, very truly, [4.] S. H. COCKRILL Page 75 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETCCONFEDERATE. 75 ORDNANCE OFFICE, W4a~ DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Montgomery, April 29, 18G1. Hon. SECRETARY OF WAR: GENERAL: I think it my duty to call your attention to what seems to me the object of the troops now assembling at Cairo. It is known that 75 000 men have been called out by the United States Executive, and he has probably 5,000 regulars disposable, perhaps more, making an aggregate of at least 80,000. Of this levy the contingents from New England and from New York and Pennsylvania (Eastern) are hur- rying on to Washington. But none of the troops from west of the Alleghanies are known to have gone eastward. The only rendezvous so far heard of is Cairo. As the levies ou the States north and west of the Ohio and Western Pennsylvania must amount to quite one-half of the whole number, it is fair to presume that 40,000 men are hasten- ing to the Ohio, while the other half of the levy is covering Washington. Assume that they are concentrating at Cairo. as information leads us to suspect, what can be the object of assembling so formidable a force ~ Not certainly to hold Cairo and cut off the communication with Saint Louis. So great a force can have but one objectto descend the Mississippi, take New Orleans, and with the co-operation of a fleet besiege and take Forts Saint Philip and Jackson. There would be no need of protecting their communications, because they would make the fleet their base of operations, and, with New Orleans in their possession, would be unassailable. To avoid so great a calamity it would be nec- essary to fortify some point, as Columbus or Richmond (sixty or sev- enty miles above Memphis), lining the banks of the river with cannon and covering them with land-worksan intrenched camp capable of holding 30,000 men. With this the passage of the river could not be effected, and there would be no use in tnt ning such a work, since noth- ing could be effected below it without a flotilla. Respectfully, your obedient servant, J. GORGAS, [4.j ,Major, & c., in charge of Engineer Bureau. EXECUTIVE OFFICE, Jackson, Miss., April 29, 18G1. Hon. L. P. WALKER, Montgomery, Ala.: SIR: Mr. A. D. Bright, of West Tennessee, visits Montgomery for the purpose of procuring arms for the defense of West Tennessee and the Mississippi River. I think it a matter of vital importance to put arms in the hands of the people of West Tennessee and West Kentucky. Very respectfully, JOHN J. PETTUS. [4.] HOTEL, April 29, 1R61. [Brig. Gen. G. T. BEAUREGARD:] DEAR GENERAL: I take pleasure in presenting Colonel Tate, from Memphis, to you. He comes from the Governor of Tennessee, and urges four 24-pounders as essential to defend them above Memphis. If you think we can spare three or four 24-pounders, I am willing; sa Page 76 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [ChAP. LXIV. three 24-pounders and one 24-howitzer. Let n~e know. Recollect I want to go Thursday with you to Beaufort to examine into what we need there. But I am willing to do anything that you will advise for the present. Truly, [4.] F. W. PICKENS. NASHVILLE, TENN., April 29, 1861. Hon. ROBERT TooMBS, Secretary of State: SIR: Under instructions from the Government, I left Montgomery on Thursday evening and arrived at this place on Saturday. Governor Harris having been informed of my arrival, gave me an interview promptly, and I had the honor of delivering- to him my letter of credence from the President. He gave me a warm reception, and expressed his gratification at my mission at this important conjuncture. The infor- mation which he gives me is of the most important and satisfactory character, and he will heartily co-operate with me in accomplishing the objects of my mission. The Legislature assembled in accordance with his proclamation, and upon receiving his message, resolved forthwith to go into secret session. It was thought best also to withhold the mes- sage from publication; the Governor has, however, submitted a copy to me. He recommends that the connection of Tennessee with the Federal Union be formally annulled in such manner as shall involve the highest exercise of sovereign authority by the people of th~ State, and best secure that harmony so much to be desired, in times like the present, upon questions of even mere details. * * * Therefore I respectfully recommend the perfecting of an ordinance by the General Assembly formally declaring the independence of the State of Tennessee of the Federal Union, renouncing its authority, and reassuming each and every function belonging to a separate sovereignty; and that said ordinance, when it shall have been thus perfected by the Legislature, shall at the earliest practicable time be submitted to a vote of the peo- ple, to be by them adopted or rejected. * * * ~~f therefore further recommend that you perfect an ordinance, with a view to our admission as a member of the Southern Confederacy (which it is evident must soon embrace the entire slave-holding States of the South), to be submitted in like manner, at the same time, but separately, for adoption or rejec- tion by the people; so that they may have the opportunity to approve the former and reject the latter, or adopt both, as in their wisdom may seem most con sistent with the future welfare of the State. However fully satisfied the Executive and Legislature may be as to the urgeiit necessity for the speedy adoption of both these propositions, it is our duty to furnish the amplest means for a fair and full expression of the popular will. The object of the Governor in recommending separate ordinances is to secure beyond all possibility of doubt the speedy secession of Ten- nessee from the Government of the United States. The Legislature will within the present week carry out these recommendations of the Governor, and the first proposition will be ratified by an overwhelming popular vote. As to the second, which provides for the admission of Tennessee as a member of the Confederate States, there will be decided opposition, for many desire to establish a middle comifederacy, formed of the border States, as they are termed. You will readily comprehen Page 77 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 77 that personal considerations influence opinion to some extent in regard to this measure. From all that I can learn, however, I do not doubt that the people, by a large majority, will vote to add Tennessee to her sister States of the South. A number of the leading men here have already called on me, and they favor it. The Governor warmly advo- cates it in his message and in conversation. He is unwilling to inter- pose a convention between himself and the people, and therefore pro- poses to decide the question in the way suggested. A great change has taken place in public sentiment here within a few days, and the feeling in favor of our Government rises into enthusiasm. The flag of the Confederate States floats along the line of travel, from public resi- dences and public buildings, and in this city it is largely displayed. So soon as the ordinances referred to shall pass the Legislature I shall coiifer with Governor Harris as to measures for bringing the State into such relations to our Government as may insure thorough cooperation, and facilitate the admission of Tennessee as a member of the Confederacy. I shall be pleased to have your views as to the proper steps to be taken by the State, in order to secnre a speedy admission. The Legislature will mature, within the present week, a law for the military organization of the State, and will, I am informed, appropriate ~5 ,000 ,000 or that object. The State is very deficient in arias and ammunition, and the greatest anxiety is felt to obtain them; any amount of money can be raised for that purpose. It is proposed to bring into the field from 20,000 to 25,000 troops, and to provide as many more as a reserved force. The spirit of the people is roused, and the war popular beyond description. By existing laws the Governor has no authority to send troops beyond the limits of the State, but the Legislature will authorize him to order them to any point, and iii antici- pation of this, or under the pressure of affairs, Governor Harris is now sending troops into Virginia. The greatest activity is displayed in pro- viding military stores, and our Government is looked to eagerly to sup- ply them. I do not know to what extent that can be done, and shall be pleased to have early and precise information on the subject. Some 200 tons of lead and other stores intended for this State fell into the hands of the Federal troops at Cairo a few days since. A remarkable transaction, by the way, for the Government at Washington, having made a requisition on Tennessee for troops, surely should allow them to receive munitions of war. Professing to regard Tennessee as loyal, its agents intercept military stores ordered by the Governor. That act has roused the people, for the free navigation of the Missis. sippi is a matter so important to the people of this State that they have embodied a declaration that it shall forever remain so in their organic law. The leading men here have generally called on me, and I am warmly welcomed. I have not lost the opportunity of making an impression favorable to our Government, and I do not doubt a speedy accomplishment of the objects of my mission. Our Constitution is highly approved, and the conduct of our Government inspires respect and admiration. The Kentucky troops tendered to our Government are at this time in the city. They make a fine appearance and are eager for action. I learn that the people of Kentucky want arms. If they had them that State would promptly throw off the authority of the Government at Washington. The Governor will to-day, in a special message, communicate to the Legislature the fact and object of my mission. I was invited to deliver a speech iii the Capitol on Saturday eveningindeed, bills were posted throughout the city stating that I would do sobut I declined, preferrimig to wait for an introduction t Page 78 78 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. the Legislature before addressing the public. I shall hope to receive such instructions from you as may enable me fully to carry out the wishes of our Government. I have, & c., [4.] HENRY W. HILLLARD. MEMPHIs, April 29, 1861. L. P. WALKER: I am here for the purpose of procuring arms for defense of counties in Kentucky bordering on the Mississippi and mouth of Ohio. We are without means of defense and depend upon sister States for aid. I have letter from J. C. Breckinridge on the subject, asking this aid. Can you sell or loan us 5,OO() stand, or how many U? It is of greatest importance that we should have them for immediate protectibn. No arms can be had here. OSCAR TURNEB, [4.] Of Ballard County. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Montgomery, Ala., April 30, 1861. Hon. IL. P. WALKER, Secretary of War: SIR: I have the honor to inclose to you a letter* from General Duff C. Green, Mobile, for your consideration. I have received within the last few days several letters of a similar character from respectable citizens of that city. It is manifest that they are uneasy in regard to their situation, and that they believe that sufficient preparations have not been made for the defense of the city. I am unable to say of my own knowledge whether these fears are well grounded or not, but sup- pose there must be soume just reasons for their apprehensions. You no doubt have had this subject undeu consideration, and are taking such action in regard to it as you deem necessary. These suggestions may, therefore, be unnecessary, but I trust you will pardon me for calling your attemition to a matter which is deemed of such vital importance by the citizens of Mobile. The State of Alabama is ready to co-operate with the Confederate Government in providing the proper defemises for the harbor and city. Will you do me the favor to advise me what steps have been taken, if any, for this purpose other than the preparations at Fort Morgan U? The great importance of this matter to the State of Alabama will excuse me for making this inquiry, as it is miot intended to imply that the Confederate Government is not discharging its duty toward time common defense of all the Confederate States. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. B. MOORE. [1.] ALABAMA AND FLORIDA RAILROAD COMPANY, Montgomery. Ala., April 30. 1861. President CHARLES T. POLLARD: DEAR SIR: Iii a day or two the road will be completed, and my con- viction of the necessity of having a watch stationed at our principal *Not found Page 79 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 79 bridges, mentioned in a recent conversation, has been strengthened by noticing the arrest of some parties in North Carolina for attempting to destroy the bridges omi the Wilmington and We]doi~ Railroad. It is true our road traverses a friendly territory throughout its entire length, but knowing the unscrupulous character of the enemy with whom we have to deal, and satisfied of the presence amongst us of his einis- saries, who would glory in inflicting on our road an injury, and through it a most severe blow against our Government, I deemed it my duty to call attention to the matter and ask your instructions. As the Govern- niient is so deeply interested in the maintenance of uninterrupted com- munication with Pensacola, the Secretary of War might feel that the most useful disposition which could be made of a portion of the numer- ous volunteers offhring service would be to station a sufficient force at the important bridges, a list of which I append on next page. Very respectfully, SAML. G. JONES, Chief Engineer. First bridge across Pine Barren Creek, 25 miles above Pensacola, 700 feet long; next bridge across Canoe Creek, 38 miles above Pensa- cola, 300 feet long; next bridge across Escambia River, 44 miles above Pensacola, 2,000 feet long; next bridge across Little Escamnbia, 47 miles above Pensacola, 500 feet long; next bridge across Burnt Corn, 55 miles above Pensacola, 1,000 feet long. There are other bridges over Murder Creek and Sepulga and about 1,100 feet in length, but they are so far in the interior that I do not apprehend much trouble; but from Pen~cola to Burnt Corn the railroad runs parallel with the Big Escani- bia for a few miles distant, and an enemy under the guise of a timber trader might prowl around in the neighborhood of the road and do any amount of mischief without much probability of detection, unless in the manner suggested, by having a guard stationed at the bridges. S. G. J. 11.] MONTGOMERY, April 30, 1861. (Received 3.55 p. in.) General BEAUREGARD, Charleston: Please direct the field shot-furnace to be sent to Pensacola. J. GORGAS. [1.] NASHVILLE, April 30, 1861. L. P. WALKER: Give Governor Harris power to recall Virginia troops if necessary. It will not be exercised unless in extremes. He will be candidate again, I think, and we want him right beyond cavil before the masses. I will be ready to leave Saturday. W. B. BATE. [~ Page 80 80 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. General G. J. PiLLow, Tenn MONTGoMERY, April 30, 1861. Memphis, Capt. Philip Stockton wa.s riot restricted to any particular point above Memphis. If Randolph is the more eligible point, and I am inclined to think it is, he is authorized to erect his batteries at that point. L. P. WALKER. If General Pillow is not in Memphis direct operator to deliver this to Capt. Philip Stockton. [4.] WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Montgomery, May 1, 1861. His Excellency A. B. MOORE, Governor of Alabama: SIR: Your communication of yesterday in relation to the defenses of Mobile Bay and city is before me, and I have to inform Your Excellency that various instructions have been from time to time given by this I)epartment on the subject. In addition to those instructions the Chief of the Bnreau of Engineers and Ordnance has been engaged for two days past, under the examinations and reports received from my officers at Forts Morgan an(l Gaines, in preparing a paper covering the whole ground of these defenses. Rest assured this Department has not been regardless of the apprehensions of citizens herein, but it has acted, and is still acting, with due respect to their wishes. The letter of General Duff C. Green was not inclosed in the envelope covering yours. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, L. P. WALKER. [1.1 ADJUTANT ANT) INSPECTOR GENERALS OFFICE, Col. W. J. HARDEE, ~1fontgomery, May 1,1861. Commanding, & e., Fort Morgan, Mobile, Ala.: COLONEL: You were informed by letter from this office, dated April 17, that your command was extended to Fort Gaines, Grants Pass, and the approaches generally to Mobile. I am now instructed to state that you will consider your command as farther extended to include Grand Bay, Horn Island, and Ship Island, and all the approaches in any way connected with the defense of Mobile, and that you will direct Major Leadbetter, of Engineers, to make a reconnaissance of the same. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. COOPER, [1.] A~jntant and Inspector General. MEMPHIS, May 1, 1861. General SNEED: In disposing of the forces in and about this city it is only necessary at present to have competent artillerists in command of the artillery at Fort Randolph. The works at that position will require, ultimately Page 81 CHAP. txiv.j CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATR. 81 three companies of artillery, there being three batteries constructing there. There is now a fine company in command of the field battery at present at that post. You ought, if you can, to have organized two or three additional artillery companies in the city. Smiths regiment is ordered there as a protecting force for those works and batteries; let it remain there for the present. A company of artillery have been ordered to Fort Harris to man the guns there. It is Captain Warners company. You must have it provided with transportation. Before Captain Patricks company (a part of Colonel Smiths regiment) is removed to Fort Randolph, two companies from this city must take its place. These troops should be constantly drilled and instructed, so as to fit the troops for the field. All the heavy artillery which shall reach thecityfromYirginia and Carolina, thirteen pieces, must be forwarded to Fort Randolph. When those works are completed, your attention should be given to the organization of companies and manning the batteries at Randolph, so as to have all the gnus in working order. There is one 8 inch howitzer gun at Fort Harris which should be removed to the works at Randolph, so as to have a heavy armament at that place. For the ultimate protection of these works and this city, there should be stationed at that post four pieces of field artillery, to be stationed in the open field on the bluff, and two regiments of infantry. In meeting the wants of the service of subsistence, for which $10,000 is at present provided on the branch of the Bank of Tennessee, your quartermaster and commissary must bring his checks to you that you may indorse your approval on them. If other dispositions should be required of the forces, or organizations should be needed, I will promptly commu- imicate with you from Nashville. GID. J. PILLOW, [4.~ General, Commanding. MEMPHiS, May 1, 1861. L. P. WALKER: Could you assist Kentucky with artillery and small-arms, and to what extent ~ I speak not without authority. I leave for IN ashville to- morrow. GID. J. PILLOW. [4.j MONTGOMERY, May 1, 1861. Governor IsilAxi G. HARRiS, Nashrille: The troops you sent to Virginia you may recall hereafter, if you deem it necessary to do so. Tennessee not being of the Confederate States, her contribution is considered voluntary. L. P. WALKER. [4.] NASHVILLE, May 1, 1861. Hon. H. W. HILLIARD: SIR: Your suggestion that we can probably be supplied with such small-arms as our necessities require relieves us of much painfhl anx- iety on that account. Our people are now volunteering rapidly. Sev- enty-odd companies have already tendered their services, and we 6 U UVOL LII, PT I Page 82 82 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. believe it probable that we shall soon have tendered to the States 25,000 men. Could we obtaii, therefore, 20,000 stand of arms, with accouterments, it would not be too many. Looking to the unprepared condition of Tennessee and Kentucky and the possible contingencies on the northwestern border within a few days, we are of opinion that this amount of arms, if at your disposal, could not be placed in position to do more effective service to the coinmoii cause of the slave-holding States than in the hands of our brave men, eager for the field of action. We beg to say, in conclusion, that promptitude in the supply is regarded here as of much moment. Very respectfully, F. K. ZOLLiCOFFER, W. G. HARDING, Military Board. I fully concur in the above statement. ISHAM G. HARRIS. [4.] NASHVILLE, TENN., May 1, 1861. Hon. ROBERT TOOMBS, Secretary of State: SIR: I had the honor of forwarding to you on Monday a dispatch by William Knox, esq. On Monday the Governor sent a message to the Legislature, informing them of my presence in this city, accredited as the commissioner of the Confederate States; and both Houses imme~ (liately appointed a committee to wait on me and invite me to address them. Yielding to their invitation, I fixed npon 11 oclock on Tuesday as the hour when I would meet the Legislature, in accordance with their resolution, and both branches of that body assembled in the Represent- ative hall at that time to hear me. The doors having beeii thrown open to the public, a very large audience filled the spacious galleries, who manifested their sympathy with the object of my mission by enthu- siastic applause. I addressed the Legislature at length upon the state of the country, and offered an argument in favor of the immediate secession of Tennessee from the Union and the spee~ly accession of the State to our Confederacy. The speech was greeted by the members of the Legislature with vehement applause, rising at times into cheers, and every mention of President Davis and our Government brought out the heartiest demonstrations of approval. A resolution was adopted to-day by both Houses, authorizing the Governor to appoint three com- missioners to conclude with me a convention between the Confederate States and the State of Tennessee, and they will doubtless be appointed forthwith. I do not know to what precise objects they may desire to limit their negotiations, for the ordinance of secession has not yet passed the Legislature. That the ordinance will pass that body within a day or two I do not doubt, but there exists a strong disposition with some of the members those from East rUennesseeto call a convention, and leave to that body the task of adjusting the future political relations of the State with other States. Even Governor Harris, warmly our friend, thinks it possible that may be the better course, with the view of securing unanimity and preventing mischief. That the State will apply for admission into our Confederacy is conceded; the only question is as to the mode of forming the new relations with us Page 83 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 83 The Hon. John Bell, who will not at this time commit himself publicly to that course, has said to me, in private conversation, that the result was inevitable. He sought an interview with me a day or two since, and said to me that Tennessee would certainly become a member of the Confederate States, but that he could not so abruptly change his position as to favor that course immediately; that it would be more dignified to consider the Constitution before adopting it. I endeavored to satisfy him that the exigency would admit of no delay, and that a decided and bold conrse was in every way the better one. The ordi- nance of secession will certainly pass tim Legislature, and I yet hope that the ordinance providing for the admission of the State into our Confederacy will also be adopted, both, of course, to be submitted to a vote of the people for ratification. Andrew Johnson is on the stump in East Tennessee (loing all the mischief possible, and the internal feuds of the politicians in this State have been so fierce that our friends earnestly desire to take sure steps when they do move. I repeat, however, Tennessee will secede from the Union, and will apply for admission into the number of Confed- erate States. It may be well to instruct me with as little delay as possible as to the terms of the convention to be concluded with this State, in the event of the failure on the part of the Legislature to provide for any other steps of admission into our Confederacy than the call of a con- vention for that purpose. I do not know that it ought materially to modify our terms, but in a matter of so much importance it is, of course, proper that I should know the views of our Government as explicitly as possible. I met last night, in the room of Governor Harris, Colonel Lough- borough, of Missouri, a commissioner from that State accredited to the Governor, and he was about to leave this morning, but I prevailed on him to stay, that 1 might have a free conference with him. My meet- ing him was very fortunate, for his object in coming here was to make common cause between Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee for some present course that would protect them while they awaited results. I urged a more decided policy, and requested him to submit to me in writing a statement of the condition of Missouri and of what might be satisfactory to his people. I inclose it, marked No. 1.~ His I)lan was to.visit Governor Magoffin, of Kentucky, after leaving here, but after his interview with me he decided to return home immediately. Just before leaving he informed me that he had narrowly escaped arrest as a spy, information to that effect having actually beemi lodged with the Governor, much to his amusement. It will give yqu some idea of the vigilance of the people here. Colonel Loughborough had been making some.inquiry as to a safe and confidential plan of communicating with Saint Louis, and supposing it mneant mischief, he was promptly reported as a suspicious person. I am confident that Missouri, with proper encouragement, will soon follow the example of Tennessee. Nothing hinders now but the course of Kentucky. The inaction of that State makes Missouri hesitate. Colonel Loughborough speaks in warm terms of the services rendered to Missouri by President Davis while a Cabi- net minister at Washington. Colonel Newman, president of the Senate, has just resigned his seat to go home and organize his regiment, which he tenders to the President for service in the Confederate States. I inclose his letter, marked No. 2.* I also forward a statement from the military board of this place, marked No. 3.t The board is composed of ~Not found. t Probably next, ante Page 84 84 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. gentlemen of high character. Inclosed J send papers* submitted to me, which the Secretary of War may perhaps think worth examination. I write in the greatest haste, for I am closely engaged with the Legisla- ture. The dispatch covering the convention concluded with Virginia has been received. I think Tennessee will adopt the Provisional Con- stitution through its Legislatare. I have, & c., [4.] HENRY W. HILLIARD. JOINT RESOLUTION to appoint commissioners from the State of Tennessee to confer with the authorities of the Confederate States in regard to entering into a military league. Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, That the Governor be, and he is hereby, authorized and requested to appoint three commissioners on the part of Tennessee to enter into a military league with the authorities of the Confederate States and with the authorities of such other slave-holding States as may wish to enter into it, having in view the protection and defense of the entire South against the war that is now being carried on against it. Adopted May 1, 1861. W. C. WHITTUORNE, Speaker of the louse of Representatives. B. L. STOVALL, [4.] Speaker of the Senate. MONTGOMERY, May 3, 1861. General PILLOW, Nashville, Tenn.: Your dispatch of May 1 just received. Will assist Kentucky when advised officially that it is desired. L. P. WALKER. [4.J MEMPHIS, May 3, 1861. L. P. WALKER: We are anxious that you send no more men from Tennessee, Loui- siana, Mississippi, or Arkansas north. We need them here. Cannot you send us some flying artillery l SAM. TATE. [4.] WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., ]If~ntgomery, May 3, 1861. His Excellency Governor PETTUS: SIR: This Department desires to establish a camp of instruction for two regiments of infantry from your State at some point in Marshall or Tishomingo County to be determined by Your Excellency. I have, therefore, to request that you will organize the regiments as soon as possible, and advise this Department of the point designated. They will be mnstered into the service at the place of rendezvous, and when *Not found Page 85 C~& r. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 85 this is done, they will be subject to the orders of this Government. General Clark, who bears this communication to Your Excellency, will inform you as to details. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, L. P. WALKETh MONTGOMERY, May 3, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER: SIR: Would it not be advisable, in view of probable events in West Tennessee and Kentucky, to order to the camp of instruction two or four squadrons of cavalry and a battery of artillery of four or six bronze pieces ~ We can furnish the cavalry immediately, fully armed, and with sabers and pistols and Maynard rifles, if desired. The bat- tery we have complete, except the harness, which is daily expected, and the horses. Very respectfully, & c., GRAS. CLARK, Major- General, Army of Mississippi. We have twelve companies of cavalry, and are preparing for the field thirty field pieces, 6 and 12 pounder howitzers (five of the 6-pounders are rifled cannon), with full supply of balls, shells, & c., for all. We need instruction. [4.] MOBILE,~May 4, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER: We are a committee appointed by the citizens of Mobile to wait on you at Montgomery to represent our exposed condition, to ask for arms and munitions for defense. We leave by first conveyance. Meantime we learn that the State artillery, possessing the only field pieces in the city, are ordered off. We protest against it in the name of a defenseless community and millions of property at the mercy of the enemy. JOHN FORSYTH. T. J. BUTLER. [1.1 L. W. LAWLER. MILLEDGEVILLE, May 4, 1861. (Received 5th.) L. P. WALKER: Do you prefer that the regiment asked for on Monday last rendez- vous at Macon or go immediately by companies without delay to Pen- sacola ~ Will you permit them to elect field officers there if they go immediately l I cannot supply tents, knapsacks, and accoutenments to all. Please see that they are supplied. Answer immediately. JOS. E. BROWN. [1.] NASHVILLE, May 4, 1861. General J. L. T. SNEED: DEAR SIR: I was sorry I could not have seen you again before I left Memphis. I desired to call your special attention to the fact that Col Page 86 86 Sw. VA., ICY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. E. Pickett had drawn 1,000 muskets, State arms, for his regiment of home guards. Home guards are not entitled to (Iraw arms, and Colonel Pickett promised me to return the arms to Col. W. H. Hunt, ordnance officer. I hope you will see that this is done without (lelay. The arms must be returned. Colonel Walker drew the same number of muskets, and afterward tendered his regiment for active service. I hope you will see that in reorganizing his regiment that none of the muskets be lost. See Walker and urge him to hold on to all his muskets for active- service men. Captaiu Somerville drew 100 muskets for his company, and you will do well to urge him to take good care of them until he is called into service. Captain Hunt drew 100 niuskets, and since my depar- ture from Memphis changed their purpose, and [they] are now in this city on their way to Virginia. These guns will be returned by Adams Express, in charge of Col. W. iR. Hunt, of your city. The only remain- ing company to whom I delivered arms was Captain Martins, now in active service in Colonel Smiths regiment. I deemed it proper to give you these suggestions. I have every confidence in your sound discre- tion iii managing all these matters. Be sure to take care of the arms until the meii are placed in camp for regular training. The military fire is burning finely here~ and a number of regiments are being organ- ized for active service. I am satisfied more men will be offered than will be needed. The bill is stilt before the Legislature, and everything is secret. It is believed that the action of the Legislature will be made public by Tuesday next. Let me hear from you. Yours, very respectfully, [4.] 5. 11. ANDEIISON. MONTGOMERY, May 5, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War: DEAR SIR: The temior and source of my coin immnications from Mobile leave no doubt but the dangers of an attack upon that city in its pres- ent defenseless condition are such as should demand the speedy and earnest attention of your Department. That Mobile would be embraced within the programme of Mr. Lincolns operations is manifest fi-om the fact that the custom-house there and Mount Vernon Arsenal have been seized by Alabama and are held by the Confederate States. That there is no lack of desire to punish Mobile is alike evident. If so, the appre- hensions of our best menthose who are not easily alarmedare well founded. The capture of Mobile would, of course, be a heavy blow on the Confederate States. Our people are unprotected from an attack, and any one at all acqnainted with the approaches to the city knows a successful one can be made. Without repeating what I have more than once repeated, I beg to earnestly draw the attention of the Department to this matter, and to ask for such efficient preparations as shall hold out to our people at Mobile some reasonable prospect of resisting an attempted invasion. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, H. H. SMITH. P. S.I should be pleased to learn the decision of the Department at an early day, that I may communicate it to our peoPle that they may be relieved from anxiety and suspense, which is far greater tban you may suppose. [1. Page 87 Ca& r. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 87 MONTGOMERY, May 6, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER, & cretary of War: 1 have been endeavoring to see you since early in the morning, to know if something could not be done to allay the fears (and I think just ones) of the citizens of Mobile on account of the exposed situation of that city. You will see from the inclosed telegraph that greaat alarm prevails there. I also. understand that a town meeting has been held, and that a committee is now on the way here to lay this matter before you. On Saturday I, at your own request, sent a memoraudum of a plan of defense for the city and bay of Mobile, and also of the adjoin- ing Gulf coast. As it may not now be in the power of your Depart- ment to organize the force for the defense of the coast on the plan proposed, I beg that yon will at least order Colonel Hardee torthwith to erect batteries at Grants Pass, the east end of Danphin Island, and at Choctaw Point. There are 24 and 32 pounders at Fort Morgan not mounted that can be used for the batteries at Grants Pass and Dauphin Island, and the two long brass 24-pounders at Mount Fernon will do for the Choctaw Point battery. I also inclose a letter from Co]. H. Maury, of the Second Regiment, asking that the companies of his regi- ment at Pensacola be ordered to join him at Fort Morgan, and suggest- ing that if the force at Fort Morgan is thus increased Colonel Hardee would be enabled to put the three-years men now in the fort at the batteries above named. I trust that this matter will have your imme- diate attention, and that you will at once, by telegraph, order Colonel Hardee to erect and man the batteries above referred to. My colleague (Mr. Smith) and myself waited two hours this morning to see you on this subject, but as you were engaged with the President, we could not do so. He will also address you a note on this subject, and we will be greatly obliged if you would let ns know what we are to expect from your Department in reference to the defenses of Mobile. With much respect, your obedient servant, C. J. McRAE. [1.] MONTGOMERY, ALA., May 7, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER, & ~cretary of War: M~ DEAR SIR: I learn from the committee of citizens from Mobile that Colonel ilardee thinks lie has not force enough at Fort Morgan to defend that post and also to man the batteries prol)osed to be erected for the defense of the minor channels entering into the bay. It also appears from the letter of Colonel Maury, which I inclosed you yesterday (which Colonel Maury says was written with the approbation of Colonel Hardee), that if the balance of Colonel Maurys command (three com- panies, now at Pensacola) was ordered to Fort Morgan there would be force enough under Colonel Hardee to defend all the points. May I not, therefore, ask you to order the three companies of Colonel Maury 5 regiment now at Pensacola to Fort Morgan, and also to issue a per- emptory order to Colonel ilardee to fortity the entrances to Mobile Bay, as suggested in my letter of yesterday. With these defenses the city would be comparatively safe, as it is not likely that an attack would be made on it by landing on the G ulf coast and then marching by land, without a much larger force than the enemy now have in the Gulf. Yo Page 88 88 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. will be asked for the two long brass 24-pounders now at Mount Vernon by the committee, to have them cast into 6-pounder field pieces. The propriety of this is doubtful. The guns are good ones, and are trophies. They were taken by General Jackson from the Spaniards at Pensacola, and should not be destroyed unless the public service absolutely requires it. Besides, a battery of 6-pounders can be made up for Mobile without this. I hope you will excuse me for being so importunate on the subject of the defenses of Mobile. It is a very important point, and my immediate constituents are deeply interested in it. Besides, it is not quite so big ajob as the creation of the world. A telegraphic dis- patch from you to Colonel Hardee would accomplish the matter in a weekjust the time it took to create the world. Yours, truly, C. J. MciRAE. [1.] NASHVILLE, TENN., May 7, iSGi. Hon. ROBERT TooMEs, Secretary of State, & c.: SIR: I have the honor to inform you that the two ordinances to which I referred in my last dispatchthe one for secession and the other pro- viding for the admission of Tennessee into our Confeteracyhave passed the Legislature by a large majority in both Houses. They are subject to ratification by the people, the vote to be taken on the 8th day of June next. That they will be ratified by an overwhelming majority of the people is not doubted by the best informed men here. The injunction of secrecy has not yet been removed, and the Governor, apprehending that an immediate publication of these important steps would precipitate an attack by the Korthern troops upon the exposed frontier of Tennessee, desired that [ should miot communicate it, even by telegraph, until I could write, nrging an immediate movement on the part of our Government in behalf of the State. Some 10,000 troops are stationed at Cairo, and Governor Harris thinks it of the first imnpor- tance that a considerable body of troops should be ordered to Union City, in this State well armed and prepared for prompt action. The want of arms is the great want; 50,000 troops can take the field in a few days if arms can be supplied, but as it is not probable so large a force will be needed, it is desired that 15,000 stand of small- arms shall be forwarded. The spirit ot the people is fully roused; so popular a war I never saw, nor do I recall any recorded in history that called out a more prompt and uncalculating spirit on the part of the people. The Governor has appointed three commissioners on the part of Tennessee, Mr. Henry, Mr. Totten, and Mr. Barrow, who are authorized to conclude a convention with me similar to that concluded with Vir- ginia. We are about to meet, and I must close this dispatch for that purpose. Of course you will have learned before you receive this that Arkansas has seceded witli but one, dissenting vote. Kentucky only wants arms to take the same step. Missouri is impatient for secession. I await your orders. I shall return home, bearing the convention agreed on with Tennessee, so soon as you direct me to do so. Please notify me by telegraph. I rejoice at the success which has so far attended my mission, and do not doubt its complete success. I have, & c., - HENRY W. HILLIARD Page 89 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC,CONFEDERATE. 89 NASHVILLE, May 7, 1861. General L. P. WALKER: DEAR SIR: Colonel Bate wishes the Enfield rifle with its recent improvements with which to arm his regiment. If you can let him have it without doing injustice to the service of the Confederate States, do so, for he has a gallant command composed of the flower of Middle and West Tennessee. ISHAM G. HARRIS. [4.] MEMPHIS, May 7, 1861. L. P. WALKER: We are satisfied there is danger here from Cairo. You had better concentrate troops in West Tennessee from Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama as early as possible. SAM. TATE. [4.] MOBILE, ALA., May 8, 1861. (Received 12.30 oclock.) Hon. L. P. WALKER: Steamers Dick Keys and Lewis taken by fleet last night. This morning about 7 both started in convoy, supposed by Powliatan, to go westward. ZANTZINGER. [1.] MACON, GA., May 8, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER: I am glad you take the regiment for the twelve months. It was right that it should have been so received. Shall I send them forward to Pensacola as fast as mustered in I JOS. E. BROWN. [1.] MONTGOMERY, May 8, 1861. Governor J. E. BROWN, Macon, Ga.: The regiment rendezvoused at Macon will proceed to Pensacola. Transportation is provided. L. P. WALKER. [1.] MOBILE, May 8, 1861. Hon. L. P. \~YALKER DEAR POPE: This will introduce to you the Hon. B. W. Sharp, mayor of Columbus, Ky., who visits Montgomery with the view of obtaining from our Government, if possible, arms for the defense of Columbus and the adjacent section. He informs me that he has already had some official correspondence with your Department on the subject, and hi Page 90 90 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. representations of the state of things in his locality, the importance of Columbus in a military point of view, will, I have no doubt, indicate the propriety of a compliance with the object of his visit, if within the policy of our Government. I commend Mr. Sharp to your civilities. Yours, truly, PERCY WALKER. [4.] Hon. L. P. WALKER: May 8, 1861. We need temporarily at Memphis the assistance of several good artil- lery officers. If at your disposal, order them to Memphis at once. We are threatened with an early descent down the Mississippi with an armament of floating batteries. ISHAM G. HARRIS. [4.] NASHVILLE, May 9, [1861.1. Hon. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War, C. S. A.: Th6 movements of the enemy in the West indicate very clearly an early descent upon the Mississippi River. Our defenses are not com- pleted, but we will have them I~r enough advanced by the time the enemy is ready to move, and we will have in these works an armament sufficient to command the river. The character of the country for 100 miles above is such as to make it easy for an invading column to advance through Western Kentucky and Tennessee, thus passing entirely to the rear of our works, or to thus turn the works, attack them in reverse, and, if successful, capture our artillery and open the river. Our system of railroads invites this apl)roach. We will of course see that these roads do not aid him. This movement by land to pass to our rear or turn and attack our works must be met. Our available force is at l)resent iiiad- equate for this purpose. Under these circumstances would it not be well to suspend the further movement of Tennessee troops to Yirginia~ A regiment of Arkansas troops (Colonel Flournoys) will be in Memphis on Sunday next, on their march to Virginia. Until we can get better prepared to nieet the enemy in the West, would you allow inc to avail myself of its strength fQr that line until we have had time to get further organization of our own forcesl We have only about 5,000 men under arms, but in twenty days we will have 25,000 ready to receive arms and to take the field if we can get the arms; but we are without a single battery of field artillery. I have been placed by the Governor of Tennessee in command of the forces of Tennessee. The State has empowered the Governor to call into the field 55,000 trooI)5, and appropriated $5,000,000, and the Gov- ernor of Tennessee will, as rapidly as it is possible, meet the l)ublic wants; but until we can call ont this force and fit it for the field, we would be glad if you could find your other wants of a character to allow the use of the means above indicated to strengthen us in the West. These views have been laid before the Governor of Tennessee and meet his approbation. Be good enough to consult the President of the Con- federate States, and advise me on Saturday by telegraphic dispatch of the result, directed to Memphis. The relation that Tennessee now bears to your Government places the military arm of the State at the disposa Page 91 CHAP LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 91 of President Davis; but by the law calling this force into the field it will be proper that your orders should pass through the Governor of Tennessee, or that he should be apprised of your wishes. My knowledge, however, of the Governor of Tennessee satisfies me that he will co-operate most cheerfully with the President in every measure deemed by him essential for the defense of the country. As events press rapidly upon us in the West, and time is not allowed for mail communication through him in reply to this dispatch, your answer by telegram on Saturday is important. With great respect, your obedient servant, GID. J. PILLOW, [~1 Major-General, Commanding the Army of Tennessee. CHATTANOOGA, May 9, 1861. Hon. L~ P. WALKER, & cretary of War, Montgomery, Ala.: M~ DEAR GENERAL: I understand some Enfield rifles have arrived in New Orleans from Europe. If any can be commanded by you it would place us under renewed obligations if you would order 1,000 of them for the use of our regiment. Our men are all from rural dis- tricts and thoroughly understand the use of the rifle, and most of them, being gentlemen of education and pride as well as valor, would take pains in perfecting themselves in the use of that weapon and keep them in order. If that cannot be had, the best weapon which you can corn- mand we will gladly receive. Governor Harris suggests it, and wrote you a hurried note to that effect, which I place, together with this, in the hands of Captain Cluskey (of the Avalanche), which will be handed you by him.* Cluskey has been assigned the duties of quartermaster for our regiment. Governor Harris has the list of those who are to constitute the staff in the command. Mr. Hilliard is along, and together with Cluskey can give you all information respecting the condition of Tennessee, the officers appointed by Harris, & c. General Pillow wanted to keep my command from going to Virginia, but Harris overruled him and bid me go. Our troops were raised for that service on the principle that any dun ghill would fight in his own barnyard; but true valor is required to fight for a neighbor. Pillow has written to the l~resident about it, and his reason to me for wishing to detain us was that we have in the Walker Legion the flower of the State. One hundred and thirty-seven companies have already been tendered to Harris, more than he can arm or have use for, and why detain us~ One or two of my too partial friends, I understand, have written you in regard to seniority of commission, not knowing who would command our brigade, a matter in which, of course, we feel deep solicitude. All that, of course, is submitted without importunity or pretension to your Government. If the Enfleld rifle can be had, please give an order to Cluskey for them. and order them to Lynchbnrg, Va. We will try and not bring reproach upon the name which we have given our regiment. If you can find time to give Cluskey a short letter to me to whoever will be in command of the forces at Lynchburg consistently, I will appreciate it. Tennessee will leave the old sinking ships with a bound on the 8th of June, despite the charlatanism of Andy Johnson. We have several thoroughly educated and experienced physicians in our * See Harris to Walker, May 7, p. 89 Page 92 92 Sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. regiment, and hence Erskines appointment was unexpected, but ilarris and I have agreed upon it, and I will do the best I can, I assure you, for any appointment of yours. I write this hurriedly between the arrival and departure of trains, and just before day. Excuse the haste. My compliments to Mrs. Walker. Yours, truly, [4.] WM. B. BATE. NASHVILLE, May 9, 1861. General WALKER: DEAR SIn: I send a copy of the offer of the capitol of Tennessee to the Southern Confederacy. You will consider this a proposition from Tennessee that this may become the permanent seat of government for the South. Give us arms if you caii possibly do so. The whole State is ready for the field. We intend to stand by Kentucky and bring her in. She is now under duress. When Tennessee and Kentucky are armed, they are a nation in the battle-field. Save oar men as much as possible; they are the flower of the land. Our independence is now certain. Our army is invincible, and if we can avoid the sacrifice of our men we will have nothing to regret. With high regard, yours, S. H. COCKR1LL. [Inclosure.] Resolved by the General Assembly of the state of Tennessee, That in the event the voters of this State decide to assume their independence and adopt the Constitution of the Provisional Government of the Confederate States on the 8th day of June, 1861, then the President, Cabinet, and Congress of the Confederate States, now sitting at Mont- gomery, Ala., be, and the ~same are hereby, invited to the city of Nashville, if the defense of our country in their judgment should make it expedient to do so, and that the capitol is hereby tendered them. [4.] JACKSON, May 10, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER: In a military and political view, arming Northwest Teniiessee is of vital importance to our cause. A few arms sent there instantly, or even encouraging word from the President, of much value to us. Please answer. J. A. POWELL. [4.] JOHN J. PETTUS. NASHVILLE, May 10, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER: It is probable that the north terminus of Louisville and Nashville road will soon be iu hands of the enemy. We are also threatened from Cairo. If you have arms and munitions it is important that we know at once to what extent we be supplied. Col. W. B. Bates regiment started yesterday for Lynchburg. ISHAM G. HARMS. [4. Page 93 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 93 SUPERINTENDENTS OFFICE, MEMPHIS AND CHARLESTON li. Th, EASTERN DIVISION, Huntsville, Ala., May 10, 1861. Hon. A. M. CLAYTON, ]Jiliontgomery: DEAR SIR: I fear the Government at Montgomery does not fully appreciate the danger of our condition in the Mississippi Valley, and especially at Memphis. There are now over 7,000 troops at Cairo, and daily increasing, with large numbers at Indianapolis, Columbus, Cei~- tralia, and other points. In my judgment they intend making a simul- taneous attempt to occupy Saint Louis, Columbus, Ky., Louisville, and other points in Kentucky and Missouri, upon which they will concen- trate large numbers of men, and try and make a rush upon the interior and create a panic among the women and timid men and raise a row among the negroes. My opinion is that not a moment of time should be lost in concentrating every man that can be had in Tennessee, Mis- sissippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Arkansas as near the Kentucky line as we can get, in order to aid Columbus if she desires it. We should have strong defenses also on the river. I write you on the subject, knowing that you feel as iiiuch interest in the matter as I do, and that you may be able to get the President and Secretary of War to order men and. arms to our assistance at once. Delay is dangerous. A first successful effort would greatly damage us. We are manufacturing caps successfully at Nashville. Will commence making powder there in a few days. I go to Memphis to-night. Let me hear from you. In haste, your friend, [4j SAM. TATE. TRENTON, TENN., May 10, 1861. General L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War, & c., Montgomery, Ala.: DEAR SIR: I came to this place, my former residence, a few days since from my plantation in Koxubee County, Miss., and found this whole region in a miserable state of unpreparedness, and totally unable to meet an invasion that is imminently threatened by U. S. troops from the North. There are now at Cairo, the southern point of Illinois, 7,000 men, well armed, having field artillery and plenty of heavy guns, and everything indicates that it is being~made a strong point-dappum, or basis of operations, for an extensive invasion of the country below. It is quite probable that in a few days a force of 20,000 or 30,000 men will be concentrated at Cairo, and in all this section there are only a few half-formed companies of volunteers and home guards, mostly with- out arms of any kind, to meet and repel any attempt at invasion. The defenses being prepared on the Mississippi above Memphis are totally inefficient when the river is down, and it is now rapidly falling. There are at Randolph, the second Chickasaw Bluff, about 1,000 men with two batteries under the bluff, but a force of 1,500 or 2,000 landed a few miles above can easily march around, take possession of the hills that over- look the batteries, and shoot down the men in them like bullocks in a pen. Another fort for the protection of these batteries should be imme- diately constructed, or they will be of little use. In like manner a respectable force can be lauded above Fort Harris and in a few hours be in the city of Memphis, where there are no defenses looking landward. The best defense of Memphis, as well as all points below, on and off the river, may be made at Columbus, Ky. Below the mouth of the Ohi Page 94 94 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. River there is no strategic point of half so much importance, and it should be immediately occupied by a strong force, notwithstanding the neutral position of Kentucky. Self-preservation demands it. A strong fort at that place and an auxiliary one at the old Jefferson Barracks at the mouth of Mayfield Creek, eight miles above Columbus, with sufficient garrison in each, would protect the termiimus of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad and prevent the passage of any but an overwhelm- ing force. If the Government of the Confederate States should not determine to take and fortify Columbus, then a strong force should be immediately sent to Union City, the intersection of the Mobile and Ohio ~vith the Nashville and Northwestern Railroads, and to the point where the former railroad crosses the Obion River, with field artillery and a sufficiency of heavy guns for several strong batteries. The Mississippi and West Tennessee volniiteers should be concentrated at these points. Your Excellency would excuse me for making and urging these sugges- tions did you know the exposed situation of this region, and the greater imminence of the danger from the recent action of the State of Ten. nessee and her alliance with the Confederate States of America. I have the honor to be, with highest respect, your obedient servant, [4.] WM. W. LEE. PRENTISS, Miss., May 10, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER: SIR: The two new regiments (Twelfth and Thirteenth) Mississippi Volunteers are now rapidly assembling at the camp of instruction established at Corinth. I shall be there on Tuesday, the 14th instant, to organize them, cause the rolls to be made oat, and have them ready for your order. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, CHAS. CLARK, [1.] Major- General, Army of Mississippi. MEMPHIS, May 11, 1861. L. P. WALKER: . (Received 12.30 oclock.) Just arrived. Go into camp to-morrow. Will dispatch fully Monday. T. C. IIINDMAN. [4.] MURRAY, KY., May 11, 1861. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War: It is with pain that I acknowledge the necessity which induces me to write you. Our Legislature have so far disgraced themselves and to tIme extent of their power sullied the fail fi~me of Kentucky in not arousing our people and calling a couvention. They are now in session, and I fear will not prove themselves equal to the occasion. I hope they may. Whatever their action may be will be known in a few days. In this end of the State we are entirely Southern. I have advocated secession ever since gallant South Carolina led off. We are compara- tively poor. What we have is in property, and from that source w Page 95 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 95 can raise no money. We are unarmed, comparatively speaking. Should Lincoln attempt to invade the South from Illinois, an intention of which is now evidenced by his concentration of a large body of troops at the month of the Ohio River, we, with arms in our hands, would resist to the death. This purpose of his may not be attempted until fall, owing to the Southern climate, yet I do believe that points in Kentucky will be taken possession of by his troops before theii (to wit), the mouths of the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers and the terminus of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. The importance of those positions being held by friends of the South will be readily perceived by a glance at the map. We do not intend for them to invade Kentucky soil, whether Kentucky, as she should, goes out or not, if we can prevent it. I have spent both time and money in endeavoring to procure arms for this end of the State, and I have so far only succeeded to a very partial extent. With letters from our C overnor, Hon. J. C. Breckinridge, and H. C. Burnett, could I have furnished me arms by your Government for a regiment of 1,000 men, to assist in the defense of Southeastern Kentucky from the vandal tread of the North so long as there may be hope for Kentucky ~ Should we be disappointed in our cherished hope to take both men and arm& i Southern Kentucky is my birthplace, and I should be pained to be exiled from her while there remains a hope of her yet being true to her former character. Please write me, and if arms can be furnished as above indicated, I will visit you immediately. I trust they can be. Address me at Paducah, Ky. Since the action of Virginia I have thought the likeness of Washington should be placed on the flag of the Confederate States. They are entitled to it, and I believe it would have an untold influence with the masses. I hope you may answer me soon. Respectfully, A. P. THOMPSON. [4.] MONTGOMERY, May 11, 1861. Governor PETTUS, Jackson, Miss.: All the arms and heavy guns to spare have been sent in the direction you indicate. [4.] L. P. WALKER. NASHVILLE, May 11, 1861. L. P. WALKER: Can you supply us with a few well qualified ordnance, artillery, and engineer officers ~ We must have them; also cavalry arms and equip ments for one regiment. S. R. ANDERSON. [4.] EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Nashville, May .12, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER: SIR: There is very little doubt upon my mind that the settled pur- pose of the troops at Cairo is at a very early day to take possession of and fortify Columbus, Ky., and make that the base of their operation Page 96 96 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. south. This the people of that part of Kentucky are deter!nined to resist, but unfortunately they have no arms, and we are nuable to aid them in this respect. I am concentrating a force at Union City, so that I can aid them at any moment it may be necessary, but have not arms sufficient for the general purposes of defense. If you have any effective small-arms not in the hands of your troops, it is a matter of the highest importance, both to Tennessee and your Government, that they be placed immediately in the hands of our troops, and when arms can be bought Tennessee will supply herself amply. If you can spare to us arms for this emergency, Colonel Morgan, the bearer of this note, will attend to their immediate shipment. Respectfully, [4.] ISHAM G. HARRIS. HEADQUARTERS, Nashville, ]JiIay 12, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War: DEAR Sin: When Mr. Hilliard left this city he gave Governor Har- ris assurances that as soon as the military league entered into by him, as the representative of the Confederate States, and the commissioners of the State of Tennessee was ratified by the Government at Mont- gomery, Tennessee should be supplied with arnis sufficient to put the State on a war footing~ I trust the work of ratification has been done, and that you are now ready to arm ovir waiting and anxious troops with such weapons as will enable them to teach the base Black Republican invaders a lesson they will not soon forget. We can do literally noth- ing without arms from you. We have at Memphis about 5,000 percus- sion muskets in good order. We have here, say, 3,000 muskets, 1,000 of them rifled, fit for use. Besides these there are in the armory some 4,000 muskets (flints), in a damaged condition and entirely unfit for use at present; they are being repaired, but it will be several months before we can rely upon them. We have nothing for the cavalry service. We are without any artillery force, except th~ small stock at Memphis. Now, my dear sir, this is our condition, and we are ruined unless we have arms furnished us. It is the purpose of the Governor to call out at least 20,000 troops, and double that number if needed. Can you help us~ Our hope is resting upon you. Mr. Morgan will hand you this, avid will attend to the forwarding 01 all and every aid you can furnish us. Let us have arms and ammunition. We desire to put two regi- ments of cavalry in the field as early as possible, but we have no arms for them. Yours, very respectfully, S. B. ANDERSON, [4.] Major-Ueneral, Commanding at Nashville. MONTGOMERY, ALA., May 12, 1861. General S. IR. ANDERSON, Nashville, flenn.: It is iml)ossible to send you either ordnance or engineer officers, but hope to send you artillery officers in a few days, who can perform these duties. [44 L. P. WALKER Page 97 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 97 MEMPHIS, May 13, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER: Can you give Tennessee further assistance in small-arms. Say by telegraph. We are likely to be hard pressed in the West. GID. J. PILLOW, [4.] General, Commanding Army of Tennessee. MONTGOMERY, May 13, 1861. General PILLOW, Memphis: Have sent you all the arms we can spare for the present. Memphis will be supported by troops at Corinth, to rendezvous in a few days. L. P. WALKER. [4.] GENERAL ORDERS, EXECUTIVE DEPT., ADJT. GEN.S OFFiCE, No. 8. MiUedgeviUe, Ga., Miay 14, 1861. I. I am directed by the Governor and commander-in-chief to inform all commanders of companies in this State that their companies will not be permitted to carry with them beyond the limits of the State of Georgia, without the consent of the commander-in-chief, any arms or accouterments of any kind furnished to them by the State nuder his orders, or which belong to the State, or have been procured by their companies at the expense of the State. 11. If the services of companies of this State should be tendered to any other State or government without the previous consent obtained of the commander-in-chief of this State, the co mnmander of the company immediately on the making of such tender will return all arms or accou- terments in its possession belonging to the State, or received by it on the authority of the State, to the arsenal at Milledgeville, and will inform me, by letter, of the time when and the place from which such arms and accouterments were forwarded, accompanied by a particular description of the arms and accouterments so returned. In case of a failure to obey this command suit will be ordered on the bond given by the officers of the company immediately, and they will further be held responsible before the proper military tribunal for its violation. By order of the commander-in-chief: HENRY C. WAYNE, [1.] Adjntant and Inspector General. MONTGOMERY, May 14, 1861. Governor PETTUS, Jackson, Miss.: Please advise me when the two regiments, for which requisition was made by letter sent to General Charles Clark, will rendezvous at Corinth. L. P. WALKER. [1.] 7 R RVOL LII~ PT 1 Page 98 98 SW.VA., KY., TENN., MThS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. MONTGOMERY, lIThy -14, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War: IDEAR SIR: I had a moments interview with the President this morning. He was much hurried, and asked me to lay the subject before you. I proceed to do so with my pen, fearing that you may be too much occupied to permit a personal communication. If no immediate attack or battle is anticipated at Pickens or its vicinity the two regi- ments from Mississippi would greatly desire to go to the place where an attack is soonest expected, and, if possible, to be with or near the President should he go to Virginia or to the scene of action anywhere. They have beeu in service some five or six weeks, are in fine discipline, well drilled, and eager for a chance for distinction. Their great per- sonal regard for the President also makes them wish to be near him. Their positiou at Pensacola can be filled by fresh volunteers, if no battle is to take place there. I do not desire in their behalf nor do they wish me to ask for anything that would be of public detriment. If they could be gratified without injury to the public good at Pensacola, their services might be of public benefit in more active service. Their zeal, their unquestioned coolness and courage, and tlieir devotion to Missis- sippis favorite son, are sufficient guarantees for their doing in the cause all that men can do. I will not press the subject further, but leave it to your own good judgment. They are too true to the canse to murmur at any decision of their superiors. Permit me also to call your atten- tion to the two inclosed letters* from gentlemen of high character at Memphis, with whom you are acquainted, 1 expect, Judge Archibald Wright and Sam. Tate, esq., president Memphis and Charleston Rail- road, both firm men of excellent judgment. Judge Wright thinks they can get any number of men and that they can arm them well, but that they need an able commander and good inferior officers. I am wholly unskilled in these matters, and desire only to call- your earnest atteu- tion to them. That the measures are of great importance no one can doubt. On the subject of subordinate officers pardon a single sugges- tion from me. I have just returned from Pensacola, and was told there by one of the colonels in the volunteer service that there were a num- ber of young lieutenants of the Confederate Army there who had no employment. My son is a new appointee of your Department, a second lieutenant. He has been actively engaged in superintending the con- struction of batteries ever since his appointment. He is now erecting one below Fort MeRee, in order to be in reach of the ships if any fight occurs. When that is finished, I am told, the last one will be com- pleted that is necessary to the defenses there. The officers who are superior to him speak favorably of his labors. When his work is done there he does not wish to be idle, and I know will cheerfully go wherever he is ordered. If such men are needed on the Mississippi River, he might be of service in erecting defenses there. In all these suggestions I am guided solely by a wish to promote the public good. Very sincerely, yours, ALEX. M. CLAYTON. My sons name is Arthur Clayton, and he is now attached to the regi- ment of 1V~ississippi Volunteers under Colonel Chalmers. [1 and 4.] * See Tate to Clayton, May 10, p. 93; the other not found Page 99 CHiP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 99 NASHVILLE, May 14, 1861. General WALKER: DEAR SIR: Preparations are being made rapidly to get ready the forces of Tennessee to maintain the independence of the South. The great trouble is the want of small-arms. The men are here and ready. Tennessee must stand by Kentucky and bring her into position. The Dutch and Yankees in Louisville will sit about and be handcuffed ,but Kentuckians must feel and speak for themselves ere long, and she must and will be for the South. Some of the Tennessee forces will be encamped near the Kentucky line in a few days, near the Louisville railroad. My old friend, Judge Catron, has not returned to Tennessee yet since the adjournment of the Supreme Court. J do not know his opiniou of the Washington rulers. The positioii of Judge Humphreys is right and his conduct highly praiseworthy. He richly merits his place on the bench when the court is organized in the Confederacy. With high regard, truly, yours, S. ii. COCKI4LLL. [4.] MEMPHIS, May 15, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER: I must have support in as~uming a position on the new line near Union City or at Columbus. ~1ave applied for permission to occupy and fortify Columbus. No answer yet. I can get the two regiments of Mississippi Volunteers at Corinth by your orders; not otherwise. Must move without loss of time, else will be too late. Say at once. Let orders go by telegraph to Jackson, and to General Clark at Corinth, both. It is the want of arms and of time, since a law was passed for getting forces into the field, that constitutes our weakness. Write to-night. GID. J. PILLOW. [4.] HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TENNESSEE, Memphis, May 15, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER, i3ecretary: I am at work with all the energy a man can use. We have now in well-constructed works fourteen heavy pieces of artillery, and are still pushing on that work. I will soon have twenty pieces in battery, and I am now engaged in throwing up a field-work protecting the rear of the line of batteries. I am preparing to advance to Union City with all the forces at command. Have sent a special messenger to Governor Magoffin, asking his permission to occupy and fortify Columbus as the most defensible position. If he should withhold his consent, my pres- ent impression is that I shall go forward and occupy the work upou the ground of its necessity for protecting Tennessee. I have serious appre- hension that the enemy will seize the place before I can possibly get in hand a sufficient force to occupy it. With your approval I can get 1,800 Mississippi Volunteers at Corinth, for which I have by telegram asked your orders. The enemy have now concentrated at Cairo and in the immediate neighborhood a large force, and I am satisfied that when the river is known to be completely covered by my batteries an effort will be mad Page 100 100 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. to effect a lodgment at Columbus, fortify that place, and with a strong invading column turn my works, attack them in reverse, crush in ysup- porting force, capture the guns, and open the river. The northern por- tion of Tennessee is unfavorable, from the extent of open country, for arresting the movement, except with a larger force than is at my com- mand. I have men in great abundance, but we are sadly off for arms. I could have 20,000 men in the field in ten days if I could arm them. I have now plenty of heavy artillery. Got one four-gun battery of 6-pounders of Mississippi, and four more of Governor of Arkansas, and five others, making thirteen pieces of field artillery. If the enemy should succeed in opening the river, he will reach New Orleans, devas. tating the whole country as he goes, without serious opposition, and thus cut off and isolate Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas, as he has Missouri and Maryland. Such an amputation will require all the surgical skill of President Davis to restore the patient. With arms I could roll back the invading cdlumn. If the enemy shall pour dowu upon me a column of 20,000 men, or near that force, I could not possibly resist his advance with any force at my command. I hope to get arms, yet we have no certain reliance. I am still actively engaged mustering in troops all over the State and having them instructed, and hope to be able to main- tain my ground. I give you the present condition we find ourselves in for the information of the President. He may rely upon everything which it is possible to accomplish being done. GID. J. PILLOW, [4.] iJiajor- General, Commanding Army of Tennessee. HEADQUARTERS PROVISIONAL ARMY OF TENNESSEE, Memphis, May 15, 1861. Brig. Gen. John L. T. Sneed will push the works under his charge, through the various staff officers, as rapidly as possible to completion. The major-general commanding has dispatches from the Governor of the State and reliable information from other sources, leaving no doubt of the intention of the enemy to make an early descent on the river, and through the interior of the State, and he urges Brigadier-General Sneed to the utmost possible vigilance and energy in the duties of his command. He will send up to.morrow a large amount of brick for magazines and additional laborers (fifty hands) for the river batteries, with drays, mules, & c. Brigadier-General Sneed will furnish all possible aid to the various works oil hand. By order of Major.General Pillow, commanding Pro visional Army of Tennessee: JNO. C. BUIRCH First Lieutenant and Aide.de- Camp. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TENNESSEE, Memphis, May 16, 1861. The PRESIDENT OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA: On last night I addressed the Secretary of War, informing him that I was ready for the approach of the enemy down the river. To tha Page 101 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 101 dispatch I refer you for the details of our service. I now address you for the purpose of informing you that I am satisfied I cannot resist the forces of the enemy rapidly preparing to advance npou us through the interior of Western Kentucky and Tennessee without I can get more small-arms. This interior column, I am satisfied, will advance for the purpose of dislodging my supporting forces, capturing my river bat- teries, and opening the river. If I should be unable to resist this force, the enemy will reach New Orleans, laying waste the whole river Tcountry and opening communication with the Gulf of Mexico and cut- ting off all west of the Mississippi. The result will follow by the undisputed possession of the river, and by taking possession of the boats on that river. I am satisfied there are in the neighborhood of 20,000 men in Cairo and withiii supporting distance, and that the forces of Indiana and the Northwest are now increasing that army destined for the advancing column South. However strong my river batteries may be, unless I have a force much stronger than I can now bring into the field, you must perceive I cannot arrest the advance of the force with which my position is threatened. I have, all told, only about 5,000 stand of arms in this part of the State, and that includes the arms you had ordered here some time since. I have made and so has Governor Harris made every possible effort to procure arms. We have the money, but cannot get the arms. I could have a force of 25,000 men in the field in ten days if I could arm them. The country near the north boundary line of Tennessee is an open and level one, and is wholly indefensible except by a large force. I can occupy and fortify Columbus, Ky., with half the force required to defend the interior line, and as a necessity of my position I must occupy that position. I am now making all my dispositions with that view. I have sent a special messenger to Governor Magoffin, asking his permission to occupy it. My expectation is that lie will withhold his consent. I know no alter- native but to take the responsibility of acting on my own judgment. Tennessee is for all practical pui~poses in the Confederate States. With arms I can protect the West; without them it is impossible. If I failed to inform you of our condition, I would be responsible for the result. I learn to-day from Nashville that there are but 2,500 stand of small- arms in Middle Tennessee. We have now an amount of heavy artillery equal to our wants at present. I can by your order get men (armed) from Mississippi to enable me to occupy Columbus, and two batteries of field artillery. I take the men to get the arms. I address you per- sonally and officially on my part, that you may be placed immediately in possession of the facts. Let Colonel Tate bring back whatever of help you can give us in arms. With great respect, your obedient servant, GID. J. PILLOW, [4.] Major- General, Army of Tennessee. TuscuMnlA, ALA., May 17, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War, Montgomery: SIR: A gentlemau just arrived from Paducah informs me that all the indications at that place point to its occupancy by Federal troops within a short time for the purpose of blockading the Tennessee River. In view of the defenseless condition of the Tennessee River, the facilities it offers for the transportation of troops into Northern Mississippi an Page 102 102 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. (CHiP. LXIV. North Alabama, and the want of arms and ammunition and organiza- tion in this valley, the undersigned respectfully suggests that the War Department take the matter into consideration. We are destitute of effective arms and ammunition, and if not supplied with them cannot resist an invading force with any hope of success. It would be utterly ruinous to the cause of the South to permit the impression to go abroad that any part of Alabama could be successfully invaded or that such disgraceful submission as is now existing in Kentucky and Missouri could be possible here. Withiu the limits of Tennessee the Tennessee River is easily defensible at various points from the Kentucky line to Hamburg, and above that point on the right bank as high as ~tate line. The proprietors of the Tennessee Valley Agricultural and Mechanical Association offer their fair grounds to the Confederacy for the purpose of encamping or drilling troops. A full regiment can be housed in the grounds. F. Cl. NORMAN, [1.] - Pre8ident Military Commission. CAMP OF INSTRUCTION, Near Corinth, Miss., May 18, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War, Montgomery, Ala.: Two regiments (twenty companies), aggregate over 1,900 officers and men, are here, organized and fully armed for service. They will be reviewed and inspected to-morrow and detailed reports made. They have the percussion musket, with bayonet, all in good order; are well clothed, and supplied with camp and garrison equipage complete, ready to be transferred to the service of the Confederate States. General Cl. J. Pillow requested that these troops should march to co-operate with him in the defense of NorthwestTennessee, but I declined to move except by your order or permission. You probably know the object, and if you have any orders I await them. In the meantime I shall attend to the instruction and discipline of the troops. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, & c., CHAS. CLARK, [1.] Major-General, Army of Mississippi, Commanding. COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY, EXECUTiVE DEPARTMENT, Frankfort, May 19, 1861. Hon. JEFFERSON DAVIS, President of the Confederate States, Richmond: SIR: Since the commencement of the unhappy difficulties yet pend- ing in the country the people of Kentucky have indicated a steadfast desire and purpose to maintain a position of strict neutrality between the belligerent parties. They have earnestly striven by their policy to avert from themselves the calamity of war and protect their own soil from the presence of contending armies. Up to this period they have enjoyed comparative tranquillity and entire domestic peace. Recently a military force has been enlisted and quartered by the U. S. authori- ties within this State. I have this day addressed a communication and dispatched commissioners to the President of the United States urging the removal of these troops from the soil of Kentucky, thus exertin Page 103 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 103 myself to carry out the will of the people of this State in the main- tenance of a neutral position. The people of Kentucky desire to be free from the presence of ~ontending armies, and avert invasion of their soil from either side; and to that object then my efforts are now directed. Although I have no reason to assume that the Government of the Confederate States now contemplate or have ever purposed any violation of the neutral attitude assumed by Kentucky, there seems to be some uneasiness among the people of some portions of the State, occasioned by the collection of bodies of troops along their southern frontier. In order to quiet that apprehension and to secure the people their cherished object of peace, this communication is to represent these facts and to elicit an authoritative assurance that the Govern- ment of the Confederate States will continue to respect and observe the neutral position of Kentucky. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, [4.J B. MAGOFFIN. MONTGOMERY, JIifay 19, 1861. Governor JOHN J. PETTUS, Jackson, Miss.: Rendezvous the five regiments, armed with muskets and rifles, at Corinth without delay. L. P. WALKER. [1.] WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Montgomery, May 20, 1861. Maj. J. GORGAS, Chief Ordnance Bureau:. SIR: You will issue to Governor I. G. Harris, of Tennessee, 4,000 muskets, to be receipted for, on behalf of the State of Tennessee, by Col. Samuel Tate, of Memphis. Very respectfully, [4.J L. P. WALKER. WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Montgomery, May 20, 1861. His Excellency ISHAM G. HARRIS, Governor of Tennessee: SIR: I have the honor to inform you that four regiments are required for the Confederate service to be raised in Tennessee, and which will be armed by this Department with muskets, and should Your Excellency desire it, and will arm four other regiments with the country rifle, they will be also received into the Confederate service. The general ren- dezvous of the first four regiments will be Union City, but as to the last four, when they shall be organized, Your Excellencys proposition will be considered as to a point of rendezvous for them. Colonel Chnrchwell is here, and has assured this l)epartment that he has now a regiment ready for service. If this be so, and if it be agreeable to Your Excellency, one of the four regiments named to be armed with muskets may be that he has mentioned, in which event the rendezvous of that regiment may be made Knoxville instead of Union City Page 104 104 S~. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. Considering the importance of instant action in the organization of these forces as a check to the threatening attitude of the enemy on the north banks of the Ohio River, and to impart a greater feeling of secnrity to the citizens of Tennessee, I have consented to exercise the discretionary power with which this Department is invested, and to relax the general rule exacting service for the war, and to receive the whole of these regiments for twelve months only, trusting to their patriotism to re-enlist if the exigencies of the war at the end of that time should demand it. But to prevent auy misunderstanding here- after, in the event that the general rule should be applied to Tennessee as elsewhere, I wish here to say it cannot have escaped Your Excellency that our enemies of the North, through their Executive at Washington, have made proclamation for enrollments for three years and enlistments for the war, thus indicating their determination for a prolonged contest, and a firm resolution to prepare fully for that result by the conversion of their forces from raw militia and volnnteers into trained and disciplined regulars. To the effectiveness of these troops thus inured to the battle. field Your Excellency will perceive they will add economy of administra. tion throngh the movement. Their calculation is that often heretofore made and notably practiced by the Cromwellians against the Cavaliers. It is supposed that at first our impetuosity and superior dexterity in the u~e of arms will cause the earlier victories to lean to our side, but that trained discipline and the solid phalanx will finally prove trium- phant. Nor will it be denied that the heaviest relative expense of an army is demanded during the year of its enrollment and general equip- ment. Therefore, for us to disband each of our regiments at the end of twelve months service would be to entail upon the Government the largest yearly expenditures and to keep our armies constituted of raw recruits, while the enemy were constantly diminishing their relative expenditures and advancing more and more in every element that con- stitutes effectiveness. Under these circumstances it is plain we should conform our periods of servi~e in the field, as we have been doing from the first, to those of the enemy, and thus at all times -leave to our forces the advantage of their original superiority. I send herewith a circular copy of the general rule adopted. I have ordered the requisite number of muskets to arm four regiments to be sent to Your Excellency; but they are sent with the distinct understanding that they are not to be distributed to any other troops than those indicated, and not to them until they are duly organized and mustered into the Confederate service by a Confederate officer. This duty will be assigned to Lieutenant McCall, now at Nashville. This rule is universal and cannot be relaxed under any circumstances. The Government must see to the husbanding of its resources as to arms, to their effective use, safe-keeping, and proper return, and Your Excellency will excuse the repetition that these troops must be organ. ized into regiments and duly mustered into service before they receive their arms. Your Excellency will doubtless appreciate the reasons that have led me to suggest the ordinary country rifle for four of the regi- ments named. Our lines of operation have recently become widely extended, as Your Excellency is aware, and the demand for arms so great since the accession of the border States, adopting our flag, that considerations associated wiPh controlling public interests and the suc- cess of the war in which we are engaged call for the practice by this Department of the wisest discretion in regard to the distributiomi of our military provisions in these respects, consisting chiefly of muskets. The necessity for this course on the part of the Department becomes still more apparent from the fact that our manufactories of arms ar Page 105 105 Ca~r. LXXVI CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. not yet fully established. It therefore occurred to me that as many of your citizens were known to be habituated to the use of the rifle, and that weapon was common among them, four regiments might be formed and armed from the country, each man furnishing his own instrumeiit; and I must confess I have never yielded implicit credence to the pre- vailin g idea that the musket is a superior weapon to the rifle. Such may be the case with the improved minie gun, but even the ordinary rifle, in the hands of the brave Tennessecans and Mississippians, saved and won the battle of Buena Vista during the Mexican war, as it did in the hands of Carolinians at the battle of Kings Mountain during the Revolutionin both instances with sad havoc to the enemy. There can be little doubt, I apprehend, that with a large portion of our inhabitants among the mountains the rifle would always prove more fatal and successful on the field of battle than the most improved mus- kets in any other hands than those of veterans. I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, L. P. WALKER, [4.] Secretary of War. GENERAL ORDERS.] HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF MIssJssJw?I, Jackson, iIfay 21, 1861. By order of the commander-in-chief the following companies, viz, Choctaw Guards, Capt. J. W. Hemphill; Long Creek Rifles, Capt. L. S. Terry; Shubuta Rifles, Capt. R. J. Lawrence; Cherry Creek Rifles, Capt. John B. Herring; MeClung Rifles, Capt. Edgar Sykes; Confed- erate Rifles, Capt. Jos. M. Jayne; Winona Stars, Capt. Thomas Booth; Magnolia Guards, Capt. John M. Lyles; Water Valley Rifle Guards, Capt. B. H. Collins; Burnsville Blues, Capt. J. C. Walters; Grenada Rifles, Capt. W. S. Statham; Gainesville Volunteers, Capt. J. B. Deason; Summit Rifles, Capt. J. D. Blincoe; Vicksburg Sonthrons, Capt. D. N. Moody; Enterprise Guards, Capt. R. Stuart Wier; Colum- bus Riflemen, Capt. William E. Baldwin; Wigfall Rifles, Capt. W. F. Brantly; Beauregard Rifles, Capt. John W. Balfour; Madison Guards, Capt. Thomas M. Griffin; Oktibbeha Rescue, Capt. A. J. Maxwell; Benton Rifles, Capt. W. H. Luse; Confederates, Capt. 0. R. Singleton; Confederate Guards, Capt. W. S. Featherston; Westville Guards, Capt. George J. D. Funchess; Yalobusha Rifles, Capt. F. M. Aldridge; Quitman Rifles, Capt. J. W. Wade; Hainer Rifles, Capt C. F. Hamer; Mississippi Rangers, Capt. John MeGuirk; Pettus Rifles, Capt. Mar- maduke Bell; Mississippi College Rifles, Capt. John W. Welborn; Crystal Springs Southern Rights, Capt. J. C. Davis; Adams Light Guard, No. 1, Capt. Robert Clarke; Adams Light Guard, No. 2, Capt. S. E. Baker; Quitman Invincibles, Capt. John P. McGowan; Monroe Guards, Capt. F. M. Rodgers; Beuton Relief Rifle Guards, Capt. B. G. Lawrence; Rough and Readies, Capt. H. E. Williamson; Burt Rifles, Capt. E. R. Burt; Beauregard Rifles, Capt. A. S. Lee; Agency Rifles, Capt. John M. Ware; Quitman Guards, Capt. Samuel A. Matthews; Lexington Guards, Capt. L. R. Page- Wilkinson Rifles, Capt. C. Posey; Jasper Grays, Capt. J. J. Shannon; Meridian Invincibles, ~Dapt. W. F. Crumpton; Claiborne Rangers, Capt. J. Taylor Moore; Clayton Guards, Captain Vaughn; Rankin Rough and Readies, Capt. E. J. Runnels; Panola Vindicators, Capt. George P. Foote; Buena Vista Rifles, Capt. T. L. Rogers, are hereby ordered into active service, and will proceed forthwith to Corinth, Miss., to the camp of instruction there established and report to Maj. (len. Charles Clark, commanding. They will take with them all arms and military property in their possession. Al Page 106 106 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. ILA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. deficiencies in arms will be supplied at Corinth. The companies will provide themselves with cooked rations sufficient to subsist them to Corinth. The several railroads will furnish transportation, and the companies will proceed by the nearest route. An officer from each company will be sent forthwith to report to these headquarters the condition and strength of their companies. The captains of the several companies above mentioned are charged with the execution of this order. W. II. BROWN, [1.] Adjutant and Inspector General. ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERALS OFFICE, Montgomery, May 22, 1861. General CHARLES CLARK, Corinth, Miss.: SIR: In forwarding to you the inclosed appointment as brigadier- general of the provisional forces in the service of the Confederate States, I am instructed to state that as soon as thc two Mississippi regiments now at Corinth shall have been mustered into service, for which purpose an officer has been ordered to that place, you will direct these regi meuts to proceed to Union City and await further orders. Five other regiments from Mississippi have been ordered to rendezvous at Corinth, where they will also be mustered. You will report their arrival at Corinth to this office, when you will receive instructions as to the disposition to be made of them. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. COOPER, [4.] Adjutant and Inspector General. SPECIAL ORDERS, ADJT. AND INSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. ~7. Montgomery, May 28, 1861. * * * * * * * IX. Brig. Gen. G. T. Beauregard will proceed to Corinth, Miss., and take command of the detbuses of the Mississippi River fioin Vicksburg to the Kentucky and Tennessee line at or near Union City, making his headquarters at Corinth. By ~oinmand of the Secretary of War: JNO. WiTHERS, [4.] Assistant Adjutant- General. L. P. WALKER: MEMPHIS, May 24, 1861. Let your troops rendezvous at Union City as quick as l)O55iblC. SAM. TATE. [4.] ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERALS OFFICE, Capt. THOMAS II. TAYLOR, Montgomery, ]IIay 24, 1861. C. ~ Cavalry, Louis cille, Ky.: SIR: In reply to your letter of the 16th instant I have to request that you will not make any further attempts to recruit in Kentucky at pre Page 107 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC,CONFEDERATE. 107 ent. You will return to Nashville, Tenti., and take charge of the depot in that city. You will take with you to the same place Second Lieut. Waller R. Bullock, C. S. infantry, and detail him for such service as may be deemed most advantageous. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. COOPER, [~1 Adjutant and Inspector General. MEMPhIS, May 24, 1861. L. P. WALKER: Understanding from Colonel Tate that the forces concentrating at Corinth are designed for my support, it will be necessary for you to give orders to the commander of those forces to report to me for definite orders. We wish them to advance to Union City, where I am assuming position. GID. J. PILLOW, [4.J Major-General, Commanding. SPECIAL- ORDERS, HEADQUARIER$ ARMY OF TENNESSEE, No. 1. May 24, 1861. Information having been received by the major-general commanding that the steamer Ferd. Kennett, bound from New Orleans to Saint Louis, armed with two pieces of artillery and several hundred Germans armed with small-arms, Brigadier-General Sneed will, by the guns of his battery, stop her, take her guns and ammunition of every sort, and will disarm the Germans and others on her. He will first fire a blank car- tridge as a signal for her to come to; you will then fire a ball across her line and in advance of her bow. If she still refuses to come in, your shots must be directed at her until she will come in and surrender, and then send her under an armed force down here. She will be stopped here if we have the means. If she surrenders you will place a proper guard over her, with strict and reliable officer, to protect everybody and every- thing on board the vessel until she reaches this city. She passed Helena this morning, and will ~)robably pass your forts during the night some time if not stopped here. By order of Maj. Gen. Gid. J. Pillow, commanding general Army of Tennessee: POLLOK B. LEE, [4.] Assistant A djntant- General. ~PECIAL ORDERS, ~ IIDQRS. PnOvIsIO~AL ARMY OF TENNESSEE, No. 123. Memphis, May 24, 1861. The major-general in command of the Army of Tennessee is in pos- session of the purpose of the enemy to attempt, within the next ten days, a descent of the Mississippi River. TIme plami is to approach the batteries at Randolph in the night. When signaled to come in the enemy will be slow to answer by whistle, but will answer and continue to answer; will keep well on the opposite shore, and with a heavy head of steam will aim to run by the batteries above Memphis, expecting to reach the city and take it by surprise, believing that we have no force Page 108 108 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. here. This information is brought to the major-general commanding by a special dispatch from a source evidently well informed of the pur- poses of the enemy, and directly from the camp at Cairo. The boats in which the descent will be attempted to be made are the City of Memphis, Mound City, Jatan, Swallow, Swan, and probalAy others. Their present plan does not seem to contemplate an attack by land, but this may be changed or we may not be in possession of all they propose. It is the purpose of the enemy, it seems, in this way to take possession of the city of Memphis, open the river again by running the blockade here, and hold this place. rphe movement is an exceedingly hazardous one for them, but they believe we have but few guns at Randolph and that those there are of light caliber. They therefore think they can succeed in passing down. They are further informed that we have no forces here, but that all our troops are at Jackson, Teun. This infor- mation may cause a movement to be made which will enable us to send the whole force embarked to the bottom of the river. The major- general therefore directs that Brigadier-General Sneed keep constant and vigilant watch; that he be well prepared with guns in battery for action at all times~ that he keep out picket guards of mounted men at the bridges crossing ilatchie River, and at such other points as may be deemed advisable; that he give orders for the proper disposition of the supporting force in the event of an attack by night. Brigadier-Gen- eral ~need will have the orders read to the troops. Upon the appear- ance of any steamer downward bound, at the signal of one blank cartridge, give her shot as soon as she is in reach of your guns, and if no prompt evidence of approach to your shore, open with all batteries and sink her or them. The major-general commanding wishes every possible energy thrown into the work of field intrenchinent and com. pleting the work on the batteries. The sentinels at night should be well instructed as to their duty. By command of Major-General Pillow, commanding Provisional Army of Tennessee: JNO. C. BUIIICH, [4.] Aide-dc- Camp. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Hon. L. P. WALKER, Nashville, Miay 25, 1861. War Department, Montgomery: Sin: Your dispatch of the 20th instant was placed in my hands by General ZollicoIkr on the 22d. I sent Lieutenant McCall, of the Con- federate Army, to West Tennessee on yesterday for the purpose of mustering into the service of the Confederate States such of our West Tennessee regiments as may be willing to enter that service, and think it probable that the four regiments to be armed with muskets will be mustered into service within a day or two. If, however, the whole num- ber shall not be made u~ in that division of the State, I will make up the deficiency in regiments already formed in Middle Tennessee. I do not think it advisable to station a regiment of Confederate troops in East Tennessee at this time. We have about fifteen companies of the troops of the Provisional Army of Tennessee stationed at Knoxville, and sound policy requires that they should be continued there for the present instead of troops sent from or mustered into the service of the Confederate States. I approve your suggestion as to the use of th Page 109 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 109 sporting rifle with minie-ball, and have no doubt it may be made a highly effective arm for all shooting purposes upon the battle-field. I am taking steps to raise the four regiments called for by your dispatch to be thus armed, and hope to ha~~e them ready for the field at no distant day. Your dispatch is silent as to the subsistence, transportation, pay, & c., of the troops called for. I feel warranted, however, in assuming that these all follow as necessary incidents to the act of being mustered into the service of the Government of the ~3onfederate States, and therefore have given orders to have them mustei ed in as fast as regi- meiits are found organized and ready. The number of troops stationed at Cairo and above that point on the river and railroads, taken in con- nection with many other indications unmistakable in their character, but unnecessary to be enumerated here, drives me to the conclusion that the settled purpose of the Federal Government is to attempt to descend the Mississippi River with an overwhelming force at an early day, in view of which fact I regard it as a matter of the highest importance to the Confederate States, as well as to Tennessee, that a large force, fully armed and equipped, be stationed in the northwestern portion of this State. We find very little difficulty in raising any reasonable number of men, but unfortunately we have not a sufficient number of small-arms for such force as will be necessary for present purposesl We have been fortunate in securing a sufficient number of heavy guns for our stationary batteries, but have little or no field artillery. We have all the means of supplying this indispensable necessity of the service if I could secure the services of an experienced ordnance officer to direct us in their manufacture and to apply the proper tests when made. If you know of such an officer, whose services can be secured, I shall be greatly obliged to you for the information. I am informed that there are a number of regiments, armed, equipped, and ready for the field in the States of Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana. If this be true, it seems to me that every consideration of prudence and security requires that these troops should be stationed immediately upon the northern boundary of West Tennessee. They will be more healthy, more comfortable, and more cheaply subsisted there than farther South, and if there is to be a battle to prevent the invasion of the Valley of the Lower Mississippi it must be fought in the northern part of West Tennessee. I am concentrating such force there as I am able to arm, but such force as I may be able to conceutrate there will, I fear, be unequal to the task of driving back so large a column of invaders as will be thrown upon us in that quarter. Indeed, if our forces and energies are not concentrated to meet the enemy at this pointif he should be permitted to lay waste to West Tennessee, flushed as he would be by this temporary success, and strengthened by the possession of Memphis as the base of his operations against the Valley below and the Southern States east of himI am at a loss to know where the stand can be made to prevent his onward march to New Orleans. These suggestions have presented themselves to my mind with so much force that I have felt authorized to submit them to you for such consideration as you may see proper to bestow upon them, after which, if you should take the same view of the matter that I have done, 1 shall be very happy to have your aid in inducing the States named to station their organized troops as suggested. Very respectfully, JISHAM G. HARRIS. [4. Page 110 110 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. HEADQUARTERS, Fort Morgan, May 30, 1861. General S. COOPER, Adjutant- General C. S. Army: GENERAL: I have the honor herewith to unclose a communication from Lieutenant-Colonel Gardner, C. S. Army, commanding at Fort Gaines, requesting that two additional companies may be ordered to his post without delay. Lieutenant-Colonel Gardner has two com- panies at that post which were ordered from this command. As I can- not spare any more troops I have to request that they may be furnished elsewhere without delay. I informed the Department in a previous communication that I should require a garrison of 500 men at Fort Gaines. The additional troops required to complete this force will be called for when required, which will be in three weeks at furthest. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. J. HAIIDEE Colonel, C. AS1. Army, Commanding. [lnclo8ure.] HEADQUARTERS, Fort Gaines, May 30, 1861. Lieut. C. P. BALL, - C. S. Artillery, Adjutant, Port Morgan: SIR: I have the honor to report, for the information of the colonel commanding the District of South Alabama, that I have made a careful inspection of this fort and its immediate vicinity, and I do not feel that there is any necessity to recommend any change in the plans for its defense adopted by the engineer officer. When he shall have completed the sand-bag. parapet to the two bastions on the land side and the ban- quette slope for the loopholes of the curtains, the fort will be in a tolerably fair state for defense. The shipping and putting up of the 32-pounders intended for the curtains and of the columbiads intended for the bastions I consider of urgent and immediate necessity. I would also respectfully recommend that the garrison of this fort may be, as soon as convenient, re-enforced by at least two companies, with camp equipage. A larger re-enforcement will be needed when the fort shall be more advanced. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, F. GAItDXER, [1.] Lieutenant-Colonel, C. S. Army, Commanding. General S. COOPER, CORINTH, MISS., June 5, 1861. Adjutant-General: The Alabama regiment has no ammunition for the nine rifle compa- nies. One company of muskets has forty-five rounds. Two additional companies from Alabama are here. Shall I muster and send them ~ The two Mississippi regiments will be ready to-morrow or next day, with forty or fifty rounds. The last three companies of Colonel Watts regiment, unarmed, leave to-day, under special orders from the Presi- dent. Under whom are the Tennessee forces and the batteries on Mississippi ~ The operations here are divided. The batteries not suf. ficiently supported. All need organization and a head. The country is alarmed unnecessarily. CHAS. CLARK, Brigadier-General, C. S. Army. [4. Page 111 CHiP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 111 MEMPHIS, June 7, 1861. SECRETARY OF WAR, C. S. A.: You have 3,200 muskets from Baton Rouge on their way to Mount Vernon Arsenal. Will you allow me to put them into the hands of Tennessee troops~ In a few days all Tennessee will be of you. There are now 28,000 troops, and daily the number increases, at Cairo. Have ordered forward three regiments of the Corinth forces. We have not the means of arming another man. Let me have these arms and you shall have the men and arms when you call. Answer at once. GID. J. PILLOW. [4.] MEMPHIS, TENN., June 11, 1861. President DAVIS, or SECRETARY OF WAR: I was advised that I would be supported by forces at Corinth. Three regiments of those have gone to Richmond, and to arm them others had to give up their arms, and there are not now arms left for two regi- ments. You authorized me to retain 1,200 of the flint-lock muskets. Is it not possible for you to allow me to issue the whole of those arms ~ Our forces in the field are wholly too weak to arrest the column with which we know the enemy is preparing to assail us. The Army of Ten- nessee is now subject to your orders as a part of the Confederate forces. Can we retain those arms ~ GID. J. PILLOW, [4.] ]Jliajor- General, Commanding Army of Tennessee. RICHMOND, June 12, 1861. General G. J. PILLOW, - Memphis, Tenn.: The President directs me to refer you to Governor I. G. Harris regard- ing the arms, having written to him yesterday on the subject. L. P. WALKER. [4.] NEW ORLEANS, June 16 1861 President DAVIS: General Pillow sends for means to prevent the enemy descending the river and taking Memphis, which he thinks they are about to attempt. The only thing to be done is to order the Confederate States war steam- ers here to ascend the river. This we recommend. Answer immediately. D. E. TWIGGS. M. L. SMITH. [4.] Tb. 0. MOORE. RICHMOND, June 18, 1861. D. E. TWIGGS and M. L. SMITH, New Orleans, La.: The President has given the necessary orders respecting the war steamers. S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General. [4. Page 112 112 Sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS, NASHVILLE, June 18, 1861. Richmond, Yc.: IDEAR SIR: If the increasing force of our enemy should make it nec- essary to look to Tennessee for re-enforcements, you might deem it expe- dient to order the Mississippi and Louisiana regiments from Corinth to Virginia. The troops of Tennessee generally desire to reach the posts of danger, and thinking that the volunteer State is not fully represented in the great Southern Army in the Old Dominion, it would be gratify- ing to them to be taken in lieu of the Confederate troops alluded to. The First Tennessee Regiment, Colonel Maney, stationed at Camp Cheat- ham, thirty miles north of this city, is formed of the companies known as Rock City Guards A, B, and C, and seven others, well drilled and now ready for good service. It might be good l)Olicy to enlarge the representation from Tennessee, even allowing the strength of the divis- ions should not be materially changed. It is quite natnral that our commanders should wish to retaiii the finest regiments, but I think that our best representatives should be sent abroad. This policy applies to military as well as civil appointments. The discordant element will be confined to East Tennessee. It is too soon yet to decide what they will attempt. Middle and West Tennessee, with 110,000 voters, will con- trol the East with 40,000. I think there is a very strong and growing sentiment to sustain the Treasury notes as well as bonds. The chief difficulty about bonds is with cotton planters who owe money, and con- sider their crops pledged to creditors. Those in debt could sell to the Secretary of the Treasury and receive payment in Treasury notes, and use them in payment of debts, and give the Treasury the benefit of the cotton. Those not in debt can take bonds. It has been suggested that it might become expedient to restrain creditors upon receipt of interest oii debts, and guard their rights by preventing the conveyances of property which might materially impair their rights. This is more complicated than payment in Treasury notes, provided their value can be maintained and thus become a circulating medium. I would like to see the Treasury get control of 2,000,000 bales of cotton. It would be a I)otent agent with foreign powers, and go far to establish national credit in the future. If the Southern cities will sustain the Treasury notes it can be done. Our Army must be made large enough to conquer, and King Cotton must sustain the Army. I am a cotton planter on the Arkansas River, and speak the sentiment of many thousand planters. With an unfaltering belief in the success of our cause, I am, very respectfully, yours, [4.] 5. R. COCKRILL. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TENNESSEE, Hon. L. P. WALKER, Memphis, June 20, 1861. Secretary of TYar, C. S. A.: I have now in the field all the force we can possibly arm. You have here 2,000 flint-lock muskets, which I ask your permission to issue. We are in the Confederate States Government, as you know, by a large majority of the popular votesay 70,000and our army is a part of the forces of the Confederate States, subject to your orders. I suppose we have 30,000 men in the State who have .tendered their services more than we have the means of arming. Can you permit me to issue thes Page 113 CHAP. Lxiv.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 113 arms ~ I telegraphed you some time since. In reply you said the Presi- dent had written to Governor Harris. Governor Harris informs me that he has not received any letter from the President. I have my defensive works here nearly completed, and we have on hand in the State about 15,000 armed men, and this force would be materially strengthened if the Arkansas and Tenuessee troops were under the same officer, so that the forces of both States could be concentrated upon a threatened approach of the enemy. With these forces united we conld advance in a short time to the relief of Missouri. I have applied to the Governor of the State for perinissiou to assume the offensivejust as soon as I can be assured of my position here. I am preparing to effectually blockade the river at Randolph by a ship-cable chain, sup- ported by buoys, anchors, & c. This barricade will arrest any fleet of boats that may attempt a descent on the river under my batteries, so that my guns will sink and burn them up with hot shot. I have six batteries, mounting about thirty heavy guns, completed. All my defen- sive works will be completed this week, and I can be prepared to advance to the assistance of Missouri in a few days. I can dislodge the Cairo forces, and will do it if authority is given for that purpose and I am allowed to use the Arkansas forces. Before assuming the offensive I deem it prudent to strengthen the forces at Union City, as I shall require a portion of that force to go forward. Please answer as promptly as your othe~ engagements will permit, and say if I can be allowed to issue the flint-lock muskets, and if I can advance into Missouri ,turning Ken- tucky, and if the forces at Corinth and Arkansas can be placed under my orders for a forward movement. I send this dispatch by Major Martin, who will apply to you for authority to raise a regiment for the service of the Confederate States. He is a talented and highly accom- plished officer and gentleman, and I warmly recommend him as fitted to command a regiment, and hope you will commission him. With great respect, your obedient servant, GID. J. PILLOW, Major- General, Commanding Army of Tennessee. P. S.If the President has not yet ordered the McIRae up, let it be done as promptly as possible. They have an armed steam-tug at Cairo that is sweeping the river above my batteries, seizing all the steam- boats, completely controlling everything out of reach of my batteries. They to-night seized the steamer Kentucky, belonging to this city. We cannot approach the Missouri shore, and yet my Government has just approved of my purpose to go forward to the relief of Missouri. I must have the support of the Corinth forces and the Arkansas troops. Give me power and I will advance to the relief of ~VLissouri. [4.] NASHVILLE, June 21,1861. General WALKER: DEAR SIR: If the Secretary of the Navy be receiving applications for positions in his Department I will be obliged to you to have the name of Dr. William L. Nichol put on the roll for consideration at the proper time for surgeon in the Navy. He is a son of Mr. William Nichol, of this city; educated for this pursuit; received position as assistant surgeon in the old Navy and served three years. He is a gentleman of good habits and promise and qualified for service. I am aware that we have very few vessels, but I can recommend him without reservation 8 R RYOL LII, PT I Page 114 114 Sw. VA., KY., TENN, MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. when such positions are to be filled. He is now surgeon of the First Tennessee Regiment of Volunteers, stationed on the southern border of Kentucky. We have very little apprehension now about an advance by way of the Mississippi River; that is, that opinion is becoming general since the movement by Governor Jackson, of Missonri. My view of the matter is that the more formidable yonr army in Virginia is the more safety to us in the Mississippi Valley; therefore I am now sending you some of our best regiments, and if necessary to make a certain result send a large portion of them. Make your army invincible in Virginia. If the leading divisions under the commander-in-chief cant go forward the others in the Valley will not. My confidence is nnshaken about the result; success, victory, and peace are certain. The crops on the Arkan- sas River are beautiful. No danger now of overflow in the Mississippi. The provision blockade is nothing; we shall have wheat, corn, and beef beyond measure, besides tobacco, sugar, and rice, and the king who can shake the jewels in the crown of Queen Victoria (cotton). Send for General Bragg and the Tennessee troops and thns concentrate talent -and big gnns and little guns until you strike fuss and feathers with consternation. Foreign nations would soon regard their vain boastings as a farce. Cotton, tobacco, wheat, corn, and meat must go into your treasury to sustain our gallant mcii in the tented field and the heads of departments in control. Fear nothing, success is certain. With high regard, very truly, yonr friend, [4.] 5. R. COCKRILL. CORINTH, June 22, 1861. His Excellency JEFFERSON DAvis, Richmond, Va.: SiR: There are now at Union City five companies of mounted men well armed, and three or four of infantry. They are in the service of Tennessee, with the agreement that at any time they may be mustered into the service of the Confederate States. They request inc to ask of you that they be mustered for twelve months. They are all of the Army of Mississippi, and in Tennessee by consent of Governor Pettus. Being well armed, and some of them well (Irilled, I recommend them to you. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, CHAS. CLARK, Brigadier- General, C. $. Army. By DAN. R. RUSSELL. [Indorsoment.] Two regiments have been requested of General Pettus in the last few days for duty on the Mississippi, and 3,000 troops have also been called for to go into camps of instruction. In one or the other of these regi- ments the companies referred to may have their wishes gratified. It is not, however, the policy of the Government to take troops for twelve months. ~4.] L. P. W[ALKER]. EXECUTIVE I)EPARTME?~T, Nashville, June 22, 1861. Hon. JOHN B. FLOYD: SIR: General A. E. Jackson, of East Tennessee, is sent by inc into your State for the purpose of acquiring all the information possible a Page 115 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 115 to any attempt to march Federal troops to East Tennessee to aid the Union men of that section. If you can at any time convey to me infor- mation of the approach of a Federal force marching in that direction I will throw to your aid from 5,000 to 10,000 men, armed and equipped for the field. Have the kindness to give General Jackson every facility in your power to procure reliable information upon the above impor- tant subject-matter. Very respectfully, ISHAM U. HARIflS. [4.] ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERALS OFFICE, Richmond. June 25, 1861. Maj. Gen. LEONIDAS POLK, Richmond, Va.: SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith, by direction of the Sec- retary of War, au appointment of major-general of provisional forces in the service of the Confederate States. The command to which you are hereby assigned embraces that poition of North Alabama north of the Tennessee River, beginniPg at Waterloo and running thence east with the river to Decatur, and also that portion of North Alabama lying north of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad from Decatur to Steven- son; that portion of Tennessee west and south of the Tennessee River; the river counties of Arkansas and Mississippi, including Corinth, in Mississippi, and the country adjacent thereto, and extending to East- port, on the Tennessee River; the river parishes of Louisiana north of the Red River, and that portion of Arkansas, besides the river counties therein, lying north and east of the White and Black Rivers. The troops within the limits of this department will be under your control, and your appointment as major-general will subject to your orders the brigadier-generals and such of the major-generals as may be in com- mission and commanding withifi the limits of the department. You will therefore proceed to assume command in obedience to these instruc- tions, fixing your headquarters either at Memphis or elsewhere, as in your judgment the interests of the service and the success of your com- mand may require. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. COOPER, [4.] 4djutant and Inspector General. NASHv-JLLE, June 26, 1861. President JEFFERSON DAvIS: You have not advised as to the propriety of six regiments of Tennes- see troops going to Virginia. They are fully equipped. Do you need and advise the troops to move? S. R. ANDERSON, [4.] ]Jfajor- General. MANASSAS, VA., June 27, 1861. President JEFFERSON DAVIS: Am informed that Etheridge and Johnson sent from Washington, on Monday, 10,000 arms to East Tennessee, via Cincinnati and Lexing- ton, Ky. [4.] U. T. BEAUREGARD Page 116 116 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS.~ ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. SPECIAL ORDERS, ~ ADJT. AND JNSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 82. Richmond, June 27, 1861. * * * * * * * II. Col. James M. ilawes, Provisional Army, will proceed to Clarks- yule, Tenn., to assist in the organization of a brigade of volunteers ordered to rendezvous there. * * * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, [4.] Assistant Adjutant- General. General S. R. ANDERSON, RICH1~IOND, June 28, 1861. Nashville, Tenn.: Send three of the regiments referred to here and retain three in Tennessee. [4.] L. P. WALKER. Hon. ROBERT TooMES, CHATTANOOGA, June 28, 1861. Richmond: I came through East Tennessee yesterday. Saw some of our friends, but many more of our enemies. There is truly great disaffection with those people. It is currently reported and believed that Johnson has made an arrangement at Cincinnati to send 10,000 guns into East Ten- nessee, and that they have actually been shipped through Kentucky to Nicholasville, and are to be hauled from there to near the Kentucky line and placed in the hands of Union men in Kentucky on the line to be conveyed to Union men in Tennessee. They openly proclaim that if the Legislature refuses to let them secede they will resist to the death and call upon Lincoln for aid. 1~elson, Browniow, and Maynard are the leaders. If they were out of the way we would be rid of all trouble. That they will give us trouble I doubt not unless they are promptly dealt with. They rely on aid from Southeastern Kentucky and Lincoln. You must see Davis and get him to order Floyd down to about Cumber- land Gap to in~tercept these arms if they attempt to cross into Virginia. Governor Harris has ordered one regiment to the various passes on our northern border,but the people here say they are not sufficient. A number of Union companies are forming and drilling daily in the disaf- fected districts for the avowed purpose of resistance. Let the Govern- ment look closely to this movement. Unless nipped in the bud it may become very troublesome. In haste, yours, truly, [4.] SAM. TATE. JEFFERSON DAVIS, NASHVILLE, June 29, 1861. President: The developments in East Tennessee and Kentucky are such that the Governor deems it inadvisable to move any regiments to Virginia at present. S. R. ANDERSON, Major. General. [4. Page 117 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 117 ATLANTA, June 30, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER: Have just learned from a responsible source that arms are being sent ini~o East Tennessee by the Lincoln Government. I send the troops via Angusta. J. L. CALHOUN, [4.] Quartermaster, C. S. Army. JACKSON, Miss., July 1, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER: l)o you wish two regiments in addition to Colonels Russells, Bon- hams, and McLaurins, which have been raised for the war and are now in Mississippi~ JOHN J. PETTUS. [4.] RICHMOND, July 2, 1861. Col. H. MAURY, Fort Morgan, Ala.: You will ship at once the muskets and rifles at Fort Morgan not in nse to Cot W. B. Wood, Florence, Ala. Please give the matter imme- diate attention. L. P. WALKER. [1.] WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Richmond, July 2, 1861. General CHARLES CLARK, Corinth, Missy: SIR: In reply to your letter of the 22d of June, addressed to the President and subsequently referred to this Department, the Secretary of War directs me to say that two regiments have been requested of Governor Pettus within the last few days for duty in the Mississippi Valley; and, besides, 3,000 troops have been called for to go into camps of instruction. In one or the other of these levies the com- panies referred to may be embodied. It is not, however, the policy of the Government to accept troops for so brief a period as twelve months. Respectfully, A. T. BLEDSOE, [4.] Chief of Bureau of War. MEMPHIS, July 3, 1861. L. P. WALKER: When will General Polk be here l His presence is important. SAM. TATE. [4.] MEMPHIS, July 3, 1861. L. P. WALKER: Hindmans regiment is ready for service, and after his supply of arms and other parties there remains 2,000 stand still here. The committe Page 118 118 Sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. desires to ask the arming of two new regiments, nearly complete, for the Confederate army from this remaining stock of Confederate arms, that the city may have two more fitted out at an early day. Colonels Bowmall and Martin have command of them. F. W. ROYSTER, [4.] Secretary Committee of flafety. ATLANTA, G A., July 5, 1861. Hon. J. DAVIS: Shall T order General Phillips brigade to Bristol ~ [4.] J. B. BROWN. Govetnor J. G. HARRIS, July 5, 1861. Nashville, Teun.: Have understood that you have twenty-one regiments organized for the field, and therefore supposed that you could spare two for service here. We need them, but I shall not order them here against your protest. L. P. WALKER. General & DEON J. PILLOW, RICHMOND, July 5, 1861. Memphis, Teun.: The appointment of Major-General Polk is to the command of the Confederate troops. [4.] L. P. WALKER. Governor J. B. BROwN, RICHMOND, July 8, 1861. Atlanta, Ga.: Dispatch received. Send the regiments to Bristol. [4.] JEFFN J)AYJS. RICHMOND, Jaly 9, 1861. General S. 11. ~DU~SON~ Nashville, Teun.: You have been appointed by the President a brigadier-general of the Provisional foi-ces of the Confederate States. Governor I. G. Harris has been requested to scud two 1-egilnents into East Tennessee. If you accept, you will proceed with them and take command. [44 L. P. WALKER. GENERAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS FLOYDS BRIGADE, Camp Jackson, near Wytherille, Va., No. 1. ) July 10, 1861. The Forty-fifth Regiment Riflemen, Floyds brigade, under command of Col. Ilenry Heth, will move from Camp Jackson at 10 a. m. on Fri- day next and take up the line of march in the direction of the Kanawh Page 119 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 119 Valley. The quartermaster will furnish the necessary transportation for the command. The commissary will furnish the command with rations for three days. No unnecessary baggage will be allowed. JOHN B. FLOYD, [2.] Brigadier- aeneral, Commanding. JULY 11 1861. J. GOR~AS, Chief of Ordnance, Richmond, Va.: I must have lead from works at Wytheville. Write and telegraph to Kohler, agent, to send me twenty-five tons immediately. He says his product is taken by you. I send you caps to-day. ISHAM G. HARRiS. [4.] MEMPHIS, TENN., July 13, 1861. His Excellency JEFFERSON DAvis, President Confederate States of America: DEAR SIR: A service of six years in the House of Representatives of the United States, while you were serving the country with great honor and distinction as Secretary of War and as a Senator from the State of Mississippi, agreeing with you mainly in the line of action which marked your course, and at this time in command of a regiment of Tennessee Volunteers, justify me in addressing you a few words on a subject, as I conceive, of great importance to the Army of Tennessee and to the South. We have in the field in Tennessee an army ot 25,000 men, with arms, ammunition, & c., sufficient to do service for many months, the efficiency and strength of which is mainly owing to the energy, skill, and military talents of Maj. Gen. Gideon J. Pillow, who has not only given his per~onal services constantly and unremit- tingly to the cause, but has contributed to the amount of many thou- sands from his private means to place our army in its present proud and honorable position. These services are neither unknown nor unappreciated by the people for whose protection they have been most freely rendered. The gallant men who have rallied to the standard of the South under his command in the army, and the people who have felt his protection, have heard with pain that he has recently been deprived of the high position he has heretofore occupied in command and his arm rendered powerless for further service by placing him in so inferior a position that he will be outranked by those who have formerly been under his command. Without desiring in any manner to depreeiatd the merits of others, I believe there is no voice iii Tennes- see which does not speak for justice in behalf of the merits of General Pillow. I know that you have not desired to do him any injustice, and it is only because you have been occupied constantly by exciting and vital questions more immediately demanding your attention that you have failed to assign to General Pillow a position equal to his merits, his services, and his military capacity. I am sure that the gallant men in the Army of Tennessee everywhere would hail with delight the news that they were to be continued with their commander. In view of the above suggestions, and being apprehensive of disastrous effects on the troops of Tennessee in consequence of what they conceive to be injustice to their general, I suggest to Your Excellency the propriety of appointing General Pillow a general officer in the regular Arm Page 120 120 sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. of the Confederate States. This position would relieve him from the embarrassment of being ranked by almost every other general officer, and though General Pillow would not desire to remain in mili- tary service after the conclusion of the war, there could be no objection to this course. If this could not be done, could not he be appointed a major-general in the Provisional Army, with orders to take such force as is necessary to the relief of Missouri ~ I am satisfied that in this position his services would be invaluable to the country. I have ven- tured to make these suggestions to you relative to General Pillow with no other view than to advance the interest of our~ common South, and to do justice to the feelings and meritorious services of a gallant officer. I feel sure that General Pillow will serve in any capacity which may fall to his lot, even should he be compelled to go into the ranks, impressed most sensibly as he is with the perils which threaten the country. Trusting that Your Excellency after calm reflection may find it con- sistent with your duty to the country and to General Pillow to comply with suggestions here made, I remain, respectfully, your obedient servant, JNO. V. WRIGHT, [4.] Colonel, Comdg. Thirteenth Regiment Tennessee Volunteers. ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS FLOYDS BRIGADE, No. 2. Camp Jackson, July 21, 1861. 1. The Fiftieth Virginia Regiment, Floyds brigade, under command of Col. A. W. Reynolds, will be held in readiness to move to-morrow at 2.30 oclock by railroad to Salem, where it will take post until further orders. 2. Maj. C. E. Thorburn, Fiftieth Virginia Regiment, will take charge of the three companies of cavalry now here and prepare them to march in the direction of the Sweet Springs. The quartermaster will assign to the cavalry companies six wagons and make all necessary arrange- ments for the troops on the march. All baggage and stores belonging to the Fiftieth Regiment will be transported by railroad to Salem. The commissary will supply the regiment with rations for two days. By order of Brig. Gen. John B. Floyd, commanding brigade: WILLIAM E. PETERS, [2.] Adjutant- General. ESTILLYILLE, SCOTT COUNTY, VA., July 22, 1861. His Excellency JOHN LETCHER, Governor of Virginia: SIR: To the original number of men that Governor Harris, of Ten- nessee, sent to Cuinberland Gap, the point at which Tennessee Ken- tucky, and Virginia joins, we learn that he (Governor Harris) is sending thousands of re-enforcernents. The imminent danger reported to the citizens of Russell County by messenger from Logan County, of the invaders that had already penetrated and burned the town and court- house of that county, has induced the colonels, commandants of the regiments of Russell, to call out the militia of that county to march against the invaders, and thus from our exposed position and the near- ness of the enemy you will comprehend the almost certainty of an early invasion of our county; but we have not as much as three kegs of powder in the county, nor can it be bought, wherefore we hope tha Page 121 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 121 you will forward us a few kegs at your earliest practicable opportunity. If so, uotify me of the fact, so that I may have it forwarded from Bristol, that being the nearest depot to this point. Your obedient servant, LEXINGTON M. DAY, [4.] Lieutenant- Colonel of 124th Regiment. ESTILLYILLE, July 22, 1861. Governor LETCHER: DEAR SIR: At the request of Colonel Day and many others, who feel deeply concerned on account of the perilous condition of this por- tion of the State, I beg leave to add my statement of the existence of the great public necessity requiring the militia of this county to be immediately supplied with some powder to meet the pressing emer- gency with which we are threatened. We are situated immediately on the line of East Tennessee in the vicinity of the traitor Andy Johnson, and of the threatened rebellion of East Tennessee, which we daily expect to be fully developed up5n the approach of Northern forces that the Union men of East Tennessee confidently expect to pass through our midst to their aid very shortly. We are without powder to enable the militia to defend our soil and repel the invaders, and we hope that it will be in your power to furnish it. It will be accounted for strictly according to the requisitions of law, and if not needed to repel the Northern invaders will be held by Colonel Day, subject to your order. The senior officer, Colonel Franklin, is a volunteer in the service of the State, and the duty of calling out the militia to defend the county will, nuder the law, devolve on Colonel Day when the emergency arises demanding such action, which we are expecting every hour. In the hope that you can furnish us the requisite aid at this critical moment, I remain, very respectfully, your friend, HENRY S. KANE, [4.] Attorney for Commonwealth, ctc. GENERAL ORnERS, HEADQUARTERS FLOYDS BUmADE, No. 5. 5 Wythevilie, July 24, 1861. The Fiftieth [Virginiaj Regiment, Floyds brigade, under command of Col. A. W.. Reynolds, will move from Camp Jackson at 8 a. m. to-morrow and take up the line of march in the direction of Jacksons River. The quartermaster will furnish the necessary transportation for the command. The commissary will furnish the command with rations for eight days. No unnecessary baggage will be allowed. By order of General John B. Floyd, commanding brigade: WILLIAM E. PETERS, [2.] Assistant Adjutant- General, Floyds Brigade. WYTHEVILLE, July 25, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER, AS~ecretary of War: Rumors of invasion of Lee County are entirely groundless. Nothing needed for that county but ammunition, which I will send when the powder comes. JOHN B. FLOYD, Brigadier- General. [2. Page 122 122 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP LXIV. NASHVILLE, July 26, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER: I rely on General Withers brigade to guard an important point of Kentucky while they remain in camp of instruction. I therefore hope you will arm it immediately. ISHAM G. HARRIS. [4.] GENERAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS FLOYDS BRIGADE, No. 6. Wytheville, July 26, 1861. The battalion of cavalry of Floyds brigade nnder command of Major Thorburn will move from Camp Jackson at 9 a. m. to-morrow and take up the line of march in the direction of Jacksons River. The quarter- master will furnish the necessary transportation for the command. The commissary will furnish the command with rations for eight days. By order of General John B. Floyd, commanding brigade: WILLIAM E. PETERS, [2.] Assistant Adjutant. aeneral, Floyds Brigade. RICHMOND VA Major-General POLK, , ., July 30, 1861. Commanding Department No. 2, Memphis, Teun.: SIR: I have the honor to inform you that I will go to iNorfolk Tues- day evening with an order on the commandant there for fifty heavy 32-pounder guns, and that I shall hurry these West as quickly as I can. I beg leave further to add that there are reports here of extraordi- nary preparations going on on the Ohio River in the way of gun-boats. I fear that the work-shops of New Orleans will be taxed to the utmost to supply gun carriages for defenses below. Possibly at Holly Springs, at Florence, Ala., and Nashville they may be able to aid us in preparing such carriages. No time is to be lost with regard to our river fortifica- tions. I have had 500 shells ordered from Pensacolathe fuses go from hereand I have the prospect by October of a battery of rifled 30- l)ounders. Powder is the gmeat want, and they are actually looking to Tennessee to supply this part of the country. Can we not continue to draw some supply of this article from above? I sent a telegraphic message to-day announcing my success so far regarding the guns. I am, very respectfully, I. N. BROWS, [4.] Lieutenant, C. S. Navy. [JULY 81, 1861 ~?j Provisional Army of Tennessee. FORCES IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE. Infantry at Camp Trousdale.Colonel Fultons regiment, 889 men, percussion muskets; Colonel Palmers regiment, 883 men, flint-lock muskets; Colonel Savages regiment, 952 men, flint-lock muskets; Col- onel Newmans regiment, 914 men, flint-lock muskets; Colonel Battles regiment, 880 men, flint-lock muskets Page 123 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 123 Infantry at Camp Cheatharn.Colonel Rains regiment, 880 men, 710 dint-lock muskets, 175 minie rifles; Colonel Browns regiment, 885 men, percussion muskets. Considerable sickness in last-named regiment, mostly measles; it might well take place of Colonel Maneys regiment in East Tennessee, although not now in good condition for active, effi- cient service. At Port Henry.Colonel ileimans regiment, 720 men, flint.lock muskets. Erecting fortifications at mouth of Big Sandy. Cavalry at Camp Cheatham.One company, Captain Woodward, fully armed. Camp Jackson.Battalion, five companies, Lieutenant-Colonel Mc- Nairy, fully armed. Camp Lee.Battalion, five corn panics, fully armed. Our cavalry is armed with sabers, Colt navy pistols, and double-barrel shotguns, English twist. FORCES IN EAST TENNESSEE. Infantry.Col. G-eorge Maney, 944 men, rifle muskets; Colonel Hat- ton, 856 men, rifles; Colonel Forbes, 860 n~en, percussion muskets; Colonel Cummings, 877 men, flint-lock muskets. Field officers not chosen; ten companies strong. Caval~ry.Eight companies, about 653 men. ArtilleryCaptain Rutledges company, 110 men, four 6-pounders, two howitzers. FORCES IN WEST TENNESSEE. Infantry at Union City.Coloiiel Travis regiment, 860 men, flint- lock muskets; Colonel Stephens regiment, 851 men, flint-lock muskets; Colonel Douglass regiment, 838 men, flint-lock muskets; Colonel Rus- sells regiment, 737 men, flint-lock muskets; Colonel Carrolls regiment, 744 men, flint-lock muskets; Colonel Picketts 1 egiment, 744 men, flint- lock muskets. At Port Wright.Colonel Smiths regiment, 802 men, percussion muskets; Colonel Walkers regiment, 541 men, flint-lock muskets; Colonel Neelys regiment, 884 men, flint-lock muskets. Cavalry.Five hundred and fourteen men, flint-lock muskets. Artillery.Colonel MeCown, 140 men, flint-lock muskets; Captain Polk, 67 men, flint-lock muskets; sappers and miners, Captain Pickett, 44 men, flint-lock muskets; riflemen, 493, flint lock muskets. The Governor called for 2,000 riflemen, each man to bring his gun, to be taken by the State at valuation amid converted into minie rifles, shooting sixty balls to pound. Iii response to this call ten companies are in camp at Murfreesborough, Middle Tennessee, and their guns are being converted into the minie rifle at the rate of 300 per week. Other companies more than sufficient to fill the call have tendered themselves and are marching or preparing to march into encampment. It is believed tLit from 4,000 to 5,000 men armed in this way can be raised in the State as twelve-months volunteers. - Total infantry, about 19,400; total cavalry, 2,079; total artillery, 558; sappers and miners, 44. The State is making good sabers at ~he rate of thirty per day, cast- ing cannon, making powder, and will soon be doing so on a consider- able scale, as well as making guns in considerable numbers of superior quality; making caps in large quantities. [~~ Page 124 124 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. NORFOLK, VA., August 2, 18G1. Maj. Gen. L. POLK, Commanding Department No. 2, Memphis, Teun.: SIR: I have the honor to state for your information that there will be some little delay in getting the fifty guns forward for want of trans- portation. It will perhaps be to-day week before the last shipment can go from here. I regret to find that these guns will have to be transferred at Bristol, Teun., to other cars, by which soiim further delay will be experienced. I shall go to Richmond on Monday to ask from President Davis an order for a share for our river defenses of the many fine things preparing here for the enemy. Had your requisition been delayed but a few days the last gun \vOuld perhaps have gone from here to defend some creek or inlet which I have never heard of and which, if the enemy were so idle as to think of entering, could have no influence upon the fate of the war. I fear that all the best guns have gone to places of secondary importance, and that the best projectiles are to follow in the same direction. To divert some of them to our own part of the country I will (though not specially authorized by you) do what I can. I wish that the chief of ordnance for Department ~o. 2 could contract for seasoned ash timber to make rammers and sponge staffs and heads. This timber might be fire-seasoned in a few days. I am sure we should have a strong battery near the Narrows at the lower part of Randolph Bluffs, and this without weakening the Fulton defenses. Professor Maury, C. S. iNavy, tells me that he is coming West to plant sub-marine batteries or magazines. There is no place from Cairo to New Orleans, in my opinion, so suitable for these as at the lower I)oint of the Randolph Bluffs. I took the liberty of saying something in my note from Richmond regarding the general scarcity of powder, which is to be, I fear, the most serious want of the Con- federacy. If there should be any additional supplies received from the Ohio country, Ii hope the ordnance department may think of subjecting it to proof trial before paying for it. If in these notes which I may take the liberty of addressing to you I should sometimes seem to go beyond the strict bounds of my official position, I trust that you will see in my doing so no want of respect for your superior authority and information, but a zeal only to do what I can for our cause. I am, very respectfully, I. N. BROWN, [4.] Lieutenant, C. ~. Navy. JACKSON, MISS., August 3, 1861. (Via Chattanooga, Teun.) His Excellency PRESIDENT DAvIS: Artillery and cavalry companies impatient for service. Confederate officers seeking to induce them to go to Missouri. Do you want them sent there~? Our sea-coast is threatened. Nearly all our arms carried into Confederate service. Send me some, if possible. J. J. PETTUS. [Indorsement.] Answer.Companies of artillery may be needed at home. Cavalry might go to Arkansas. We cannot now send arms, though Mississippi has the highest claim for them and shall be remembered. J. D. [1. Page 125 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 125 FORT GAINES, August 4, 18G1. Hon. ROBERT II. SMITH, M. 0., Richmond, Va.: Sin: Within two or three months the enemy will probably be pre- pared to operate against this coast, and will no longer be restrained by climate. That the whole power of the North will be aimed at the cot- ton ports can hardly be doubted. Light-draft gun-boats are under constrnction for the invasion of Southern waters, and some of those boats will probably be found plated with iron. Their land forces will move forward substantially as already projected, and their fleets are bonnd to co-operate in order to prevent the concentration of our forces on the Northern frontier. The demonstration by the fleet may serve as a feint, but is sure to become a real attack if the coast be found feebly guarded. The possibility of any great disaster, like the loss of a cot- ton port, should be avoided by excess of vigilance and preparation. I will speak of Mobile and its defenses only. At present, if Fort Morgan be captured, the city is lost, and if the city be taken the forts must fall. They are mutually dependent Fort Morgan, with proper vigilance, is safe from surprise and sudden assault, and has little to fear, I think, from bombardment by sea. But it is unprepared to sus- tain a siege, and I greatly fear could not close the channel against a determined effort made by common war steamers to enter the bay. It has about seventy guns mounted, forty-five of which bear on the chan- nel, and of these two only are 10-inch columbiads in barbette and two 8-inch in casemate with a narrow field of fire. The rest are 32 and 24 pounders, not very formidable to modern ships of war. We have thir- teen vacant traverse circles for columbiads, but neither the guns nor carriages. As these guns in barbette are intended to traverse a full circle, their fire would be formidable against the land or water. If Fort Morgan were to be besieged the enemy would make his land- ing out of range to the eastward, and, establishing his batteries on that side, would bombard the pla6e at his leisure. The wharf and every landing would be covered by his guns, and the fort would be cut off from all relief by way of the bay. Against relief by laud he would erect his opposing batteries. In order to obviate this difficulty I have proposed to the Department to construch lines across the peninsula, some two miles east of the fort, with two redoubts, one on each shore and half a iriile within the lines, all to be heavily armed with cannon and manned at the proper time by 3,000 men. The peninsula is about three-quarters of a mile wide. Then the enemy cannot land between the redoubts and the fort, for he would be exposed to the fire of all three. Neither can he place himself between the redoubts and the lines, and he is thus pushed forward a gunshot from the lines and wholly out of range of the fort and wharf. Our front is then equal to his, our communication with the town is open, and there is no reason why we should not have as many men and as many guns and munitions as he. But in order to insure all this another condition must be satis- fied, viz, that we must have a naval force in the bay strong enough to dispose of anything that might slip in at night past the fort or to cap- ture armed launches which might be hauled across the peninsula. Anticipating that ironclad steamers will be brought against us, I see no way of stopping them but by stretching a formidable chain, sustained by rafts, across the main ship channel, under the guns of the fort. The channel is a mile wide and forty or fifty feet deep. Over toward Fort Gaines is a 9-foot channel a mile and three-quarters wide, which migh Page 126 126 Sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. be obstructed by crib-work sunk with brickbats and sand. Iron-plated ships detained by such obstacles would probably be destroyed by columbiads. Fort Gaines, though far from a completed state, is capable of receiving its armament. We have already mounted ten 32-pounders and have received two 10-inch columbiads, but no carriages for them. Three more columbiads are absolutely necessary, one for each bastion, and carriages are quite as important as guns. The bastions and traverse circles are ready for the columbiads. Twenty 24-pounder howitzers are necessary for flanking the ditches, and I hear nothing of them. Addi. tional guns to the number of forty are wanted here to arm batteries guarding the island against an enemys landing out of range of the fort. The present garrison is about 400,, and should be increased to 1,000 for the fort and batteries. Grants Pass is tolerably well defended by three 32-pounders, but the addition of an 8-inch columbiad would be advisable. Against the gun-boats which the enemy will bring next fall I cau hardly conceive that we shall be prepared to hold Mississippi Sound, and in case of disaster to our forces in that quarter Mobile will be open to land attack by way of Pascagoula, Portersville, & c. The interven- ing country can be made available for a good defense, but I fear that our preparations might be inadequate, and our positions might be turned, if not forced. A position prepared beforehand in front of the citya semicircle of batteries half a mile apart and connected by curtains for musketrywould be far less liable to danger. They should extend from Choctaw Point along the bay shore to about the two and one-quarter mile circle (from the court-house), and following that circle nearly to Three- Mile Creek, should end at the mouth of One-Mile Creek, above the city. The battery at Choctaw Point, in conjunction with another at or near the mouth of Spanish iRiver, would cover every channel of more than four feet deep leading up the river. The land batteries at the city would not be elaborate or expensive. They would consist of a parapet embanked on the natural soil, with a reverse glacis in front, covering an abatis. They would give shelter to the men and guns, and afford every facility for an advantageous battle. Probably fourteen such bat- teries would be needed. Such preparations as have been suggested would cost some money, esp~cially the closing or obstructing the chan- nel at Fort Morgan. But we must, if necessary, spend our all in this business, certainly hundreds of millions, and I know of no point more worthy the application of a half of one million than Mobile Bay. True economy of money and of life would be consulted by making an attack hopeless. There should be no joint in the armor which covers our vitals. I am not tenacious of details, but if this system or its equiv- alent be not undertaken and carried out promptly Mobile is in danger. The victory at Manassas was stupendous. Very truly, sir, your obedient servant, D. LEADBETTER, [6.j Major of Engineers. UNIoN CITy, August 5,- 1861. Maj.Gen.L. POLK, Memphis: GENERAL: By telegraph to-day I ordered the South Carolina, Ala- bama, and Louisiana companies from Corinth to Memphis. As I had ordered them to leave Corinth for this post to-day at 12 in., I doubt not they were ready and their dcstination changed by your wishes, as I at the same time telegraphed the agent of the Memphis and Charleston liailroad to send them to you without delay. I hope you will hav Page 127 CRAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 127 received them before you get this letter. I am informed that the force at Cairo has to be increased to 12,000 men. This is the lowest estimate. I am also informed from two sources, both of which are believed to be reliable (one of them certainly so), that General Prentiss has assured the Union men of Ballard County, Ky., that he will send troops to pro- tect them, and that after Monday (to.day) he would not regard the neutrality of Kentucky, and only delayed until the election was over lest it might have an unfavorable bearing on their friends. This col- umn is in a sad condition. The two Mississippi regiments have more men fit for duty than all the Tennessee regiments here and at Trenton, if I may judge from the partial reports submitted to me. One regi- ment (Colonel Travis) has not a captain present, and not 100 men for duty. I hope, however, that they may soon return, as it is time this election frolic was over. I send tonight to gain information of the troops at Trenton and to provide them with muster-rolls. But how are troops to be mustered when in one regiment. there are three compa- nies which have not one officer or non-commissioned officer present, and in one of them but seven privates present, and four of them reported sick l I do not make this report for official notice, as I think I can speedily correct these things, if they can be corrected, but to give you information of our condition. I have no cavalry and no means of verifying a hostile movement. The artillery of Captain Polk are, I understand, without harness, and those of Captain Smith with- out horses. Colonel Pickett verbally reports 500 men for difty, with three rounds of ammunition. Colonel Travis has 80,000 cartridges. As I have not been authorized to call for official reports, I can give you nothing (lefinite in regard to the others. As to General Withers bri- gade, I fear from reports that not much can be expected there in a hurry, but of this I suppose you are more fully informed, as I hear that General Withers has gone to Memphis. If the enemy is permitted to occupy the heights above Columbus, which I hear is a very strong natural position, we may have some trouble to dislodge them. It is to be regretted that we are not permitted to occupy them first and fortify them. lt [should] have a head to the column and enable it to cover Randolph and Memphis. For if General Pillow leaves the river, what is to prevent a large force threatening Randolph and Memphis l Hoping that the circumstances will excuse this long and too indefi- nite letter, I am, general, most respectfully, CHAS. CLARK, Brigadier- General, C. S. Army. P. S.May I respectfully suggest that a reconnaissance by a topo- graphical engineer of Columbus could not now be considered a violation of the neutrality of Kentucky. 14.] General L. POLK, Commanding: MEMPHIS, TENN., August 6, 1861. SIR: The undersigned, officers of the Memphis Legion, beg leave to represent that since the war proclamnation of President Lincoln in April last, nearly 4,000 citizens of Memphis and vicinity have gone into the Army of the Southern Confederacy, leaving at home only the heads of families and business men, who cannot go into regular service until com- pelled by dire necessity. Of this class about 700 have formued a military organization, known as the Memphis Legion, many members of which are men of prominence and influemice, who have large amounts investe Page 128 128 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [cHAP. LXIV. in the commercial and manufacturing interests of this place and cannof leave without great pecuniary sacrifice, and, as we believer without great inconvenience to the public. We think it is essentially necessary that the great commercial and manufacturing interests of Memphis should be encouraged and sustained to the utmost extent, that we may continue to furnish that portion of the surrounding country with the supplies and means which are expected of us to maintain the various relations exist- ing between this and other communities. Hence it is, we think, impor- tant that as many of our enterprising merchants and manufacturers should remain at home and so arrange their military connections as to enable them to give a considerable portion of their time to business operations. As originally intended, our organization contemplated no other object than the protection of our families and our homes. It is thonght, however, that we can make our legion more effective for this purpose and more useful to the public by placing ourselves nuder your command, which we will cheerfully do, provided that the War Depart- ment will receive us on the terms proposed or suggested in your memo- randum to Colonel Worsham, namely, to be subject to the order of the commanding general at this place, and to be detailed for duty mainly for the defense of Memphis and immediate vicinity (with the understand- ing that when not on duty our members may be allowed the privilege of attending to their ordinary business). We are led to believe that there are duties required here which can be performed byus under this arrange- ment. The subject of pay and subsistence, together with those of uni- forms and arms, we leave to be settled by yourself and the Department, but.would remark that we are poorly armed and equipped; in fact have not enough, nor but few of the right sort. We hope you are in posses- sion of facts enough to appreciate our motives, and will only add that if you approve of these suggestions and they are practicable and proper, we will feel grateful if you will ascertain the views of the War Depart- ment on the subject, the same to be agreed upon for the term of one year. Respectfully, your obedient servants, L. V. DIXON, Colonel. J. J. WORSHAM, Lieutenant- Colonel. II. 0. LOFLAND, Major. JOHN B WELD, Adjutant. [4.] [AND 9 CAPTAINS.] RICHMOND A Governor T. 0. MOORE, ugust 8, 1861. New Orleans, La.: Will you order the Eleventh and Twelfth regiments to General L. Polk l [4.] L. P. WALKER. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT No. 2, Memphis, Teun., August 9, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War: As Colonel Bowen finds it difficult to adjust the relations of his coin- mand with the quartermasters department in New Orleans, to whic Page 129 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 129 lie was by your Department referred, I have consented for him to go to Virginia for the purpose of adjusting them. Ibfe is all ready for the field, with the exception of arms, and has a fine regiment under his com- mand. He entertains the hope, too, that he might be able to find arms enough for his regiment among those taken at Manassas. If they could be spared, it would be of great consequence to us, as we are wanting his regiment immediately. In my late communications [urged the iiicrease of my force for operations in Missouri and to strengthen our position on the rivers and the frontier of Kentucky. I am satisfied there is to be a strong movement made to overruu Missouri, as all indications testify. Fr~mont has, since he has takeu command, began his work in earnest. He is re])Orted to have concentrated at Cairo 20,000 men and a consid- erable force at Girardeau. I can get the force I want around me with the necessary authority, and I will arm them with the arms of the coun- try uutil our owu armories I am now inaugurating turn out arms. I beg to press upon the Department the indispensable necessity of iucreasing our force. To place the arming of the force here and in the commands drawing their supplies from us on a proper footing, we must have an ordnance force. I beg leave to submit to the Department and to urge upon its adoption the ordnance organization of the Army of Tennessee as it stands, with this exception, that M. II. Wright should be placed at its head with the rank he now has of captain, and the other officers transferred as they stand. This is of great importance to the efficiency of that department with us here. The parties who compose it are all highly intelligent and active, and I know not how, with the armies of Tennessee and Arkansas, and now occasionally Missouri and perhaps Kentucky, drawing upon us, we can keep up our supplies. We shall be able to get all the lead we want from Arkansas, and will in a few days more have two powder factories going near Memphis with large capacity of production. Our cap factory will in a few days turn out over 100,000 caps per day. We are also collecting and adopting arms, but not as rapidly as we might if our powers were enlarged. I remain, respectfully, your obedient servant, LEONIDAS POLK, [4.] Major-General, Commanding Second Department. RIcHMOND, August 13, 1861. Col. W. B. WOOD, Tuscitmbia, Ala.: Proceed immediately with your regiment to IRussellville, Tenn., for duty with General F. K. Zollicoffer. Report by telegraph to General Zollicoffer at Knoxville, Tenn., the probable time of your arrival there. S. COOPER, [4.] Adjutant and Inspector General. General LEONIDAS POLK, Memphis: RIcHMoND, August 13, 1861. Send without delay the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Mississippi Regi- ments, now at Union City, to Rnssellville, Teun., for duty with General F. K. Zollicoffer, whom they will pass at Knoxville, Tenn. Advise General Zollicoffer of departure of these troops when started. S. COOPER, [~1 Adjutant and Inspector General. 9 R RYOL LII, PT I Page 130 130 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Richmond, August 15, 1861. Maj. D. LEAD]3ETTER, Engineer Corps, C. S. Army: MAjon: You will as soon as possible prepare for this Department estimates for the defenses of Mobile suggested in your letter to the Hon. H. H. Smith, of Congress, bearing date August 4, 1861, at Fort Gaines. The defenses shonid be distinctly set forth, and the particular estimate for each one made to appear. Sixteen 10-inch columbiads, with carriages, have been ordered to Mobile for Forts Morgan and Gaines as soon as they can be forwarded by the Ordnance Bureau. You are hereby authorized and directed to have all the 32-pounder gnns referred to in your letter to the Hon. 11. II. Smith rifled without delay and placed in the best position to repel an enemy. Respectfully, L. P. WALKER, [6.] Secretary of War. WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Richmond, August 15, 1861. His Excellency A. B. MooRE, Governor of Alabama: SIR: It is considered by this Department necessary that additional troops shall be sent to Fort Gaines, and I trust Your Excellency will accept for this purpose six companies and that they will be forwarded to Fort Gaines, where they will be mustered into service. Very respectfully, L. P. WALKER, [6.] Secretary of War. MILITARY AND FINANCIAL BOATm, Nashville, Tenn., August 15, 1861. Maj. Gen. LEONIPAS POLK, Memphis: - SlR: Your letter of the 13th to Governor Harris requesting him to send you gunpowder of every description has been sent to this depart- ment. We have but 11,000 pounds of blasting and 35,000 pounds of rifle powder, and are using from 600 to 700 pounds daily in making cartridges and field ammunition. Having sent a great part of onr car- tridges, & c., to Virginia and East Tennessee, we have scarcely any on hand. We have as yet but little saltpeter on hand, and but faint hope of getting it for some time in any considerable quantities. Tinder the circumstances, we feel reluctant to part with any part of our stock, unless there is a necessity for it. If your command requires it, of course we will send it to the last ounce, but we suppose front the last report of the ordnance department at Memphis that you must have double the quantity that we possess here. If you are compelled to have it, let us know. With respect, J. E. BAILEY, Eor the Board. [4. Page 131 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 131 WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Richmond, August 16, 1861. His Excellency HENRY T. CLARK, Governor of North Carolina: SIR: You are requested to cause to be forwarded without delay to Mobile, Ala., thirty 32-pounder guns for the defense of that city. Very respectfully, L. ~. WALKER, [6.] & cretary of War. EXECLTTIYE DEPARTMENT, Raleigh, N. C., August 20, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER, & cretary of War: SIR: Yours of the 16th duly received, requesting me to cause to be forwarded without delay to Mobile, Ala., thirty 32-pounder guns for the defense of that city. Your communication is so briefly stated that I am at a loss to know to what guns you allude. As far as I am informed our extensive line of sea-coast needs every gnu that we have there or that are destined for the coast. I understand there are some 32-pounder guns at the navy.yard in Norfolk that have been set apart for North Carolina. If you allude to those, your order must issue to that place. Very respectfully, HENRY T. CLARK. [6.] ENGINEER BUREAU, Richmond, Va., August 22, 1861. Captain LOCKETT, Corps of Engineers, Fort Gaines, Mobile, Ala.: SIR: The Secretary of War directs that the 32-pounders at Forts Morgan and Gaines be rifled, as proposed by Messrs. Skates & Co., of Mobile. It is presumed that a certain proportion of them should be excepted and be kept for firing round and grape. The mode of rifling pursued here is substantially this: For a 3-inch bore one twist in ten feet, and for larger calibers in the same ratio. This would give for the 32-pounders one twist in twenty-one feet four inches. There are six groovesthe lands and grooves being about equal. The depth of the latter for an 8-inch gnu is one-tenth of an inch. For a 32-pounder they might be a trifle shallower. The twist is uniform. The rifled motion is imparted by a wedging-ring of brass or pewter at the rear end of the shot, wedged into the grooves by the explosive force. This ring may be two inches wide, one-quarter inch thick at the rear edge, and very thin in front. It is cast on, and the shot has grooves or cavities on its conical part to retain the ring. But the details of the shot will be forwarded to you by the Ordnance Bureau. Some columbiad carriages (four) are expected for you from Charleston without delay. You are authorized to have made any gun carriages which are necessary for mounting your guns, whether columbiads, flank, casemate, or siege. It is only requisite that your action herein be promptly reported to the Engineer Bureau. A Mr. Chamberlain, of Mobile, advertises to do such work promptly. Skates & Co. may be avail- able. It is my opinion, corroborated by that of Major Gorgas, that o Page 132 132 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. the land fronts our 24-pounders should be mounted on siege carriages, and the embrasures be cut out of the parapet. Even some 32-pounders might be mounted in the same way. We thus diminish the throat of the embrasure, I think, and gain the advantage of withdrawing the guns with facility, changing their location, or placing them in sheltered positions to fire in ricochet. I have recommended to the Secretary of War the construction of field- works across the peninsula, about two miles east of Fort Morgan. They must be strong enough to take care of themselves. At the proper dis- tance from the fort I judge that the ground is not favorable for contin- uous lines, and that the defenses should consist of detached works. A strong redoubt on the south-shore ridge, armed with four columbiads bearing on the Gulf and ou the peninsula, would command both the land and water. Another toward the north shore, less formidable in its armament, would combine with the first in the land and bay defense. A swamp lies between, which, with some slight works for musketry and field artillery, would make a strong defense. Some field guns also should be placed in the redoubts. It is presumed that the exposed faces of the parapets of the redoubts should be twenty-five or thirty feet thick. A second line similar to the first should be placed between it and the fort, probably on a ridge which tends to cross the peninsula in a diago- nal direction southeasterly. The object is, first, to keep the enemy out of gunshot of the wharf, so that our communications can be kept open; and, secondly, with an equal front to fight the battle on equal terms. A railroad should lead from the wharf to all the works. At Fort Gaines I have proposed shore batteries from the fort west- erly along the south shore as far as the woods extend, and strong bat- teries across the island at that point. Some thirty or forty guns, large and small, would suffice for this. What can be done to cover the channels against theentrance of iron- clad steamers ~ I have proposed a heavy chain suspended from cypress rafts for the ship channel, and crib-work sunk with brickbats between the west bank and Fort Gaines. It is far from satisfying my mind in any point of view, but I have nothing better to offer. At Mobile I have proposed to erect field-works around the city at about the two-mile-and-a-quarter curve from the court house. Iledoubts at a mile apart, with intervening redansthe latter flanked by musketry and field gunswould seem to be the best disposition. A few heavy guns should be mounted on the redoubts. At Choctaw Point there shoukt be placed, as the left wing of the system, a water battery, with two columbiads, and on the little marshy island east of and near the mouth of Spanish River another of a simi- lar kind. These two would command all the channels deeper than four feet. The line of land defenses would continue to Three-Mile Creek, thence to the mouth of One-Mile Creek. It is presumed that we shall not be able to hold Mississippi Sound, and an advance against Mobile by way of Pascagoula or Portersville would then become feasible. Grants Pass should have a columbiad. In relation to all these proposed defenses the Secretary directs that estimates be transmitted without delay. I have roughly estimated in my own mind that it cannot exceed *500,000. Please do your endeavor at it, giving the approximate quantities and cost. I have telegraphed to Mr. Sanford to send on a draft for $10,000 in my favor, and he will get Treasury notes for it. This is all I can do for you financially at the present moment, as the appropriation for armament has been exhauste Page 133 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 133 and that for fortifications has not been made. It is expected to be taken up this week, and then I shall be able to cause to be remitted to you some $30,000 for August. Very truly, sir, your obedient servant, D. LEADBETTER, [6.1 Major of Engineers, Chief of Bureau. GENERAL ORDERS, BRIG-ADE HEADQUARTERS, No. 5. Knoxville, Teun., August 26, 1861. Col. W. E. Baldwin will move his command by rail on the morning of the 28th instant from Russeilville to Haynesville, East Tenn., where a wagon train is being provided for the use of his command, and so soon as the same is procured he will move his regiment by way 01 Elizabethtown to Fish Springs, near the Johnson County line, and there encamp until further orders. By order of F. K. Zollicoffer, brigadier-general, commanding. P. B. LEE, [4.] Assistant Adjutant. General. RICHMOND, August 27, 1861. General B. BRAGG, Pensacola, Fla.: The Secretary of War directs that Capt. S. II. Lockett, of engineers, be ordered to take the place of Maj. D. Leadbetter at Forts Morgan and Gaines, Mobile Bay, Major Leadbetter having been placed in charge of the Engineer Bureau in this city. S. COOPER, [6.] Adjutant and Inspector General. SPECIAL ORDERS, ~ ADJT. AND INSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 136. Richmond, August 28, 1861. * * * * * * * V. Capt. Samuel H. Lockett, corps of engineers, will proceed to Fort Morgan, Mobile Bay, Ala., and report to the commanding officer for duty in charge of the works at Forts Morgan and Gaines. * * * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: RiO. WITHERS, [6.] Assistant Adjutant- General. RICHMOND, August 28, 1861. General LEONIDAS POLK, Memphis: Your dispatch submitted to the President.* Before he cau decide the question it is necessary you should send to this office a statement of the forces now under your command, and their distribution, with a See Polk to Cooper, August 243, Yol. III, p. 6S2 Page 134 134 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. staP~ment also of the other troops which your telegram indicates to be necessary to future operations. Please write by mail fully as to your plan of operations, garrisons, moving columns, & c. S. COOPER, [3.] Adjutant and Inspector General. MAIDEN SPRINGS, TAzEWELL COUNTY, VA., August 29, 1861. General F. K. ZOLLICOFFER: DEAR SIR: Permit me to call your attention to the exposed condi- tion of this country. There is no part of Southwest Virginia more exposed than this immediate section. We are directly upon a line of good turnpike road that leads from the salt-works in Washington County through Buchanan County to the Kentucky line. Should Ken- tucky pass through the revolution to which her steps are tending, then it would be very important at once to fortify and guard the narrow mountain passes through Buchanan County, where 100 men can do more in a fight than 500 in the open valley; or, if an attempt should ever be made to re-enforce the Union men of East Tennessee from the North or Kentucky, then that re-enforcement would naturally pass through this country. Tazewell County is sound, and although we have sent about our quota of volunteers (a few still lacking), yet we have a sufficient force to defend ourselves. Many good men over forty- five will go in defense of our country and our rights whenever necessary. We want authority to go and the usual pay. Please take this matter in hand and let me hear from you soon. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, [4.] HENRY S. BOWEN, Colonel 188th Regiment Virginia Militia. RICHMOND, August 31, 1861. General L. POLK, itfemphis, Tenn.: How many infantry companies from Alabama have reported to you for duty, or are tinder your command ~ Give their names, so that they may be organized. [~~1 L. P. WALKER. By authority in us vested by Maj. Gen. Leonidas Polk, commanding Military Department No. 2, the following orders are issued by the com- mittee, consisting of W. B. Greenlaw, R. C. Brinkley, Sam. Tate, M. J. Wicks, and E. W. Munford: HEADQUARTERS MILITARY COMMITTEE, [General L. POLK:] Memphis, September 2, 1861. SIR: Wishing to aid you in the very important service of keeping all military matters under your command secret from the enemy, we call your attention to the following points: First. A member of this committee has this day been informed from Cincinnati that hundreds of Northerners are coming in this directio Page 135 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. CONFEDERATE. 135 almost daily, many of them for the purpose of collecting information. We are not prepared to advise that no one should be allowed to come into Tennessee through Kentucky, and we ask whether, in your opinion, increased vigilance under the passport system to prevent persons from going out will protect the service in this particular l Second. Soldiers who are out of camp on furlough in many instances talk with unrestrained license of the numbers, condition, complaints, purposes, and prospects of the various commands, and thus, no doubt inadvertently, give publicity to particulars which should not be known. They spread a spirit of disquiet amongst our own people, and can be easily picked up and communicated by spies. We think furloughs should not be granted except in extreme cases, and then only on the most solemn pledge of honor that no particulars about the command should be communicated. How far printed furloughs, with this pledge in their face, should be adopted is, we think, worthy of your consideration. Third. Civilians have been allowed to go into the camps in numbers. Many of them have by their narrations greatly contributed to the dis- satisfaction which has of late been so clamorous in our midst. They have talked freely and publicly of misunderstandings amongst officers, of demoralization of the troops, & c., all of which you will at once see is calculated to bring the service into disrepute and perhaps cripple the efficiency of our army. We think civilians should be kept out of camp, except in very extreme cases, and then only allowed on pass- ports from the principal in command and upon a solemn pledge ol the most perfect secrecy in reference to what they see and hear in camp upon their return. All of which is most respectfully submitted. WM. B. GREENLAW, [4.] Chairman. ALLEGHANY SPRING, September 3,1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War, Richmond: DEAR SIR: In accordance with my promise to you, I proceed to write down the views expressed at your house last Sunday evening respect- ing the defenses of Mobile. As then said, I have not supposed there was any danger of an attack during the summer, but that I have seen it stated in Northern war journals that Mobile and New Orleans would be assailed in the fall with the view of seizing the crop and of affording a basis of operations against the interior. I saw the matter treated pointedly and at length, and more than once, in the INew York Herald and also in the Tribune. Indeed, I do not see how the enemy expects to conduct a war of conquest or to redeem his promise of sending the cotton forward to England (which I understand he has assured England he will do) without an attempt upon the great cotton ports. I am, therefore, impressed with the idea that we may look for an attack on Mobile this fall, unless it and the contiguous country be put in a state of efficient defense. I understand that Fort Morgan has a regiment, under Colonel Maury, and is tolerably prepared to defend the main ship entrance to Mobile, except that it has not the required number of large guns. General Hardee told me that to defend the channel with certainty more large guns were necessary at Fort Morgan, as well as defenses at Fort Gaines. I am of opinion that more large guns are necessary at Fort Gaines, but I am not able to express any reliabl Page 136 136 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. (CHAP. LXIV. opinion on these subjects, and therefore beg to refer you to the recent letter of Colonel Leadbetter, which I left with you, and which I desire you will forward to me at Mobile, that I may lay it before Colonel Maury and Colonel Gardner at an early day. I have examined Forts Morgan and Gaines with all the care I could, and it seems to my uned- ucated eye that with the large guns which they are prepared to receive no vessel could enter the channel to Mobile. Then the first thing to be done, it seems to me, is to see that a sufficient number of large guns be sent forward to their destination to enable these forts to reach with certainty every craft attempting to pass, and to return an effective fire upon every vessel of war that may attempt to throw shot and shell into them from a distance, out of range of the present armaments of these forts, one of which at least (Gaines) does not pretend to be bomb-proof. It strikes me that the importance of Fort Gaines rests mainly on the fact that there is a channel near it which will admit of vessels of con- siderable size, and that this channel is so far from Morgan as to render the fire of the guns from Morgan on a moving object unreliable. If Gaines were destroyed, as it can be by a fire thrown from out of the range of its guns, I see no certainty of preventing armed vessels of light-draft from passing into Mobile Bay. To make the direct approaches to Mobile by water perfectly secure, it seems to me there should be a Light battery at Choctaw Point and one at the entrance to Spanish River. Supposing the enemy prevented from coming to the city or within a few miles of it by water, and yet supposing him desirous of taking it, the reasonable conjecture is that he will land a force below and march to the city. The various channels from the Gulf into Mississippi Sound and the number of excelleiit landing-places on the sound would enable him to do this without encountering any other obstacle than such as he might meet with from the main coast. Once on land, he would find a sparsely populated country, with excellent roads to the city. Or, should Grants Pass not be defended, he could by light vessels come to MojMle through this pass. But I learn that Grants Pass is defended; and if not, it can be so easily done that I pass this matter without further comment and return to the question of repelling the enemy should he attempt to come into the sound and land and march on the city. At present I know of no available force to prevent this, and yet the matter is of easy and cheap attainment. It does not strike me, how- ever, that this is to be done by planting batteries along the coast, for these cannot be placed all along the shore, and hence the enemy would select some point for landing where you had no batteries and turn around the defenses. The coast then must be defended by a movable force of artillery, infaiitry, and cavalry, and it would not require a large one of either. What are the means at hand to obtain these6? First. There is an excellent cavalry company now doing duty as scouts on the coast which I think would be sufficient for this arm. It is in service under General Twiggs. My idea is that we only want cavalry enough to keep a sharp lookoizit for the approach of the enemy by sea, so that the land forces may have timely warning of when and where to aet. The company of light artillery in Mobile may need a gun or two, and a few horses, carriages, and caissons to make it complete. It needs mustering into service and drilling. The members of it would not probably go into service for the war, nor without some assurances that they were to serve near home, for the members are men of family, and generally are not in a condition to go far from home for a long time. The horses necessary, as well as the other equipments named, can be easily aiid quickly procured in Mobile at moderate cost. There ar Page 137 CHAP. Lxiv.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 137 two regiments at least of well-armed infantry in Mobile that with a little camp dnty and training would be very effective. I doubt not but they would enter the service for the coast defense, but, like the artil- lery company, their condition in life would not permit them to make long enlistments nor to go far from home. The Governor of Alabama would no donbt arm and equip one or more other regiments for this service, and I understand that the Governor of Mississippi is organiz- ing regiments for home defenses, and that he proposes placing two of them at Enterprise, on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, within six hours run of Mobile. With a sharp lookout the artillery and infantry force indicated could drive off or beat any force that the enemy could prob- ably land, or, at all events, could hold him in check until re-enforce- ments could be obtained. Now, how is this force to be rendered efficient ~ Plainly, in the way that all such objects are accomplished. By organization, of which at present there is none. General Twiggs has command of the defenses of all that country; Colonel Maury has command of Fort Morgan; Colonel Gardner of Fort Gaines, but no one of any forces on the coast indicated. It seems to me you want a bri- gade there, and if so, you want a brigadier to command themto organize the forces, to put them in camp on the coast, and to bring them np to a state of discipline and to take them into action. Fortu- nately the coast is very favorable for a camp and for defense. It is a rolling, healthy, well-watered country. It is intersected with small streams running into the bay, which would have to be ascended for some distance by the enemy in order to be crossed without bridges, by reason of which he could be fought to advantage and easily checked until re-enforcements could be had and the body of troops in the field brought down en masse upon him. I learn, and indeed know, that there is a deficiency of powder, & c., for small-arms, but of course when any l)lan shall be adopted the officer in command must make uis requisition. It is my opinion that steps ought to be taken with dispatch for the defense of our coast, and I ha~etherefore ventured to do whatl seldom do, express my opinion about matters respecting which I cannot be supposed to have any right to be heard. General McRae and I inti- mated that General Jones M. Withers would be an acceptable person to have command of our coast defenses, and I think so, but General W[ithers] is probably ambitious of a wider field of action. Send us any competent man; one of energy and of resources, one who will put life and action and power into the movement, and who will make our people feel his force and strength and capacity, and my word for it, an enemys foot will not press upon Mobile this winter. Without some- thing of the kind shall be done, I expect to see the city occupied by the enemy by or before January. I have hitherto abstained from mak. ing any suggestions to Government about this- matter, because I knew I might be justly charged with officiousness, and I should not have written this letter but upon your request. I have the honor to be, sir, your friend and obedient servajit, li. H. SMITH. P. S.Let me repeat what I said verbally, that Mr. Leslie, of Clai- borne, Ala., has the most extensive and complete machinery for making wagons which I have seen in the South, and to direct the attention of Government to it as a resource for transportation. He has had to dis- charge his hands for want of employment, but his machinery is there, and he has on hand a large amount of timber. He told me he would be glad to get contracts from Government payable in Treasury notes Page 138 138 sw. VA., KY, TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. but failed to attract attention, and his money being exhausted, he dis. charged his hands. I inclose you an article from the Mobile Evening News of August 29, respecting the defenses of Mobile, and commend to your attention the views of the writer respecting the motives the enemy have for taking the post and city. R. II. S. [Inclosure.] LOOK TO OUR HOMES. The people of Mobile have nobly contributed to the war of independ- ence in which the country is engaged. We have imo data by which to arrive at an estimate of the amount disbursed by private liberality in the equipment of troops for the field, but we have seen enough to be satisfied that if figured up it would present an aggregate which would do honor to the patriotic zeal of a community always noted for its pri- vate beneficence and public spirit, in this connection we wish to note a fact and n~tter a word of necessary warning. We have been accus- tomed to look upon Virginia as the seat of war, and our love of coun- try and its cause have concentrated all our thoughts, energies, and sym- pathies upon that field of campaign. True, Virginia was the principal and great battle-ground. Our Government was there, our Virginia brothers were invaded, and the purses of our people flew open, and our young men rushed to arms to go to their succor. All this was nobly done and from the noblest impulses, and we are not to be understood as begrudging one dollar or one stout heart that has gone to help drive the invader from the soil of the Old iDominion: We took up the pen to remind the citizens of Mobile of an important fact which has been lost sight of and overshadowed by the exciting and brilliant events transpiring in Virginia. The fact is that we, the people of Mobile, are at war with the Lincoln Government. The time is at hand when it is no longer safe or pardonable to ignore this fact. Our city authorities have given proof that they have not been unmindful of the gravity of its import. That proof is that they have exhausted all the means within their power to provide arms and military stores to meet a hostile danger which in all human probability is in store for this city. Fully conscious that the limited means afforded by the city treasury were inadequate to the demands for defense, the authorities made an appeal to the people to submit to a trifling voluntary tax (the city government having no power to levy a compulsory one) for the purpose of placing the city in a posture of defense. The proposition was met with a storm of clamor, and the Government, unwilling to risk the moral effect abroad of a defeat before the people of a tax measure to raise $50,000 to defend millions of property and the lives of men, women, and children, with- drew the order submitting the question. The time may soon come when those who smothered this appeal to the patriotism of the citizens of Mobile will discover that they have been penny wise and pound foolish in mounting that favorite hobby of demagoguesresistance to taxation. But a danger is rising before us in whose presence the policy of temporizers and time-servers must be thrust aside with public contempt. If our enemy does not continue to act with that fatuity which has so far marked his military course, if those who rule his military councils are in earnest in this war of depredation and subjugation, they cannot help seeing that Mobile presents the most alluring and the most salient point of attack during the coming autumn. The possession of the forts that command our harbor, the bay, and the city of Mobile would giv Page 139 CnAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 139 the enemy a strategic point of operations the most important to him on the Gulf coast. It would give him a harbor for his fleet, a base of operations into the interior and upon New Orleans. It is of more value to him than Pensacola, because with the latter he could only reach Mobile by boats, which could not be commanded without command of Mobile Bay. With Mobile Bay, Pensacola would be assailable by land, and General Bragg would have two armies to fight, in his front and rear. Like ourselves, the people of New Orleans are exposed, and, like prndent and sensible people, they are busy with preparation to meet so probable an event as an attack. It will not do for us to defer action, because it is the duty of the Confederate or the state government to take measures for our safety. The first has its hands full iu Virginia, Missouri, and the northern border. It is manfully straining every nerve in the grand struggle and is gloriously upholding the cause. Governor Moore has sent guns to the forts and ammunition to the city. His general-in-chief (Clemens) has been here by his orders to look after the citys safety. It is not yet safe. We have the best military authority for saying it can be made so, and, fortunately, with no very large expenditure of money. Until Forts Morgan and Gaines are secured against attack from a landing force, Mobile is in danger. Those forts rendered impregnable to assault or siege by land (we have no fears of the enem-ys fleet), we have nothing left to apprehend but a laud attack from the direction of Bayou la Batre, and when that comes we must go half way to meet it in the field. It would take a very little time to rally 20,000 Mississippians and Alabamians to our aid. But if the forts are carried, Mobile becomes untenable in its present condition. Our foe can lay out of danger, shell the people out of the city, and level its edifices to the ground. What we want, then, is guns, big guns, far- reaching guns; first to fortify the land approaches to the two forts, and next, if they are carried, the approaches to the city. If we cannot get them from the Government at Richmond or Montgomery, we must make them ourselves. But to get them we must have money. We want, besides, a military head to our Mobile forces, engineer and artil- lery officers to determine the location and superintend the construction of batteries, and some armed steamers iii the bay. The latter should lie constantly within reach of the two forts, so as to transport troops from one to the other in case of attack on either, and to hasten to the city for other troops. We repeat, we, the people of Mobile, are at war, and it is no longer safe to sleep upon the serious fact. We are author- ized to say that the city authorities are alive to the danger that threat- ens, but are powerless to provide against it without the earnest and zealous assistance of the people. So far the two potent spells of climatedread of yellow fever and Gulf stormshave protected us. In a few weeks those safeguards will be removed, and then we must rely upon big guns and men to fight them. Let the people think upon it. [6.1 KNOXVILLE, September 4, 1861. L. P. WALI~TER: I will take possession of the road as soon as I can possibly perfect an arrangement to run it. Mr. Langdon, agent of the quartermaster- general, and Major Wallace, president East Tennessee and Georgia Railroad, are now aiding to perfect arrangements.~ F. K. ZOLLICOFFER, [4.3 Brigadier- General. See Walker to Zollicofier, September 4, Vol. IV, p. 401 Page 140 140 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA.., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. By authority in us vested by Maj. Gen. Leonidas Polk, commanding Military Department No.2, the following orders are issued by the corn- inittee, consisting of W. B. Greenlaw, iR. C. Brinkley, Sam. Tate, 14. J. Wicks, and E. W. Munford: HEADQUARTERS MILITARY COMMITTEE, Memphis, September 4, 1861. Maj. Gen. LEONIDAS POLK, Commanding Division 2, 0. S. Army, Memphis, Tenn.: SIR: I have been appointed by the citizens to go with Judge Clayton and others to Richmond to secure, if possible, the military services of General Johnston to the Mississippi Valley. I had determined to with- stand the solicitations that I go as one of the delegates. This grew out of the delicate relationship I sustained as one of the military committee to yourself. Judge Clayton, however, has told me the conversation he had with you in reference to the proposed appointment; tnat you had been in advance of us all in this matter by writing to General Johnston and the President, urging it for the common good, and that in going so far from violating the most fastidious sense of propriety I would really be acting in harmony with your expressed wishes if I contributed to the result. This statement at once relieves me, and the path of patri- otic duty opens clearly before my vision. I go. You will at once perceive the feeling which prompts this letter. You are away in the discharge of your duties, or my communication would have been face to face, and I hope you will excuse the blunt frankness which impels me to state not only my own but the universal approbation of the mag- nanimity and elevated patriotism you have displayed by your course in this matter. May heaven bless you, general, and long spare you to our country which you are serving with such singleness of heart. Adieu. Respectfully, your friend, E. W. MUNFORD. [4.] MILITARY AND FINANCIAL BOARD, Yashville, Tenn., September 6, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of TYar, Richmond, Va.: SIR: Permit us to call your attention to the condition of the quarter- masters and commissary departments of the Confederate army in Eastern and Middle Tennessee. In neither of these departments is the staff complete, and requisitions are daily made upon the State of Ten- nessee to supply the wants of Confederate troops in the State. We have been compelled even to advance money with which to bny forage and fresh provisions. The condition of our treasury is now such that we cannot longer answer such demands, and hope that steps will be taken immediately to relieve us from the painful necessity of a refusal. The ordnance department, which, under instructions, will be turned over to Government, will also require a fund to be sent here in order to con- tinue its operations. Payments have been made weekly, and the cap factory and pyrotechnic establishment, in which fuses, friction-primers, & c., are being made, and shells are being filled, will necessarily be stopped unless provision shall be made by the Government for continu- ance of the work. We are not inclined to deal with the Government as with strangers and to refuse to do all in our power to promote ou Page 141 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 141 common interest, but the failure to receive any part of the money already expended by Tennessee makes it very doubtful whether we will be able to pay our debts already contracted. We are, with high respect, your obedient servants, J. E. BAILEY. NEILL S. BROWN. W. G. HARDING. KNOXVILLE, TENN., September 6, 1861. Adjutant-General COOPER, Richmond: If the Mississippi regiments are to be moved, please let me know, that I maymake other dispositions accordingly. If not, I will send them on the little expeditions designated in mine of 3d instant. F. K. ZOLLICOFFER, [4.] Brigadier- General. RICHMOND, September 6,1861. General F. K. ZOLLICOFFER: The two Mississippi regiments are only to be removed if not required by you. S. COOPER, [4.j Adjutant and Inspector General. BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, Knoxville, September 7, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER: Plans for getting all freights through nearly complete. It is neces- sary that Dr. W. S. Morris, president telegraph company, Lynchburg, shall without delay connect the Knoxville depot of East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad by telegraph with Bristol, and also establish a tele- gral)h office at Mossy Creek, in East Tennessee. Please order them to do this. F. K. ZOLLICOFFER. [4.] KNOXVILLE, September 7, 1861. Adjutant-General COOPER: I think it advisable to retain the Mississippi regiments at present. F. K. ZOLLICOFFER, [4.] Brigadier- General. COLUMBUS, Kr., September 8, 1861. Governor MAGOFFIN, Frankfort, Ky.: A military necessity having required me to occupy this town, I have taken possession of it by the forces under my command. The circum- stances leading to this act were promptly reported to the President of the Confederate States. His reply was, the necessity justified th Page 142 142 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. action. A copy of my proclamation to the people of Columbus I have the honor to transn4t you by mail. Respectfully, your obedient servant, [4.] LEONJDAS POLK. KNOXVILLE, TENN., September 9, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER: Took military possession of railroad Saturday, 7th. Hope all soon be right. F. K. ZOLLICOFF ER, [4.] Brigadier- General. BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, Knoxville, September 9, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War, Richmond, Va.: SIR: Your letter of the 5th instant has been received. In a letter from your Department dated August 7, 1861, you said, You are authorized to accept companies as indicated by Mr. Pridemore and employ them in the service solicited until otherwise directed. In obedience to these instructions I issued the inclosed order. This order proceeds upon the views as indicated by Mr. Pridemore, a copy of whose letter to Governor Letcher on the subject you forwarded to me at the same time. The companies that have been formed and tendered their services to me from the counties of Lee and Scott have been organized in conformity to this general order. I have ordered all the organized companies in these counties to be mustered into the service of the Confederate States upon the conditions made in my order. Inclosed I send you a copy of a letter signed by a number of citizens of Sneedville, Ya.~ Very respectfully, F. K. ZOLLICOFFElI, Brigadier- General. [Inclosure.] GENERAL ORDERS, BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, No. 2. Knoxville, Tenn., August 14, idGi. I am authorized to receive into the service of the Provisional Army of the Confederate States volunteer infantry companies to be formed in Lee and Scott Counties, Va., for the term of twelve months, or during the war, the companies to furnish their own rifles and to be employed in guarding the mountain passes in and on the borders of said counties and the county of Wise, in Virginia, and in other duty within said counties. Captains of companies making tenders will address me at Knoxville and will receive further instructions. F. K. ZOLLICOFFER, [4.] Brigadier-General, Commanding, C. S. Army. RICHMOND, VA., September 10, 1861. Maj. V. K. STEVENSON, Assistant Quartermaster, Richmond, Va.: SIR: In assuming the duties of chief of the quartermaster~s depart- ment in the States of Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, and Arkansas, * See Vol. IV, p.404 Page 143 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 143 Nashville, in Tennessee, is designated as the point at which your prin- cipal depot of supplies will be established aud where you will be sta- tioned. The objects confided to your supervision empower you to establish sub-depots at the most eligible points within the district of country designated above for supplying the various divisions of the army in the field, as also the several military camps. The clothing for the army in sufficient quantities for the several commands is an object of the utmost solicitude, and to keep up the necessary supply you will please direct your especial attention. Tents, camp kettles, mess-pans, axes, spades, picks, crowbars, hatchets, & c., comprise the camp and gar- rison equipage that you will be called upon to furnish from time to time, and which should be renewed in anticipation of demands for it. The item of transportation, so essential to the successful movement of troops on campaign, you should at once organize, by collecting at convenient points wagons, harness, and draft animals adequate to the magnitude of the military operations that will be conducted during the war. The cities of New Orleans and Mobile are now the depots for supplying large bodies of troops. At these points officers of the Quartermasters Department are stationed for the purposeMaj. I. T. Winnemnore at New Orleans and Mr. Julius Hessee at Mobile. Shoald circumstances render it necessary for you to seek supplies in those markets, you should do so through the agents named. Maj. W. J. Anderson is the depot quartermaster at Memphis and Maj. George W. Clarke at Fort Smith, Ark. Major Clarke has been drawing supplies for General McCullochs command from New Orleans. In future you will supply them. From your perfect familiarity with the resources of the States in which your operations will be conducted, it is with the utmost confidence you are intrusted with the high duties of your office. Funds will be remitted you on your estimates ibr purchasing supplies and disbursement for hire of houses, labor, & c. Make your estimates in time, and designate how they should be sent and the kind; how much in Confederate bonds and how much in Treasury notes. Clerks are limited to $1,000 per annum. A. C. MYERS, [4.] Quartermaster- General. RICHMOND, September 10, 1861. Brig. Gen. F. K. ZOLLICOFFER, Knoxville, Teun.: Your dispatch and letter of the 8th received. My telegram had reference to your previous letters on the subject, and your letter of the 8th has reference to the 7,000. 1 am afraid it is now too late; but if not, fulfill the order. You must judge whether it is prudent to make the movement. S. COOPER, [4.] Adjutant and Inspector General. Governor A. B. MOORE, RICHMOND, September 11, 1861. Montgomery, Ala.: I understand that there are several heavy guns lying at Montgomery. Will you make the inquiry, and if this be so, have them sent to Mobile at once. [0.1 L. P. WALKER Page 144 144 SW. VA., KY., TENN, MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. RICHMOND, & ptember 11, 1861. Governor A. B. MOORE, Montgomery, Ala.: Yes; send the gun to Mobile unless it be the one presented to the Government by Mr. Calhoun, of Dallas, which is inscribed as so presented. L. P. WALKER. [6.] WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Richmond, & ptember 11, 1861. JOHN L. HOPKINS, Esq., Chattanooga, Tenn.: SIR: Your letter of September 10 is received. This Department fully appreciates the importance and acknowledges the force of the views which you urge with regard to the condition of East Tennessee, and is disposed to make every effort within its power both to encourage and confirm our own friends in that section and to secure also, if possi- ble, the allegiance of all the people of East Tennessee to our Govern. ment. To this end no effort consistent with the public interests shall at any time be neglected. But it is not possible at present to accept any troops for twelve months unless fully armed. If this were merely an established rule of policy on the part of this Department it might well be waived in a case so exceptional and suI)ported by so peculiar considerations as that which you present; but now, however, it is imposed by the necessities of our situation. It is not at present in the power of the Government to arm any new troops, and all the arms probably within the early reach of the Government are already pre- engaged for troops enlisted for the war and already organized and waiting only arms. Under, these circumstances it would be impossible to furnish arms to additional troops within a limited rtime]; nor would it be proper even to promise them to troops enlisted for twelve months only, whose term of enlistment might be in great measure expired before the arms could be furnished, while troops for the war might thus be left unarmed. The necessity of this policy will doubtless be appre- ciated by you. If fully armed, however, with such arms as could be obtained, a regiment of infantry raised as you propose and organized by the election of its own field officers would be accepted for twelve months, if offered only for that time. I take the liberty of suggesting, however, that the considerations which you so forcibly urge in favor of the immediate organization of troops in East Tennessee would also seem to argue that the troops there organized should be enlisted f& r the war if possible. Very respectfully, L. P. WALKER, [~~1 Secretary of War. BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, Knoxville, September 12, 1861. Col. W. S. STATHAM, Fifteenth Mississippi Regiment, Knoxville: The delay that has taken place since the order of 10th instant was given to you makes it necessary for me to countermand the order. You will therefore without delay, instead of the march directed, marc Page 145 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 145 with your regiment direct to Cumberland Gap (via Tazewell and May- nardvil]e), and thence to a junction with Colonel Newmans command at Cumberland Ford, or wherever it may be. ZOLLICOFFEII, [4.] Brigadier- General. SPECIAL ORDERS, ADJT. AND JNSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 151. Richmond, September 12, 1861. * * * * * * * IX. The following officers and cadets will proceed to Memphis, Tenn., and report for duty to General A. S. Johnston, commanding Depart- ment No. 2, viz: Lieut. Col. W.W. Mackall, assistant adjutant-general, Provisional Army; Capt. H.P. Brewster, assistant adjutant-general, Pro- visional Army; Maj. Albert J. Smith, assistant quartermaste Provis~ ional Army; Snrg. G. W. Bayliss, medical department, Provisional Army; Capt. J. S. Powell, assistant quartermaster, Provisional Army; Capt. William N. H. Beau, C. S. infantry; First Lient. Joseph Dixon, corps of artillery, C. S. Army; First Lieut. Moses H. Wright, corps of artillery, C. S. Army; First Lient. Nathaniel Wickliffe, C. S. infantry; First Licut. A. B. Hardeastle, C. S. infantry; First Lient. Arthur ShaaW C. S. infantry; First Lient. Frank S. Armistead, C. S. infantry; First Lieut. W. E. Burnet, C. S. infantry; Second Lient. E. B. D. Riley, C. S. infantry; Second Lient. James Bowles, C. S. infantry; Second Lieut. H. H. Brewer, C. S. cavalry; Second Lient. S. P. Kerr, C. S. infantry; Second Lieut. T. J. Clay, C. S. infantry; Cadet E. T. Fre~ man, C. S. infantry; Cadet F. M. Staffbrd, C. S. infantry. * * * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, [4.] Assistant Adjutant- General. COLUMBUS, Ky., September 13, 1861. General BUCKNER, Nashville: Maj. Gei~. Reuben Davis, of Aberdeen, Miss., telegraphs me to know whether I will receive the 2,000 troops offered to you by humn, to be coin- manded by him, for operations in Kentucky, together with 1,000 extra stand of arms, expenses to be paid by Confederate Government. My advice is that you submit the L)roposition to President Davis and inform General Reuben Davis you have done so. L. POLK. [4.] RICHMOND, VA., September 13, 1861. (Received 0 p. iii.) General A. S. JOHNSTON, Chattanooga: You will go via Nashville, confer with Governor Harris, and, after learning the facts, political and military, decide in relation to Bowling Green.* [4.] JEFFERSON DAVIS. * For reply, see Johnston to Davis, Vol. IV, p. 193. 10 R RVOL LII. PT l Page 146 146 Sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. NASHVILLE, September 13, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War, C. S. A.: SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your telegraph of the 4th instant; also your letters of the 30th ultimo* and 7th instant.t I hope to transmit by to-morrows mail a draft of the deed of transfer from the State of Tennessee to the Confederate States4 I have sug- gested to State quartermasters and commissaries, at posts where there are no Confederate officers in their department, the propriety of con- tinuing iu their duties and acting as special officers for the Confederate Government to receive and issue Confederate supplies until relieved or reappointed by the Department; and in the meanwhile to have their State bonds and securities indorsed over to the Confederate Govern- ment an4 report the same to headquartei sin Richmond. I think these commissaries and quartermasters would act more promptly in this mat- ter if the Department would issue orders to the commanding officers of their brigades and regiments to see that these special officers have their securities properly transferred to the Confederate Government without delay. Very respectfully, your obediemi t servant, KENSEY JOHNS, [4.] Assistant Quartermaster. RICHMOND, September 14 1861. Governor A. B. MOORE, Montgomery, A La:: Arm the regiment at Mobile, and either the regiment of T. 11. Watts, I. W. Garrott, or E. C. Bullock. L. P. WALKER. [6.] ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky., September 14, 1861. Hon. L. P. WALKER, Secretary ~f War: DEAR SIR: I write to you upon the subject which I addressed Hon. J. P. Benjamin upon a week since. Prompt action must be taken by your Government in the internal arrangements of this State if you wish to prevent the war from ragimig upon the Tennessee border and transfer it to the Ohio. rfhe Lincoln agents are daily disarming the State Guard, the omily fragile bulwark left to protect the State from their incursions, and in a week this will have been accomplished. Our friends here will then be powerless; they will be manacled as com- pletely as Maryland, and the millions of money, the great resources of this State, and thousands of her citizens will be brought to bear at once against you. If it is the policy of the Government to allow this condition of affairs I have nothing to say against their determinatiomi, but I fear it would produce most disastrous consequences. I urged that permission should be granted to me to raise a camp here, which would have to-day embraced 2,500 good armed men, and a week hence at least 5,000. There is no military head in Nashville to order any- thing to be done. The Governor and Brigadier-General Foster are only State officers, and do not consider themselves authorized to act or to See Vol. IV, p. 398. tSee Vol. IV, p. 403. See Vol. IV, p. 410 Page 147 CHAP. LXJV.J CORRESPONI)ENCE, ETtXCONFEDERATE. 147 command Confederate troops. I in close you some extracts from yester- days Journal, to show you what is transpiring and to let you see that the authorities of Kentucky are virtually waging war against your Gov- ernment. Cannon have been taken away from loyal Southerners and placed in the hands of Hessians mustered into the Lincoln service. These are State arms. Can your Government hesitate a moment longer in ordering the thousands of troops now ready upon the State line to advance and occupy this railroad and Louisville l They will be received everywhere with joy. Contending against the strong arm of a consti- tuted Government, our people have as yet evaded the yoke sought to be placed around their necks, but unless assistance comes now they must succumb and be overpowered. The State will be occupied by Lincolns army, and the moral effect will be to prostrate our cause in the State almost beyond redemption. The bastiles will be crowded with true friends of your Government; who have stood up manfully for you, and who cannot now escape. This week your troops can come up the road without opposition and take possession of everything, opening up to the Government countless stores of provisions, clothing, medicines, & c. Next week the Federals will have seized positions which it will require 30,000 men to drive them from. I but express the universal wish of thousands of our bravest men when I ask you to act proii~ptly in this matter for their relief Present to 50,000 men of this State, eager to fight in the cause, a rallying point around which they can assemble, and give them an opportunity to tight for and secure their own liberty. You will see that the Journal says that Brunswick will be shorfly attacked. I have here nearly 50,000 rounds of powder, lead enough for 30,000 balls, and plenty of buckshot and caps, both musket and smaller ones, and am willing to risk my life in securing the important position here if, after it is secured, you will back it up. I hope that you will perceive the urgency of the case, and that you may telegraph very soon to order, the troops in Tennessee to come to our aid. It is but two hours ride from here to Louisville, and if I had artillery I could on my own responsibility, with the aid of the surrounding counties, take Louisville and hold it until you come there a week hence. Yours, very truly, BLANTON DUNCAN. [Inelosure.] SEIZURE OF ARMS AND MUNITIONS OF WAR. Our officials were remarkably fortunate yesterday in the recovery of State arms, which had been secreted with a view to their misapplica- tion by members of the State Guaxd. Early in the day the three cannon, one a 12-pounder and the others 6-pounders, were taken from their hiding-place and delivered over to our loyal friend Captain Watkins, of the Semple Guards, which company has been mustered into the U. S. service. Subsequently seizures of muskets and munitions of war were made by the authorities at the store of John Snyder and the building formerly occupied by L. L. Warren & Co., on Main street, between Third and Fourth. Arms were also found at the establish- ment of Sachs & Bro., on Main street below Fourth, at Crutcher & McCreadys, on Main street near the Louisville Hotel, in an outbuilding on the alley between Brook and Preston and Market and Jefferson streets, and perhaps in other localities. Thus no less than 250 stand of arms and accouterments, a large number of army tents, pickaxes, spades, & c., were secured and removed from the custody of person Page 148 148 Sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. ~CHAP. LXIV. who are seeking to involve our State in a bloody and relentless war. Other and perhaps more important seizures will be made to day. The officers who are intrusted with these delicate duties merit and will receive the gratitude of all law-abiding and peace-loving citizens. [4.] BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, Knoxville, September 14, 1861. Colonel STATHAM, Fifteenth Miississippi Regiment, en ronte (Jumberlond Gap: Sin: The four regiments of Colonels Rains, Newman, Cummings, and Battle being ordered to Cumberland Ford, it is thought advisable that you halt one of your battalions at Cumberland Gap, and the other at an intermediate point between tIme gap and the ford, unless they should be needed, in which event you may advance at their call for support. Should an engineer officer direct any additional work to be done at the gap, or at or near the Log Mountains, you will detail such available force as you can command to accomplish it. I hope to come up soon, but I cannot tell when. Avail yourself of express messengers to be sent daily from the advanced camp to commnnicate with me. Very respectfully, F. K. ZOLLICOFFER, [4.4 Brigadier- General. NASHVILLE, September 15, 1861. GOVERNOR OF Mississippi, Jackson, ]lliiss.: General A. S. Johnston sent you a telegram yesterday [requesting] you to send two regiments and 1,000 extra arms. They are needed at Camp Boone, neai Clarksville, Teun., without a moments delay. Can you send tlmem~ Please reply to me at this place. S. B. BUCKNER, [4.] Brigadier- General. JACKsoN, Miss., September 15, 1861. General A. S. JOHNSTON, Nashville: Two regiments will be ready to leave Corinth on Wednesday morn- ing and two more at Grand Junction on Thursday. Send mustering officer and provide transportation. Regiments are armed and equipped, camp equipage and all complete. If desired Gener al Reuben Davis will conduct these regiments to the seat of war. I will be able to fur- nish two other regiments in ten days. They are now in camp drilling. [4.] JNO. J. PETTUS. SPECIAL ORDERS, ADJT. AND INSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 154. Richmond, September 16, 1861. * * * * * * * III. The following companies will be organized into a regiment, under the name and style of the Eighteenth Alabama Regiment Provisional Army, E. C. Bullock, colonel, commanding: Cahaba Valley Rangers, Captaimi Oliver; Covington Hunters, Captain Brady; Bullock Guards, Captain Moxley; A. B. Moore Invincibles, Captain Hamuer: Confe Page 149 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERA.TE. 149 erate Blues, Captain Calhoun; Yancey Guards, Captain ilaughey; Tom Watts Rifles, Captain Armstrong; Confederate Stars, Captain Inge; Curry Guards, Captain Hunley; Coosa Farmers, Captain Smith. LY. The following Companies will be organized into a regiment, nuder the name and style of the Nineteenth Alabama Regiment, Provisional Army, Joseph Wheeler, colonel, commanding: Curry Guards, Captain Hollingsworth; Blount Continentals, Captain McKenzie; Cherokee Rangers, Captain Savage; Cherokee Guards, Captain ~~irkpatrick; Cherokee Mountaineers, Captain Millsaps; Cherokees, Captain Cun- ningham; Blount Guards, Captain Skinner; Jefferson Warriors, Cap- tain ilanby; Dickens Ronghs and Readys, Captain Kimbrough; Davis Guards, Captain Ithea. * * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, [7.] Assistant Adjutant- General. HEADQUARTERS FIRST PRovISIoNAL BRIGADE, Nashville, September 16, 1861. Col. JOHN C. BROWN, (amp Trousdale, Tenn.: SIR: I transmit an order from General Johnston * by yourself, and by his authority I am directed to control the movement which he directs. The utmost secrecy is requisite in your preparations. It is desirable that you be in readiness to move to-morrow evening, but no actual announcement of the movement, unless you can effectually con- ceal it under guise of moving the camp, should be made until the arrival of your transportation. You should have at least fifty rounds of ammunition and subsistence for a week. If not adequately provided send your staff officer by return of engine to provide what is necessary. Your men should have a days cooked rations in their haversacks. You will probably be advised of the actual movement an hour or two in advance of departure. IRespeetfully, your obedient servant, S. B. BUCKNER, [~1 Brigadier- General, C. S. Army. NASHVILLE, TENN., September 16, 1861. Col. V. K. STEVENSON, Quartermaster, Nashville, Tenn.: SIR: In obedience to the order of General A. S. Johnston, I have the honor to request you to make the following dispositions for to-morrow relative to the movement fmomn Trousdale. 1 wish to have a pioneer engine at Camp Trousdale at 4 p. m. to-morrow. With this engine I wish enough railroad iron, spikes, and hammers to replace feet of railroad track. I wish to have at Camp Trousdale at Op. m. to-morrow railroad transportation sufficient for 2,500 men and six pieces of artil- lery. With this transportation train I wish the following articles, viz, about 300 spades and pickaxes, about 100 axes and large hatchets. I will also desire to ship on it a quantity of ammunition. Please notify inc of time of departure of traimis. S. B. BUCKNER, [4.] Brigadier- General, C. S. Army. See Special Orders, No. 1, Headqnarters Department No. 2, Vol. IV, p. 407 Page 150 150 SW. VA., KY, TENN., MISS., ALA, W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. COLUMBUS, Ky., September 17, 1861. ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERAL: I perceive there has been passed by Congress a law for local defense by which a sort of home guard may be employed for emergencies. I find I could get several regiments of that sort of force in Memphis, which I could move out from the town oii the frontier or beyond, as I might desire, armed and equipped at their own expense. These regiments are prepared to take such service, and they would be eminently efficient and inexpensive also. I had thought of such an arrangement some time since, and drew up the accompanying rnemuoraiidumn as its basis, which I proposed to the Memphis companies. They have agreed to its pro- visions, and I now submit it to the Department. Should they be allowed to be mustered, I think they would do good service. If they are not, I fear the town militia law will prove so feeble and defective as to deprive us of the use of a large force. Hoping to hear promptly from the Department in relation to this matter, I remain, respectfully, your obedient servant, LEONIDAS POLK, Major- General, Commanding. [Inclosure.] MEMORANDUM. With the consent of the War Department Genera] Polk thinks the only way in which the services of military organizations made up of married men of business that cannot leave home can be made available for the command referred to is for them to be organized into regimemits and mustered into the Confederate service to serve for the war ,or for a less time, as the Department may agree, it being understood that the said regiments shall be in all respects subject to the control and at the command of the commanding general of the Second Department. It is to be also understood that said regiments are iiot to be called out and required to leave Memphis as other regiments of the Confederate Army, but to be called out when emergencies arise, of which the comu- manding general shall be the judge. But when called out they shall go wherever in the judgment of the commanding general their pres- ence is necessary, the chief object of the organization, nevertheless, being understood to be for the defense of Memphis. It is understood that the regiments in questiomi shall uniform and equip themselves at their own expense and as far as practicable arm themselves. Also, when on duty, in Memnphis or elsewhere, they shall be subsisted by the Confederate Government, and when removed oum duty away from Mem- phis they shall be furnished transportation. [4.] [BOWLING GREEN, September 18, 1861.] General A. S. JOHNSTON, Humboldt: I arrived at Bowling Greemi at 10 this muorning-. Colonel Hawes arrived half an hour afterward. S. B. BUCKNEll. [4. Page 151 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 151 BOWLING GREEN, September 18, 1861. Governor HARRIS, Nashville: I occupied this place at 10 oclock this morning. I hear nothing of Colonel Brown. Has he movedl Reply at once. S. B. BUCKNEIt. [4.] [BOWLING GREEN, September 18, 1861.] Governor HARRIS: Colonel Brown has arrived. S. B. BUCKNER. [4.] BOWLING GREEN, Ky., Septtmber 18, 1861. Capt. H. B. LYON, (Jlarlcsville, Tenn.: Come on with your battery to Bowling Greeii. S. B. BUCKNETt. [4.] NASHVILLE, September 18, 1861. [Hon. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War:] DEAR SIR: Your dispatch did iiot reach me, but I had gone ahead on my own individual responsibility to concert action between the Southern-rights men of all the counties upon the Nashville railroad. Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. runners were going to all of the true men nrging them to come with whatever arms they could procure to Elizabetlitown to-day. and in addition the commanding officer of the militia called out his forces, but we took good care not to notify any but true men. Ilardin is Lincolns birthplace, so the blow will come al)propriately. I left there yesterday to brimig General Buckners family to this place, and will return in the morning. The telegraph will apprise you of the advance before this reaches you, but you need have no fears of the feeling in Kentucky, now that the forward movement has commenced. At my request the principal farmers of ilardin County assembled together on Monday, and agreed to contribute enough subsistence for ami army of 5,000 men for a month. They said the Con- federate Government might take their whole crop if they wanted it. I gave the selected quartermaster money to defray the necessary expenses of a camp, and was satisfied from the enthusiasm displayed that the yeomanry of the State will respond zealously to the movement now made. The Confederate forces have possessed Bowling Green, and doubtless are now at Mnnfordville. We have nearly all the rolling- stock of the road, and no movement could be made from the city of Louisville of any magnitude against us unless some accident happens to prevent our moving rapidly on. I confidently expect to see my own house before Sunday. Unfortunately, my furniture is scattered along the road, a great portion of it being in the trains seized hy our people. I shall see the thing through now, even if I go it alone on my ow Page 152 152 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. hook, but 1 should prefer to have an official position. If I can get a commission, with orders to report to General Buckner, I can make myself serviceable, and should like to be chief of ordnance, which I under- stand all about. If a position is given to me I would be extremely obliged if you would telegraph me the order to report to General Buck- ner, and send it to me here, care of Colonel Stevenson. We shall have some hard fighting, I expect, in the State, as we have three strong States right opposite; but 1 have no fears of the result. Whatever turns up, now my family is safe here, is a mattei of little consequence. I should gladly see my possessions in Louisville blazing, if necessary to aid in roasting Prentice, Guthrie, and Harney. Yours, truly, [4.] BLANTON DUNCAN. SPECIAL ORDERS, ADJT. AND TNSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 157. Richmond, September 19, 1861. * * * * * * * Ill. The following regiments will hereafter constitute a brigade, the command of which is assigned to the command of Brig. Gen. L. P. Walker, Provisional Army, who will proceed with his brigade, as soon as it may be practicable, to report for duty to General A. S. Johnston, commanding at Memphis, Teun.: Fourteenth Regiment Alabama Vol- nnteers, Col. T. J. Judge; Seventeenth Regiment Alabama Volunteers, Col. T. H. Watts; Eighteenth Regiment Alabama Volunteers, Col. E. C. Bullock; Nineteenth Regiment Alabama Volunteers, Colonel Wheeler. * * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, [4.] Assistant Adjutant- General. BOWLING GREEN, September 19, 1861. General A. S. JOHNSTON: Are my orders imperative to destroy the Green River bridge imme- diately, and to draw in my advanced forces at once l I have made arrangements to do so. Unless the military necessity is great the destruction of so fine a work would injure us very much politically. Hawes has rallied about 300 Southern men from Barren and 100 from Ilardin Counties. Hawes reports Rousseau with 1,700 men on Mul- draughs Hill, probably at the mouth of Salt River.* S. B. BUCKNER, [4.] Brigadier- General. Memorandum of instructions to Colonel flanson. HEADQUARTERS CENTRAL DIVISION OF KENTUCKY, Bowling Green, September 19, 1861. Colonel Hanson will advance with the remaining companies of his regiment to support Colonel Hawes. lie will distribute guards at any important U. ~ges and positions, including a guard at Cave City. He For reply, see Mackall to Buckner, Vol. IV, p. 416 Page 153 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 153 must move carefully, as there may be obstructions on the track. A part of his force on each train must be ready for action, as it is possible that straggling marauders may fire upon him. He will receive the instruc- tions I have given Colonel Hawes, and (lirect that officer to report to me as soon as he can dispense with his serVices. He will telegraph me from all stations and state disposition of his guards. He will make arrangements to obtain accurate information from advance. S. B. BUCKNER, r4.] Brigadier- General, C. S. Army. BOWLING GREEN, September 20, 1861. General A. S. JOHNSTON: Please direct Colonel Wickliffe and troops at Mayfield to be mustered into service. iRonsseau had not got this side of Floyds Fort yester- day. He was repairing the bridge. He has about 8,000 men, accord- ing to reliable information, it is currently reported in Louisville that the troops from Garrard County will join Rousseau. The fleet of boats and barges passed Clover Point on their way down three days since. I have some hopes of success in reference to the lower dam in Green River. In a day or two some of the home guards at Green River have voluntarily given np their arms. News relative to public feeling rather cheering. General Anderson has arrested ex-Governor Morehead and other prominent Kentuckians and sent them to Indiana Penitentiary. S. B. BUCKNER, [4.] Brigadier- General. HEADQIJARTERS CENTRAL l)IvisLoN OF KENTUCKY, Bowling Green, September 21, 1861. Colonel HELiXI: In consequence of conflicting reports, I will re-enforce you with 400 or 500 men under Maj. George B. Cosby. They will approach from Rus- sellville. You will form a junction with them at a point eight or ten miles south of Rochester (Camp Prentice), at a point where the old Greenville and the Bowling Green road comes into the road from Mor- gantown to Rochester. A guide will be sent across the country to join you on the march tonight or to-morrow morning from Russellville. It is important that you run no risk. Your movement should be a sure one. You must effect your junction with Cosby before you attack, unless your information is positive that your force is far superior in numbers. You must be at the point of junction mentioned to-morrow night. S. B. BUCKNER, [4.] Brigadier- General. CUlVIBERLAND FORK, Ky., September 23, 1861. (Via Knoxville. Received 25th.) 3. P. BENJAMIN, Secretary qf War, fi~ichmond: Your dispatch just received. One Mississippi regiment in Middle Tennessee, the other here, which I hope will be permitted to remain. To give it up would l)robably force me to withdraw from Kentucky. F. K. ZOLLICOFFER, [4.] Brigadier- General Page 154 154 S~. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. By anthorityin us vested by MaJ. Gen. Leonidas Polk, commanding Military Department No. 2, the following orders are issued by the com- mittee, consisting of NY. B. Greenlaw, It. C. Brinkley, Sam. Tate, M. J. Wicks, and E. NY. Munford: HEADQUARTERS MILITARY COMMITTEE, Maj. Gen. L. POLK: Memphis, AS~eptember 23, 1861. Permit us to suggest the propriety of your either issuing an order yourself or authorizing us to do so, to the effect that shipments of cot- ton to this port be suspended until further instructions. Cotton is now coming in, and you will readily perceive the danger of a heavy coii- centration of that important article at a point so near thc eiiemy as Memphh~. Very respectfully, M. J. WICKS, [4.] Chairman pro tempore. RUSSELLYILLE, AS~eptember 25 1861. Col. NY. NY. MACKALL: Rousseaus force, under Sherman, is at Elizabethtown. Hawes joined by about 500 friends at Green River. Nolin and Bacon Creeks bridges have been destroyed; also the trestle-work at Green River. One-third of my remaining force is at Bowling Green. I am colicentrating a heavy force twenty-five miles north of here to strike at a large force of home guards near Rochester, which is at a lock and (lain on Green River. After that I return to Bowling Green. Colonel Brown is in command there. If von wish to communicate with me send telegram to Russellville. and it will be forwarded to me by courier.* S. B. BUCKNER, [4.] Brigadier- General. OR DERS, HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DEPARTMENT, No. 2. Columbus, Ky., Aveptemnber 26, 1861. The following officers are announced as the l)ersoIlal and depart- mental staff of General Albert S. Johnston, commnamidiig, viz: Personal staffAide-de camp, R. P. Hunt, lieutenant, C. S. Army; volunteer aides, Col. Robert NV. Johnson, Col. Thomas C. Reynolds, Col. Sam. Tate, Maj. Gen. T. Howard, Maj. D. M. Hayden, Maj. Ed. NY. Munford. Department of ordersLient. Col. NY. NY. Mackall, assistant adju- tant- general; Capt. II. P. Brewster, assistant adjutant-general; First Licut. ~. Wickliffe, acting assistant adjutant-general. Quartermasters departmentMaj. Albert J. Smith, principal quar- termaster. Commissary departmentCapt. Thomas K. Jackson, principal com- missary. Engineer corpsFirst Lient. Joseph Dixon. By command of General A. S. Johnston: W. NY. MACKALL, [4.] Assistant Adjutant- General. This in reply to Mackall, Vol. IV, p. 426 Page 155 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEI)ERATE. 155 CLARKSYILLE, September 26, 1861. General POLK, Columbus: Capt. Ben. F. Egan, just in from Sinithiand, reports that steamer Empress landed there on Tuesday evening 1,000 infantry and one com- pany of cavalry, and took possession of the town. The boat caine up the Ohio River, but where she brought the troops from cannot be ascer- tained. The gnu-boat Conestoga went up the Cumnberland Monday and landed at W. B. Machins place. The officers got ashore and. care- fully examined the bluffs. On her return, having no Cumberland pilot aboard, she ran on a ledge of rocks just below Eddyville and seriously damaged herself. Two gun-boats went up the Ohio Monday night. The Paducab and Evansville packet, Curlen, met them Tuesday morn- ing above Caseyville. Captain Egan is informed by Mr. D. A. Given, of Paducah, whom he saw on Tuesday evening, that there are only 8,500 troops in that place, rations only being issued for that number. Captain Cox, the commissary, who informed Mr. Given, says the troops are in constant fear and alarm. The bridge of boats across the Ohio was finished on Monday last. Mr. Given is confident that the bridge was built to secure their retreat. Mr. Given will send verbal informa- tion of much importance by sending to him a confidential messenger. W. J. WALDRON. [4.] RUSSELLYILLE, September 27, 1861. Col. W. W. MACKALL: I telegraphed yon yesterday of my movements. I will have it rel)eated. I hope to accomplish the first part of my purpose to-day or to-morrow morning. The second is fixed in the direction comparing with your suggestion. Fromn prudential motives I do not go into details. I have ordered all my disposable reserves to Bowling Greeti to supply the place of this force. Four of my regiments are scarcely half full; flue others not sfroug. I need re-enforcements at Trousdale. Our friends rally slowly. ~. B. BUCKNER, Brigadier- General, C. S. Army. SPECIAL ORDERs.1 AT CAMP, En Route, September 28, 1861. Colonel Baldwins and Colonel Palmers regiments with the entire train will march as early as possible this morning toward Greenville. Colonel Baldwin will send information abomit time supply trains which left Rmisselhville yesterday morning. S. B. BUCKNER, [4j Brigadier- General, C. S. Army. AT CAMP, En Route, Septemher 28, 1861. Order of march: Colonel Baldwins brigade will encamp at Jarrells Creek, si~ miles south of Greenville, on llopkimmsville and Greenville road, leaving Greenville to the right on the march. TIme above com- prises Baldwins and Palmers regiments. General Alcorns brigad Page 156 156 SW. VA., KY., TENN~, MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. the same. Helms battalion six miles south of Greenville, between Greenville and Pond River. By order of General S. B. Buckner, brigadier-general, C. S. Army: G. 0. WATTS, [4.] Aide-dc- Oam~ SPECIAL ORDERS, ~ ADJT. AND INSP. GENERALS OFFICEq No. 167. Richmond, September 30, 1861. * * * * * * * XV. Maj. Jeremy F. Gilmer, Corps of Engineers, will report for duty to General A. S. Johnston, at Nashville, Tenn. By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, [4.] Assistant Adjutant- General. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF ALABAMA, Mobile, September 30, 1861. S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General:] GENERAL: It was not my purpose to have the volunteer organiza- tions of this city constitnte any portion of the three regiments to be added to the force here. Whatever of aid these organizations could give would be needed in addition to the force called for if any serious demonstration was made by the enemy in this locality. Two regiments for loca.l service are tendered me, hut I deemed it unwise and inexpedi- ent to accept of either. In my opinion lax discipline and little efficient service would inevitably result should these regiments compose the force. Their condition precedent that they shall remain at home is sufficient to sho-w the motive and expectation which prompts and con- trols their action. The motive is to manifest a willingness to serve the country by organizing for the protection of their own homes and prop- erty, and engaging to fight if these are attacked. The expectation is to play soldier at home, not to neglect their private interests, nor endure fatigne, exposure, or discipline. Such material is most costly and least serviceable to Governiucut, and I desire to be responsible for none of it. There is no difficulty as to men; five times the number required can be obtained in less than that number of weeks. My object in writing you is to be informed once for all as to my authority in the matter. Governor Moore has agreed to furnish arms for three regiments. That is all I desire of him, amid now I desire that three upeoumitry regi- ments (unarmed) enlisted for the war shall be ordered here, or else that I be authorized to accept and muster in the full complement of men authorized for this serviceinfantry, artillery, and cavalry. If full power is given me in this matter I shall mmot agaimi trouble the Depart- ment. Am I to be responsible for or to have any control over Confed- erate trool)s ordered into camnp in other sections of the Statel The senseless l)anic which is said to have prevailed iii this community seems to have subsided. I am, general, very respectfully, yommr obedient servant~ J. M. WITHERS, Brigadier- General, & c Page 157 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 157 After having written the preceding communication, Col. James Craw- ford called and showed to me a letter from Governor Moore, which con- tamed a promise that a regiment raised by him, and composed of one cavalry company, one company field artillery, and eight companies of infantry and riflemen, should be the first accepted for this service and be given precedence over all others. I informed Colonel Crawford that not only was snch regimental organization unusual, but that it was unsuited for this service, and that, in the event of its being mustered in, I shonld detach the cavalry and artillery from his command. This he objected to, and requested that I would refer the subject to headquarters at Richmond, which I now do, with the remark that I have no use for such an organization. Dictation as to what shall constitute the com- mand (from unauthorized sources) is one of the evils to be expected from these local-service organizations. [6.] J. M. XV. JACKSON, september 30, 1861. The PRESIDENT: DEAR Sin: I do not think the requisition lbr the reserve of 3,000 men for the war will be filled, even without the requisition of General Johnston for 10,000, recently made. There are, from acconnts I get here, fifteen companies in camp. The twelve months State troops (6,000) have absorbed the young men. The 10,000, if in addition (these State troops are, it is snpposed, transferred already) to troops already raised, if you consider Adams, Bonhains, and Russells regiments, together with the fifteen companies in camp and the 6,000 State troops, cannot be obtained. You would be struck with the aspect which our State now presents. Except in the princiI)al towns time country appears to be deserted. There are not more men left than the demands of society aimd the police of a slave holding country actuklly require. The State has put in the field and in camp about 25,000 men. This exceeds her proportion. lf invaded she could scnd to a battle 10,000 or 15,000 more, but she can- not put more in service for t~velve months. It has occurred to inc that General Johnston was not aware of the strain on our population already created. One thousand or two thousand may be collected in time State under this requisition. I should be surprised if the number exceeds 2,000. The disposition of the people is to give everything and do everything necessary, but the preservation of the crops, order, and safety reqnire that a certain number of active men should remain within the State. I write to prepare you for delay in raising men, and even for disappointmnent as to numnbers, and expect no reply. With great regard and respect, your obedient servant, [4.] W. P. HARRIS. SPECIAL ORDERS, ADJT. AND INSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 168. Richmond, October 1, 1861. * * * * * * IV. Brig. Gen. A. H. Gladden, Provisional Army, will report for duty to Major-General Bragg at Pensacola, Fla. * * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, Assistant Adjutant- General Page 158 158 SW.VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. GENERAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS, No. 2. Ilopkinsville, Ky., October 1, 1861. General Buckner directs that you will march with your command to-morrow at sunrise, or as soon thereafter as possible, on the road leading to Tates Station, twenty-four miles distant. You will so regu- late the march as to reach the station by day after to-morrow evening. The tennessee cavalry will march to Russellyille by the liusscllville road. Your command will consist of your own regiment, Colonel Palmers regiment, Colonel Helms battalion, and the six pieces of artillery. By order of General Buckner: U. B. CROSBY, JIlajor and Assistant Adjutant- General. Colonel BALDWIN. [4.] GENERAL ORDERS, BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, No. 3. 5 En Route, October 1, 1861. The Eighteenth Tennessee ltegimeimt, Fourteenth Mississippi Itegi- ment, Colonel Helms battalion, and Captain Porters artillery will be ready to march to-morrow morning at 7 oclock, with rations cooked for dinner. By order of W. B. Baldwin, colonel commanding brigade: B. J. ~~TASSER, [4.] Acting Assistant Adjutant. General. REPORT. To the GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE: The undersigned, members of the Military and Financial Board, beg leave respectfully to report that they were organized under the act of May last, soon after its passage, and have been engaged ever since in the execution of the arduous and difficult trusts imposed upon them. Prior to their organization and in anticipation of the passage of the act of May, a preliminary and informal board was instituted at the instance of the Governor of the State, by whose agency large supplies of clothing, provisions, and material of war were purchased and shipped to Nashville. The sequel has shown the wisdom and forecast of this early movement, as it enabled the State to secure a large amount of articles of indispensable necessity that in a short time afterward could not be purchased at any price; and much of what was still attaiu able and important to the service soon rose to enormous rates. Con- temporaneously with this original board, there were established by private citizens at Nashville, Knoxville, Memphis, and other places boards of supply that rendered efficient and valuable services as aux- iliaries in the great work of preparation. And to the liberality and patriotism of the citizens of those and other localities the State is largely indebted for whatever has been achieved in organizing and fitting out the Provisional Army. The undersigned, of course, found many difficulties to encounter. A large army, smlch as Tennessee had never furnished before, had to be raised, organized, equipped, clothed, fed, and paid. The task was a new one, and the facilities in many respects not abundant. Arms and ammunition, the most iinportantitem Page 159 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 159 in such an emergency, were the most difficult of attainment. The block- ade then and still existing all around the Southern States rendered the importation of these articles almost impossible. At the time of the organization of this board there was not a cap factory in the whole South, nor a powder null in operation, nor a manufactory of small-arms to any extent, and but one cannon foundry. In this state of things there was no appeal except to our own resources. Under the auspices of Samuel D. Morgan, esq., a manufactory of caps was established in this city, which from small beginnings has been made to produce within the last four months over 12,000,000 caps, .and is now producing daily enough to sustain the waste of a great battle. Much credit is due Mr. Morgan for his aid in this and other matters connected with the public service. The capacity of this establishment is believed to be adequate to meet the demands of the whole Confederate States. Cannon enough have been cast, both bronze and iron, to supply the whole Provisional Army of Tennessee for the present. This has been done principally in Nashville and Memphis, and to some extent in Chat- tanooga, and can now be carried on to any limit. The manufacture of small-arms, such as guns and sabers, has also been pressed with the utmost diligence. A large amount of capital and skill has been brought into requisition for this purpose in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and other places, and while the production up to this time has not been great, tlu~ foundation has been laid by which, in a few months, there will have been more guns manufactured in the State than were to be found in the arsenal at the commencement of the present struggle. The skill employed iu this important branch is rapidly improving, and the most confident hopes are indulged that the success will be com- plete. On the subject of powder, the undersigned have encountered the greatest difficulty. By timely action a large amount of sulphur was obtained by purchase at different points, but the supply of saltpe- ter was limited, and not to be had in the markets of the South. To supply this indispensable article, resort was had to the caves of Ten- nessee, Georgia, Alabama, and Arkansas, and, at considerable expense and delay, contracts were made in all these localities which, with varied success, promise in the aggregate to afford a sufficient amount for tho current demand. In many instances liberal advances had to be made to induce the investment of capital and labor in that uncertain and precarious business, and it has beemi impossible to procure the manu- facture of the article at all, except at high prices. The undersigned also, by advances, procured one powder mill that had been out of use for some timue to be refitted with increased capacity, and it has been in operation for several weeks past. They procured also in like man- ner to be erected a new mill, which is now about completed, With large capacity. These two muills, if they meet with no accident, it is believed will be able to furnish powder enough to meet the current demands of the whole Government during the war. The expenses of all these operations have been considerable amid greatly enhanced by the increase in the price of materials and in certain branches of mechanical labor. Arms of every description soon rose to enormous rates, but the under- signed, while seeking to practice economy as far as possible, did not hesitate to pay high prices where it was necessary to arm and sustain the soldier and prepare for the impending struggle. Much of the expense incum-red resulted fromn the failure of Confederate authorities proml)tly to muster our troops and to prepare for their support. The comusequenee was that the State has beemi compelled, until a recent date, to pay, clothe, and sustain her armny, notwithstanding it was virtuall Page 160 160 Sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. turned over by the vote of the 8th of June and the proclamation of the Governor. This, however, can only prove a temporary inconvenience, as the Government has admitted its readiness to pay our troops from and after the 31st of July, the date of the Governors proclamation, and such as have not been paid by the State since that period will be paid by the Confederate paymaster, and of course the advances by the State on this account refunded. The undersigned present herewith a general and detailed statement of their expenditures, marked A and B, respectively, by which it will be seen that they amounted, on the 1st instant, to $4,637,198.77. And after paying some outstanding liabilities, the whole expenditure will fall little if any short of $5,000,000. Upon this, however, they expect soon to be able to credit the amount of supplies on hand, and which were turned over and transferred to the Confederate Government, to be paid for in cash. The inventory of these supplies, so far as it could be completed, has been forwarded to Richmond for payment, and one of the members of this board is now absent on that business. The amount of these supplies so far as ascertained is about $700,000, sub- ject to be iiicreased by future returtis. To meet these expenditures bonds of the State were issued in the first instance, to the amount of $2,000,000, and it was hoped that by an early settlement with the Con- federate Government any farther issue could be avoided, and thus save- considerable expense; but by the act of the last Congress, the claims of all the States have to be audited before payment can be made; and this being impossible until a settlement could be had with all Phe various military departments of the State, it was determined by the board to issue bonds to the full amount of the expenditure. That has been done to the exteiit of $1,000,000 in addition, and will be continued until the remainder is covered, unless for any reasoii your honorable body shall see proper to suspen(l it. The Bank of Tennessee is largely in advance to the State over and above the bonds received, and in this and in the whole negotiation with the State, has manifested through its officers a most liberal and patriotic policy. The same cami with equal truth be said of the Union and Planters Banks and their officers. They did not hesitate to advance what was desired by the board, and all seemed willing to share in the difficulties of the public emergency. The undersigned take pleasure in commending the conduct of these three institutions, and they are entitled for their liberality to the grat- itude of the community. The undersigned, besides transferring all the public supplies on hand, have also turned over to the Confederate Government all their contracts for the manufacture of arms and ammunition, so that the State is no longer incumubered with that large source of expense. There remains on hand as a future charge the armory established at Nashville. It has been emnployed exclusively in repairing old guns, and has added considerably to the stock of arms. It can be made highly useful in this branch of business, as there are thousands of guns in the State now wholly useless that can be rendered available for the field. The machinery already acquired by this establishment and such as may be added will give it the capacity of manufacturing new arms of the first quality to a considerable extent. All that it can muake will be received and paid for by the Confederate Government at liberal rates. It is not probable, from the investments made, that any loss can ensue. On the contrary, if it werp desirable, its operations can be rendered profitable; but whether it shall be continued or what disposition shall be made of it is respectfully submitted to your judgment and discretion. Th Page 161 CHAP. LXIv.~ CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 161 undersigned have had presented to them from time to time various claims for settlement, which they could not, under their sense of legal duty, allow, but which nevertheless were not without merit.. These they will submit hereafter in a special communication. They ask an examination of their expenditures, and for this purpose their books and vouchers are subject to inspection. They are of opinion that as the Provisional Army has been turned over to the Confederate Gov- ernment, together with all the supplies on hand, there is no longer any necessity for a military and financial l)oard, and that it can and ought to be dispensed with for the future. They respectfully suggest that a commissioner be appointed without delay to settle with all the various officers who have beeu charged with the expenditure of the money. It is important that this be done speedily, in order to expedite a settle- ment with the Confederate Government and to reimburse the State. The books of the undersigned show to whom money was paid from time to time, and all that remains is for the persons to whom the sums were issued to furnish vouchers for the expenditure. In conclusion, the undersigned cannot forbear to acknowledge the prompt and generous response made to their appeal by the people of the State in furnishing supplies of clothing and other necessaries to the soldiers in the field. Aside from the consideration of the timely and material aid to those who are fighting our battles and struggling with disease, it has inspired new conrage and confidence in the hearts of all true friends of Southern independence. Who can doubt the suc- cess of a cause that finds such ardent and universal sm~pport among both sexes and in all conditions of life~ When a free people can rise np to the sublime height of not only professing but practicing the motto of All for the public and nothing for self, they can never be conquered. A continuation of this same spirit is respectfully and solemnly invoked during this momentous struggle. Let all our resources, physical, moral, and intellectual, be brought to bear by one mighty effort against the enemies of our rights and of American free- dom, and it will require no gift of prophecy to predict a speedy and glorious termination to this unhappy conflict. The undersigned submit their action to your inspection and judgment, with the consciousness of having endeavored to do their duty to the utmost of their power, but with a regret that they could not be more useful in preparing and sus- taining the State in her great hour of trial. With high respect, your obedient servants, NEILL S. BROWN. W. G. HARDING. JAMES E. BAILEY. A. Condensed 8taternent of the expenditures of the Military and Financial Board. Quartermasters department $1, 645, 413.46 Transportation 6,293. 19 Western defenses 6,000.00 _____ $1, 657, 706.65 Paymasters department 1, 104,800.00 Commissary department 627, 064.87 Medical department 24, 761.21 Ordnance department 857, 308.40 Advances on ordnance stores 117,832.23 Board of supplies 15, 150.57 990,291.20 Major-General Pillow 200, 000.00 11 R RVOL LII~ PT I Page 162 162 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIY. A.Condensed statement of exp ditures of the Military and Financial BoardContd. Contingencies: Federal Government Tullahoma Vola teers Salaries of board Expenses of board Army Regulations, & c . Special services Exchange $1, 826. 55 357.86 2,350. 00 639.26 2,195.25 9,131.89 15, 320.75 123.25 600. 00 $31,851.59 723.25 Total expenditures 4, 637, 198. 77 Liabilities of Military and Financial Board: Due Bank of Tennessee 2, 176, 241. 68 Perkins & Co 100.00 2, 176, 341. 68 39, 642.91 Actual and immediate liability 2, 136, 698. 77 F. G. ROGUE, Secretary. NASHVILLE, October 1, 1861. B. Recruiting service Adjutant-general Amonnt to credit in Union Bank Statement of receipts and expenditures of the Military and Financial Board of the State of Tenne8see. Quartermasters department Purchase made by board, General Cheatham, acting. - - Order General Pillow, T. S. Peters Order General Pillow, J. G. Finnie Order General Pillow, J. H. MeMahan Order General Pillow, J. W. Eldridge $1, 534, 928. 50 64, 484. 66 38, 000. 00 3,000.00 4,500.00 500.00 $1,645,413.46 Paymaster-general. 1, 024, 800. 00 Order Genera] Pillow, C. Dc Loach 80, 000. 00 Commissary-general 438, 500.00 Purchases made by board, J. L. Brown, acting 188, 564. 87 Medical department Transportation Board of supplies, cap factory, laboratory, and arniory 1?ecrniting service 123.25 Adjntant-general 600.00 Ordnance department, Memphis 200, 368. 37 Ordnance department, Nashville 254, 000. 00 Stores, Nashville 283, 387. 81 Sulphur, Nashville 3, 415. 33 Saltpeter, Nashville ~, 197.28 Tin, Nashville 3, 596. 71 Copper, Nashville 12, 119.08 Percussion-caps, Nashville 18, 383.38 Friction primers, Nashville 1, 789.00 Lead, Nashville 15, 364.09 Powder, Nashville 24,579.58 Shot, Nashville 800.00 Zinc, Nashville 621.70 Gun axles, Nashville 3, 089.92 Steel, Nashville 526.53 Armory, Nashville 5,211.66 Real estate, Nashville 21,929.96 1, 104, 500.00 627, 064. 87 24, 761. 21 6,293.19 15, 150.57 723.25 857, 308.4 Page 163 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 163 B.Statement of receipts and expenditures of the Military and Financial Board of the State of TennesseeContinued. Federal Government capture at Cairo: Powder and lead Tullahoma Volunteers, order of Governor Salaries of board Expenses of board . Army Regulations, & c., printing Special services, orders of general in command, police, bringing in arms, & c Western defen~es, half of steamer Ingomar Exchange paid Bank of Tennessee $1,826.55 357.56 2,350.00 639. 26 2,195.25 9,131.89 6,000.00 15, 320.78 $2, 214. 41 14, 316.40 21, 320. 78 Major-General Pillow, order of Governor 200, 000.00 4, 519, 366. 54 ADVANCES. Hallum & Williams, on saltpeter George Gantt, mission to President Davis G. W. Morse, for machinery for armory Trestle-work at Na~shville connecting the railroads: Memphis, Clarksville, and Louisville Railroad Northwestern Edgefleld and Kentucky W. E. Jones, saltpeter T. M. Brennan, cannon W. S. Whiteman, powder W. Cheatham & Co A. L. Maxwell, muskets J. S. Smith, saltpeter Ellis & Moore, cannon shot and shell T. Webster & Co., cannon shot and shell A. Anderson, shot and shell Myers, Hunt & Co., gnu carriages Robertson County, rifles W. Ledbetter, rifles G. D. L. Mar, saltpeter L. T. Cunningham, swords Quinby & . Robinson, cannon MciRoberts & Co., lead Colonel MeCown J. H. ONeal, rifles Porter & . Welles, gun carriages W. S. Monday, rifles Lient. M. H. Wright, loaii C. S. Army 1, 000.00 150.00 500. 00 10 000 00 370. 97 4,235.22 100.00 6,667.04 15, 000. 00 15 000 00 30,000. 00 2,000.00 4,000.00 4, 000. 00 2,500.00 1,200. 00 1,006.64 7,500. 00 800.00 2,500.00 402.71 500. 00 200. 00 57.00 3,002.15 1, 500. 00 3,640.54 Union Bank, balance to credit RECEIPTS. State bonds 2,500, 000. 00 Bank of Tennessee, overdrawn 2, 176, 241. 68 Donations 500.00 Perkins & Co 100.00 117, 832. 23 39, 642. 91 4, 676, 841. 68 4, 676, 841. 68 NASHVILLE, October 1, 1861. [4.] F. G. IROCHE, & cretary Page 164 164 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. PRESTONBURG, FLOYD COUNTY, Ky., October 2, 1861. His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS, President of the Confederate States of America: SIR: Our Legislature has betrayed us. We have marched to this point on account of its strategic importance with 1,000 men. Hun- dreds are gathering around our standard daily. We can have 5,000 men here in two weeks. We would most respectfully petition Your Excellency to send us immediately some experienced military iiiaii to command us, and place us upon a footing to make ourselves available in furthering the cause of civil fr~~edoi~~,in which we have enlisted, and to which we pledge our lives and our sacred honor. Other information respecting our wants and our statistics will be furnished by the com- inissioners who are the bearers of this petition. BKN. DESIJA, Captain of Light Infantry Company (armed). E. F. CLAY, Captain of Cavalry (ompany (armed). JAMES M. THOMAS. Captain Mounted Thfles (forty minies, with equipment). T. H. WORSHAM, Infantry (unarmed). H. C. SWANGO, Infantry (unarm ed). A. J. MAY, Captain Morgan Guards, Infantry (unarmed). JESSE MEEK, Infantry (unarmed). G. W. CONNOIR, Captain, Infantry (unarmed). G. M. EWING, Captain, Infantry (unarmed). JOHN W. SPARKS, Captain, Infantry (unarmed). [4.] JOHN SHAWUAN. MOBILE, October 3, 1861. flis Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS, President of the Confederate States of America: I address you in behalf of the Mobile and Great Northern Railroad Company. As you are aware of the location of this road, and the rapid communication it would afford if completed below this place and Pen- sacola and all parts of the Confederacy east of this, it is unnecessary for me to say anything about its being a military necessity. I inclose a note from the president of the company, Col. W. D. Dunn, whose statements are to be entirely relied on, from which it appears that only $15,000 in cash is required to complete this road by the 10th to the 15th of November, and without which he will not be able to go on with the work, having entirely exhausted all the means of the company. In addition to this $15,000 he asks the extension of $10,000 due the Gov- eminent for duties on iron. In view of the important military events that are likely to take place on our Gulf coast this winter, would it not be well for the Government to aid the company to complete their road? The amount to be advanced would soon be repaid by transportation Page 165 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 165 I therefore ask you to take the matter into your most favorable consideration. With much respect, your obedient servant, C. J. McIRAE. P. 5.Since writing the foregoing Colonel Duun has informed me that he is going to Richmond, and he will more fully explain to you the condition of the road. I commend him and his road to your most favorable attention. C. J. M. [Inclosure.] OFFICE MOBiLE AND GREAT NORTHERN RAILROAD Co., Mobile, October 3, 1861. Hon. C. .1. MCRAE DEAR SIR: By the greatest exertion this company has been able to progress very far toward the completion of its road. The grading and bridging are all done, more than half the track laid, and the balance of rails on hand mostly in this city. On the unfinished part of the road the cross-ties, with the exception of some three or four miles, are all laid ready for the iron. In this condition of the work the available means of the company are almost exhausted. We have been already largely aided by the banks here, and most, if not all, of our stockholders have paid up to the extent of their ability, and we must now look to other sources for the means to enable us to go on. With the aid of $15,000 and an extension for a few months on the duties due on the rails, about $10,000, I feel confident we can have the roa~1 in operation by from 10th to 15th of November. I assure you that this work has been nrged and pressed forward under all the embarrassments of the times with no reference to the individual interest of the stockholders, but from a conviction of its great and pressing importance to our city in a military point of view at this juncture. May I not, under the cir- cumstances, ask the exercise of your influence with the Government to obtain an advance of $15,000 and an extension of a few months npon the duties, to be paid by transportation for the Government or other earnings of the road at the earliest practicable day, the Government to be secured for both sums by good personal security l With great respect, your obedient servant, WM. 1). DUNN, [6.1 President. NEW ORLEANS, October 3, 1861. Maj. Gen. LEONIDAS POLK, C. S. Army, Commanding Department No. 2: GENERAL: Lient. Col. T. McGinnis, of the Third Battalion, Polish Brigade, will report to you in order to submit to your consideration a plan we now have in view for the purpose of carrying out the war in a portion of Kentucky. It is not only feasible, but certain, if properly managed. I will accompany him on this campaign in case we should obtain authority from the Confederate States to raise the troops. If this plan meets with approval I would respectfully [ask] your indorse~ ment of it, and your recommendation to the President of Colonel Me- Ginnis and myself to carry it ont. Colonel McGinnis is a Kentuckian by birth arid by education. His position as surveying engineer of the State has made him acquainted not only with a large circle of citizen Page 166 166 Sw. VA., KY., TENN, MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIX~. living in the various counties, but also with the minutest path. I must add besides that lie has seen much service since the Mexican war, and that he is a true hearted, iron nerved, old fashioned Kentuckian. I recommend him in one word as an able and efficient officer. I am now, in order to be ready in time, raising one light battery of artillery, which will be ready by the 15th instant. My presence here is not needed, and were it needed it would not be required by the Governor. Unable on this account to be of any service to my native State, I will serve it in another -State. The battles of Louisiana are now being fought in Kentucky. With deep respect, general, I remain, yours obediently, J. TRUDEAU, 1~.] Brigadier- General. COLUMBUS, Ky., October 4, 1861. Col. W. W. MACKALL, Adjutant- General, Western Department: COLONEL: I have the honor to transmit herewith a map* of the country examined by me in accordance with instructions received from you dated headquarters Western Department, September 30, 1861.t You will perceive by examining the map that I followed the usual traveled route from thisplace to Clinton, crossing the Obion and Cane Creeks by tolerably good bridges. Obion Creek at the crossing affords plenty of water for any number of men and animals, but Cane is nearly dry, water being found in but few places, and that in small quantities. From Clinton to Baltimore our road passed over a slightly undulating country with very little water, except what is found in wells and cis- terns. Baltimore is situated about two miles above the junction of Obion and Brush Creeks upon an eminence that commands all the sur- rounding country for miles, and from the base of which flow several small springs that would fulcnish water sufficient for 2,500 men. Balti- more is five miles from the nearest depot, on the Paducah and Union City Railroad. The wood for fuel is about two miles from the town. The country along the railroad from Ringgold to Mayfleld is scarce of water, there being but two small springs on the route. From Mayfleld to Columbus, via Milburn, the road passes along the summit of a dry and barren ridge, destitute of water, the inhabitants depending entirely on wells, cisterns, and artificial ponds. Near the point where the road from Clinton to Dublin crosses the Obion there are several springs (called Sullivans Springs) flowing from the base of a bluff on the north side of the creek that would furnish a sufficient amount of water for 4,000 troops. The bluff above Sullivans Springs commands the coun- try on the opposite side of the creek, but it is in turn commanded by a ridge that rises gradually from it in a northern direction; but I believe that a work might be constructed that would be defiled from the bridge in the rear. The water in Obion Creek at this place and from four to five miles above is from two to six feet deep and is said never to go dry, although at present it is not running. There is plenty of wood for fuel and fine places for bivouacs along the creek near Sullivans Springs. The two above-mentioned places are the only ones in the country where there is a sufficient amount of good water for a consid- able number ef troops to camp. The roads in the country are gemier- ally practicable for artillery and heavy loaded wagons. The one Not found. t See Vol. Iv, p. 432 Page 167 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 167 marked on the map iiew-cut road from Columbus to Baltjmore is superior to the others at this season of the year, but in the winter it would l)e nearly impracticable, as it follows near the banks of Obion Creek for several miles. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOSEPH DIXON, [4.] First Lieutenant, A rtillery, staff Engineer. NASHVILLE, October 5, 1861. General A. S. JOHNSTON: Having been solicited by others, amid from my known standing with Brigadier-General Pillow, I address you on the subject of temporarily blockading the Cumberland River. The river at three points I shall present you. They are as follows: Big Horse Ford, ingraham Shoals, and Line Island. At the Big Horse Ford you are distant thirty-seven miles from the mnoath of the Cumberland by water, and eight miles to Eddyville, at which ])oint there is a turnpike road leading to Prince- ton, Ky., and would be the means of embracing as much of the Cum- berland River, its citizens and roads as practicable or pra(lent. At this poin-t it would reqnire three barges to be sunk in order to impede navigation. The barges should contain rock, which is to be procured immediately at the point of operation. The rock requisite is easy of access, requires but little blasting, could be mostly raised by bars, picks, and sledges. It would require 200 toiis to each boat; in all, (300 tons. This would give a dam of 360 feet by boats, with 24 additional feet of opening; in all, 384 feet, as the boats should be sunken length- wise, with an aperture of 12 feet apart, so as to admit the passage of water between, and yet not be sufficient to admit the passage of a steamer or heavy flat. The bottom of the river at this point, as well as the shores, are rock bound. The dam contemuplated would be 22 feet at base, 3~ feet high, with a 15-inch cone, with little or no chamice for wash or settle. Were batteries erected s~)eedily here, it would be safe to block here, but should an unforeseen rise take place in the Ohio, the back-water would come up to this point and destroy in a measure the utility of the dam. The Ingraham Shoal l)oint would be thirteen miles higher up the river, consequently less subjected to back-water, but would leave the Princeton road exposed. At this point it would require two boats to be sunken under similar specifications as before stated, yet with one boat less and 200 tons of rock. The nature of the river at this point [is such] that there is au extensive natural bar, occupying fully one-third of the entire river, making two chutes or channels, which at low water affords 20 inches in the one and 17 in the other. The deepest chute is the main channel, and is not over 40 feet in width, with a fair bank, capable of resisting a five-mile current of water. The bottom is fine sand, shifting in its nature at the tail end of the bar, which renders navigation tedious as well as uncertain as to depth; the current two miles and a half per hour. The other chute is a hard gravel one, with much firmer banks, and with no impedimemit at the tail end of the bar; therefore a boat with 200 tons of rock at the mouth of each chute, sunk, would at ordinary water completely blockade the river. The material rock is three-quarters of a mile up the [river] from this point, in abundance Page 168 168 Sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. (CHAP. LXIV. Six miles above are human & Bros. Iron Works, where facilities of chains, boats, picks, bars, sledges, & c., could be obtained on loan; therefore, with its close proximity to the Teiinessee, I consider it pref- erable. The third point, Line Island, is still above, it being seventy- five miles from the month of the Cumberland, two miles below Lintoii Landing, and four miles below line post, the line of the States of Ken- tucky and Tennessee. To effectually dam this point, it would require at least two, if not three boats, to be sunken under specifications as above. There is also rock in abundance three-qnarters of a mile np the river, but would require to be blasted. At low water we have two feet and a half; the left-hand downstream bank is the channel, and only one; its width iii low water, 65 feet; in ordinary water, 140 feet. The soil of the bank is stiff blue clay, strongly mixed with iron cemented gravel, subject to but little wash at the highest stage of water; its bot- tom is rock aiid loose shifting sand, pai ticularly at the tail end of the rock dam. Midway the river and next the right-hand shore, down- stream, is an extensive rock dam, running up and down the river, which confines the water in the chute. Immediately inside and back of the dam it is well backed by graded bar, and next the shore small islands. The dam runs across the head of these islands and is thirty-five feet at base, with ten feet cnrve and eight feet in depth; has proven itself capable of more resistance than has ever been offered by the extraor- dinary floods of the river. Should an unexpected rise occur, we have base sufficient to raise the dam three feet more in height. In placing boats apart, you avoid much settling and wash, besides less obstruc- tions to the passage of water, with economy iii length in the gain of the apertures. This outfit should be at least six barges, retaining the unsunken ones to tow rock to the sunken ones, as their burthen would have to be regulated by the amount of water at the time of sinking, therefore could be but partially ladened, one good chain cable, two good anchors, ten good bow aiid stern lines for boats, two cables for anchors, two steamers for towing and conveying purposes, picks, bars, sledges, and hand-barrows. We have the barges at Nashville, suita- ble and requisite, that are confiscated, also the materials requisite. The steamers can be procured here, one at $35 per day, the other at $45, charter, expenses to be borne by the Government. In thirty hours from departure from Nashville can reach the fieki of operations, when one steamer can be sent back and discharged, retaining one for towing purposes. These suggestions are momentary, yet not so difficult, but anything else requisite could be procured at the field of operations. The work could be completed in one week and the entire expedition end in ten days. Respectfully, your obedient servant, II. H. HARRISON, [4.] Captain. WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Richmond, October 6, 1861. iVIaj. Gen. B. BRAGG, Pensacola: DEAR SIR: I have your favor of the 25th ultimo,* and have examined into time causes suggested by you as tending to create dissatisfaction amongst your officers, and whilst there is much truth in the assertion * Seo Vol. VI, p. 744 Page 169 169 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. that some of their juniors have received advanced rank in the Pro- visional Army, I find that the complaint with iciation to the ease of Lieutenant Wheeler is wholly without foundation, and will state the facts, that you may be able to dissipate the impression of any injustice done by this Department to his fellow-officers: First. On the 14th of August a communication was addressed to this Department by the colonel and a large number of the company officers of the Seventh Alabama Regiment, urgently requesting the appointment of Lieutenant Wheeler to the position of field officer of same regiment. This letter was written from Camp Walker, headquarters of Seventh Regiment of Alabama Volunteers. Second. On the same day, 14th of August, 1861, a letter was addressed by Lieutenant Wheeler to the Adjutant-General, soliciting a commission with increased rank in one of the regiments of the Provisional Army, or a commission with authority to raise a battalion or regiment for the war. This letter was indorsed with a very earnest recommendation that the appointment should be made, signed by Colonel Wood, of Seventh Alabama Regiment, commanding Second Brigade, and was forwarded by yourself with a full and cordial indorsement of Lieutenant Wheelers application,~~ and it was in consequence of these indorsements and recommendations that my predecessor yielded to the solicitation of the officers of the Nineteenth Alabama Regiment, and appointed Lieutenant Wheeler their colonel. Jinclose ~ou copies* of the papers, as a duty to my predecessor, whose action on the subject is somewhat impugned by your letter of 25th ultimo. And now, my dear sir, having disposed of this matter, let me say that the noble and self-sacrificing spirit displayed by yourself and the gallant spirits that are now chafing in hateful inaction on the sands of Pensacola Harbor are fully appreciated, and elicit the most heart- felt approval and admiration, not only of the President, but of every member of the Administration. We are as anxious as you can possibly be to relieve you from a position to which the fortune of war has con- demned you, and look forward as impatiently as you can to some oppor- tnnity of testifying our sense of what is due to you all. But all our deliberation results in this, that to remove you (which we know is your earnest desire) to some field of more active operation would have the most disastrous effect on the morale of the army under your command, whilst for your officers we can do nothing for the moment, under the legislation as it now exists; but we shall none the less hold them in. remembrance for marks of approval, as soon as it shall be possible to transfer them to other fields of duty; and I will further say that when- ever you feel that you can spare any of your officers, and desire him rewarded, I will find means to place him in some desirable post and with increased rank in the Provisional Army. In the meantime the President, in conversing with me on the subject of your own position, has suggested that it would be a partial relief to the tedium of your constant vigil to extend your command and make it embrace the coast of Alabama, thus giving you an additional chance for actual fight in the event of a descent by the enemy, and you will accordingly find that a general order has been issued making of your command a (lepartment and ~)lacing the coast defenses of Alabama under your control. I think you will thus have an increased chance for actual combat.t I am, yours, very truly, J. P. BENJAMIN, [6.1 ____________ _ Acting Secretary of War. I For reply of Bragg, October 30, 1861, sec Vol. VI, p. 758. * Not found Page 170 170 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. SPECIAL ORDERS,? ADJT. AND JNSP. GENERALS OFFiCE, No. 173. Richmond, October 7, 1861. * * * * * * * V. Captain Harpers company of Mississippi artillery, with its bat- tery, now at Memphis, Tenii., will immediately proceed to Columbus, Ky., and report for duty to Major General Polk, Provisional Army. * * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHE IIS, [4.] Assistant Adjutant- General. SPECIAL ORDERS, ADJT. AND JNSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 174. Richmond, October 8, 1861. * * * * * * * VJ. Capt. J. G. Veisers light battery company and Capt. J. J. Brad- fords company, Georgia Volunteers, are transferred to Lieutenan t-Col- onel Stovalls battalion of Georgia Volunteers, and will join it at once. * * * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, [6.1 Assistant Adjutant- General. ORDNANCE OFFICE, WAR DEPARTMEN L, C. S. A., Richmond, October 9, 1861. General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General, Co~Jederate & ates: GENERAL: In relation to the communication of General A. S. John- ston, dated October 4, 1861 * (herewith returned), relative to the product of the powder mills near Nashville, I have to say that these mills are at present supplied in a great measure with materials furnished by the Confederate States through this Bureau. While, therefore, it is entirely proper that General Johnstons most pressing wants should be first pro- vided for, I deem it but the province of this Bureau to give such direc- tions to th~ ordnance officer at Nashville as will secure some degree of equality in the distribution of the powder after a due supply to Gen- em-al Johnstons command. The order to divert powder from the mills to New Orleans and Mobile was conditional and dependent on the sup- ply. Directions will be given to Lieutenant Wright not to send away powder nutil some adequate supply is obtained for the wants of the Upper Mississippi. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, ~ GORGAS, [4.] Lieutenant- Colonel and Chief of Ordnance. JACKSEOROUGH, October 9, 1861. Col. W. W. MACKALL: Colonel Wood, of Knoxville, writes that last night Hiwassee bridge and two other bridges of railroad near Chattanooga were burned. Attempt on Strawberry Plains bridge failed. No cars from the east * See John8toli to Cooper, Vol. IV, p. 436 Page 171 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 171 feared that the Union bridge is destroyed. I sen~1 one regiment to Knoxville. Carrolls brigade, ordered to report to me, not heard from. F. K. ZOLLICOFFER, ~4.] ______ Brigadier- General. SPECIAL ORDERS, ~ ADJT. AND Thsi~. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 176. Richmond, October 10, 1861. * * * * * * * XI. The regiment of Mississippi Volunteers commanded by Col. B. G. Huinphreys will hereafter be designated and reported as the Twenty- first Itegiinent Mississippi Volunteers. * * * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, [6.] Assistant Adjutant- General. HDQRS. ARMY OF MISSISSIPPI, ORDNANCE OFFICE, Jackson, October 10, 1861. General A. SIDNEY JOHNSTON, C. S. Army: GENER4L: Last spring I was requested to take charge of the con struc- tion of a battery above the city of Vicksburg for the defense of the river. A small plateau, about twenty feet above high water, with a very deep ravine around it, was selected. The numerous hills in the rear completely command it, and render it a very strong position and pro- tect it against land forces. It has a very strong profile, and there are in the work, I believe, thirteen gun carriages, three new 42-pounder barbettes and platforms of superior workmanship, one new wrought-iron barbette carriage, aud eight 24-pounder barbettes, part new, and one casemate, 24-pounder. All these I shall mount in some two weeks. There are also three (42-pounder) guns for which I have ordered no car- riages, and some three 24.ponnders on siege and garrison carriages. I have had the work constructed chiefly by volunteer companies which have been encamped there. They are now all gone, and I write you to say that II. E. Barnes, civil engineer, who superintended the work for me, is now anxious to raise a company of heavy artillery for the war, to garrison it. He is a very worthy gentleman (and brother of Dr. J. K. Barnes, U. S. Army) and long a resident of the South. Can you authorize him to raise a comnpany thus a? The trouble is this: The citi- zens of Vicksburg have contributed so much to the seventeen companies they have sent to the tield that Mr. Barnes does not feel authorized to call on them for sppport of the company during its organization. If lie could be furnished on your order with provisions and clothing he can i-aise a fine company. I commend it to your consideration. l)uring the organization they will remain in and protect tIme work. My excuse for the length of this letter must be that of informing you the strength of the works. If yon wish any goo& gun carriages made, I have all the patteins here where these were constructed. They are mnade of ash and strictly in accordance with ordnance regulations. I have prepared the ammunition, except filling the cartridges for the guns. A few hundred mome junk wads will be required for the 24-pounders and for the 42-pounders. Yours, very respectfully, S. G. FRENCH, Lieutenant- Colonel and Chief of Ordnance, Mississippi Army Page 172 172 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. [Indorsexnent.] If the within named can raise at once a considerable portion of the company, they may be fed aiid will be clothed as soon as practicable. or payment be made of the commutations. [6.] ADJUTANT-GENERALS OFFICE, Nashville, Tenn.~ October 10, 1861. General A. SIDNEY JOHNSTON, Commanding Department of the West: I am instructed by His Excellency Governor Harris to inclose you his proclamation of the 20th ultimo,* calling 30,000 additional troops into the field from Tennessee, in compliance with your requisition upoii him. Jn additioii to the camps mentioned in said proclamation, it has 1)een deemed proper by him to establish encampments at the points heretofore known as Camp Cheatham, in Robertson County, and Camp Tronsdale, in Sumner County, Teun. The forces thus called into serv- ice will in the main present themselves by companies, it is believed, and on condition that when formed into battalions and regiments they be permitted (as His Excellency has assured them they shall be in said J)roclalnation) to elect their own field officers. On no other conditions conid volunteers be obtained. Upon the subject of the transportation of the troops to the points of rendezvous some information is desired. If mustered into service at the various places where they report them- selves ready for service considerable tronble would result, and a large force of mustering and inspecting officers would be required. 1t on the other hand, they are not mustered into service until they reach their resl)ective encampments, means of transportation upon railroads an(I boats, where these modes of conveyance aie most convenient, should be supplied or the expenses thereof met by the Confederate Government. Very respectfully, JAMES W. McHENRY, [4.] Adjutant- General. GENERAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS TENNESSEE BRIGADE, No. 24. October 10, 1861. During the temporary absence of Colonel Brown on detached service, Col. J. B. Palmer, of the Eighteenth Regiment, is left in command of the brigade. By order of John C. Brown, colonel commanding brigade: P. B. PLUMMER, [4.] Aide de- Camp. WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Richmond, October 12, 1861. Hon. W. P. HARRIS, Jackson, Miss.: SIR: Your letter of the 30th ultimo has been referred by the Presi- dent to the Secretary of War, who directs me to say that General Not found Page 173 CHAP. Lxiv.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 173 Johnstons call upon the Governor of Mississippi was not warranted by the just rule of proportionate supply, and such overdrafts will be avoided in future. Respectfully, A. T. BLEDSOE, [4.] Chief of Bureau of War. BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, Camp Buckner, October 14, 1861. Col. W. B. WooD, Knoxtille, Teun.: SIR: I have just beeii informed that General W. iR. Caswell has resigned. He had politely given inc great assistance in the attention due to military matters in East Tennessee. You will remain at Knox- ville, therefore, in command of that post until relieved, sending forward 350 men of your regiment, as ordered yesterday, under command of a field officer. You will order Lieutenant-Colonel McClellan to march to Cumberland Ford with three companies of his battalion, leaving the other three temporarily at Knoxville. It will be necessary for proper cavalry escorts to be sent from Knoxville to Jamestown with the snb- sistence trains ordered to that point. The brigade commissary and quartermaster will place at Jamestown by the 25th instant ten days rations fbr 4,000 men. It would be better could it all be sent in one train about that time, and authority is hereby given to press, if neces- sary, the requisite teams. Inclosed I send you the orders to Majors Fain and Jackson, and a letter to Major Bridgman, now perhaps at Camp McGinnis, which you will read and then forward to him by a cavalry officer and four privates, who will keep an account of their expenses, to be paid by the quartermasters department on their return. Have my letters forwarded by express, and keep me advised of what is transpiring every day. As I move forward I will make arrange- ments for cavalry expressmen to concert daily with the Gap and Knox- ville. Say to General Caswell I would very much like to have him with me in this excursion. Very respectfully, F. K. ZOLLICOFFER, [4.] Brigadier- General. MOBILE, ALA., October 15, 1861. [General S. COOPER, A djuiant and ln8pector General:] GENERAL: The extraordinary channel through which I am made cognizant of the fact that in the opinion of the Secretary of War and Adjutant-General II was amenable to the censure contained in a com- munication addressed to me by Colonel Northrop, Commissary-General of Subsisteiice, induces me to inclose to you the copy of said commu- nication, marked A, and also the copies of memoranda for defenses of Mobile, marked B, and of telegraphic dispatch signed by you, marked C. The point of censure, as stated in Colonel Northrops communica- tion, is that there was no authority for calling into service for local defense troops at or near this place, and that at your request he for- warded to me the order referred to. The order which Colonel Northrop inclosed was simply a copy of the law providing for local defense and special servjce. An examination of the memoranda will sho~v that th Page 174 174 sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIY. Secretary of War approved of three infantry regiments being added to the forces for this command, and that he directed that two of these regiments should be armed and designated by Governor Moore, of Alabama. This was done by Gbvernor Moore, who armed and desig- nated first, a for-the-war regiment, under command of Lieutenant- Colonel Garrott, and, second, a twelve-months home defense regiment, under command of Colonel Crawford. For these two regiments, then, the Secretary of War and Governor Moore, of Alabama, are certainly responsible. Your telegraphic dispatch signed by you will show by what authority Colonel Bucks regiment for local defense was mus- tered into service. From this review I can find no just predicate for the censure; that no orders from the Secretary of War or Adjutant- General could be found for the calling in service for local defense troops at or near this place. By Special Orders, No.151, the State of Alabama and that portion of Mississippi east of the Pascagoula River was Constituted a separate command, to the charge of which I was assigned. This order bears date September 12, 1861. By Special Orders, INo. 173, the command of Maj. Gen. Braxton Bragg, Provis- ional Army, is extended to embrace the coast and State of Alabama. The fifteen miles of coast with the portion of Mississippi east of the Pascagoula River is not embraced in Special Orders, No. 173, which does not, therefore fully supersede Special Orders, No. 151. I do not certainly know what my position now is, or what time authorities pur- posed making it, but presume that Special Orders, No. 173, was intended to supersede No. 151, and attach mne to the command of Gen- eral Bragg. The circumstances under which I was relieved fi-om duty at Norfolk and assigned to this command were certainly not calculated to warn me of the humiliation and mortification to be inflicted by this sudden manifestation of change in estimate of my fitness for the posi- tion to which I was then assigned. Those circumstances, in eluding the disparaging telegrams from this city (since proved to have been unfounded by the number of volunteers who have pressed to be received into service), preclude me, as they do thins community, from considering my position now otherwise than as one of humiliation. After that which I have now stated I trust you will sanction my request to have this communication laid before the President and approve my applica- tion to be relieved from duty here and ordered wherever it is the pleasure of the Government to assign me. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. M. WITHERS, Brigadier- General, Provisional Army. [Inomosures.] A. SUBSISTENCE DEPARTMENT. Richmond October 7 General J. M. WITHERS, , 1861. Mobile, Ala.: SIR: Maj. John J. Walker has written me a letter of the 3d instant relating to obtaining supplies for troops, which, it seenms, are expected to be provided from Mobile. Not having had any instructions respect- ing such forces, I have seen the Secretary of War and the Adjutant- General. I can find no order for the calling in service for local defense troops at or near that place. General Cooper requests me to send you a copy of the order referred to. Accordingly I do it. I have not kept up the supplies at Mobile, because at Montgomery by rail and river Page 175 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 175 respectively, both Pensacola and Mobile could be provided. The flour which was there and represented as kiln-dried, proof against souring, has been reported damaged. Furthermore, the manufacturing of money by the Treasury has never kept up with the demand. Great delays have been experienced, and finally Mr. Memminger called, through the Secretary of War, the chiefs of the Quartermasters, Commissary, and Ordnance Departments, stated the difficulty, and that money must not be called for too fast, but in small amounts, & c. It has been impossi- ble to obtain what was necessary, and as the new crops were coming in another motive was presented for postponing purchases of flour. As for salt meats and coffee, as long as they could be found I bought. I telegraphed Major Walker this morning on the subject. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, L. B. NORTHROP, Commissary- General of Subsistence. B. ENGINEER BUREAU, WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., - , ., September 11 1861 Richmond Va General JONES M. WITHERS: DEAR SIR: I append a list of munitions, & c., which I conceive to be wanted at- Fort Morgan and its dependenciesin some things changes may have been made and wants supplied without my knowledge: 100 barrels powder, 3,000 friction-primers, 100 light-balls, 1,004) Bormaun fuses, 1,000 common fuses (those on hand are thought to be bad), 1,000 yards quick-match (slow-match believed to be on hand), I pattern shell heads. The shells to be used with Bormaun fuses require a screw to be cut in them. This fuse burns ten seconds only, and is therefore not suited to bug ranges. The flank casemate guns for Fort Gaines, twenty 24-pounder howitzers, are being made at Lynclmbnrg. Of this number, however, Mr. Tanner has shipped four which have miscarried. Please see him about it. Very truly, yours, D. LEADBETTER. Memoranda as to the defenses of Mobile, Ala.: Three regiments infantry (Governor Moore, of Alabama, will arm and designate two of these regiments), six comI)anies cavalry, six batteries field artillery. Acting ordnance officer, Secoiid Lieut. W. F. Withers, infa~ntry; ord- nance-sergeant, David T. Blakely, private, Third Alabama Volunteers; commissary, John J. W alker, Alabama; ~nC(iical director, . [Indorsement.] RIcHMOND, September 12 1861. The within-mentioned material will be furnished General Withers, and the memoranda as to the defenses for Mobile, Ala., are approved. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War. C. General J. M. WITHERS, RICHMoND, October 6, 1861. Mobile: You are authorized to receive Colonel Bucks regiment for home defense. S. COOPER, Adjutant- General. [0. Page 176 176 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Nashville, Tenn., October 16, 1861. Captain Lindsay, of C. S. Army, will proceed to Knoxville and transfer to Confederate States any troops stationed there or in that vicinity belonging to the Provisional Arniy of Tennessee. He will then proceed to the headqnarters of General Zollicoffer and transfer all troops under his command which belong to Provisional Army of Tennessee to the Confederate States. The transfer is made by simply verifying the rolls and receiving a copy of the same when verified. The rolls are verified by calling them, and the names of all men who answer or are accounted for will remain upon the rolls. Such as do not answer and are not accounted for will be stricken from them. The transfer includes everything peitaining to the regimental organization, except surgeons, quartermaster, and con imissary. You will report to me what you have done in the preimses. ISHAM G. HARRIS. If you find an officer of the Confederate Army at Knoxville or at General Zollicoffers headquarters, sent therc to perform the duties herein assigned to you, you will turn the matter over to him and report yourself here for duty, giving said officer a copy of this order. I. 0. II. [4.] BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, Camp Buckner, October 16, 1861. The senior captain in command of Lieutenant-Colonel Branners bat- talion will march toward Barboursville and London this day at 1 oclock with 220 men in advance of the corps of the brigade, which will coin- mence the march at 12 a. m. The residue of this battalioii, including the sick, will remaiii at this post. Colonel Rains will march with 650 men of his regiment, inclusive of officers; Colonel Statham, with 600 of his regiment; Colonel iNcwman, with 600 of his regiment; Colonel Battle, with 650 of his regiment; Colonel Powel, with 650 of his regiment; Lieutenant-Colonel McNairy, with 280 of his battalion; Lieutenant- Colonel Brazelton, with 280 of his battalion. The residue of these regiments and battalions, inclusive of time sick, will remain at this post. Captain Rutledge, with his artillery company, will march, leaving the sick at this post. The several corps will move in the order in which they are named, except the artillery company, which will immediately follow the infantry. Before marching the field officers and captains will carefully inspect the condition of the arms, ammunition, and equip- ments of their respective commands. A proportion of the sapping tools of each command, relative to the proportion of the command ordered to march, will be taken along. The baggage train and ambu- lances will follow the artillery; the baggage train of general head- qnarters preceding the regimental and battalion trains, each in the order of march of the troops to which they belong, and each under a gnard to be detailed by the officer of the day. Each regimental or bat talion train will be under charge of a quartermaster, and the whole will be conducted by the brigade quartermaster. An advance guard of infantry and cavalry will precede the column. An infantry rear guard will follow the baggage train, and a cavalry rear guard will follow the cavalry. Maj. A. L. Landis will assume the command of this post, and the commanding officer of each infantry regiment will assign to dut Page 177 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 177 two commissioned and four non-commissioned officers, and each cavalry battalion one commissioned and two non-commissioned officers, with the portions of the respective commands left at this post. The command- ing officer of each regiment of infantry and battalion of cavalry will leave his sick under the special care of some surgeon whom he may select. Doctor Pitts is hereby assigned to duty as hospital surgeon, charged with the duty of providing hospital accommodations and of determining hospital regulations. By order of Brigadier General Zollicoffer: POLLOK B. LEE, [4.] Assistant Adjutant- General. HEADQUARTERS CENTRAL DIvISIoN OF KENTUCKY, Bowling Green, October 17, 1861. COMMANDER OF CAVALRY FORCE ON BOWLING GREEN AND MUN- FORDYILLE ROAD: SIR: There is a Lincoln home-guard force of 200 or 300 men in Brownsville, on Green River. They contemplate, whenever they feel the strength, to make a raid on the railroad somewhere near Rocky fill Station. Until you receive orders from General ilardee, you will station your force with a view of guardiming against such a casualty. You will throw out scouts and pickets in the direction of Brownsville. Report your l)osition and the information I send you to General flardee. Respectfully, your obedient servant, S. B. BUCKNER, Brigadier-General, C. S. Army. HEADQUARTERS, Knoxville, October 17, 1861. Brig. Gen. F. K. ZOLLICOFFER: GENERAL: Dispatches arrived to-day from Major Bridgman and Captains Gass and Snow, and as the movements of their commands were not perhaps anticipated by you, I inclose their letters to you.* J had sent forward on yesterday your order to Major Bridgnm an, and Cap- tam Legg, who was charged with the duty, ordered the lieutenant who bore it to go through Post Oak Springs; cousequemitly Major Bridgman must have received the order to-day. I wrote to Captaiu Gass to-day, informing him that orders had beeinin sent to Major Bridginnan to proceed with his command to Jamestown by 25th instant, amid directing Captaiu Gass to unite his company with Major B.s command as soon as he arrived at Jamestown; in the meantime to do such scouting service as in his judgment the exigency of affairs might require. I have semint Captain Gass time ammunition required, and Major Jackson, upon my request, has sent him $350 to buy subsistence, forage, & e. Clothing and shoes have been obtained for both Captains Gass and Snows companies. Major Jackson is getting up a train for Jamestown, which lie expects to get oft to-morrow. Captain Leggs company of cavalry has returned here from Strawberry Plains, and Captain Gillespies from Jamestown, and I understand Captain Eldredge~s will be here to-morrow from London bridge. These companies, I suppose, return None of these communications found as inelosures, but see Gass to Caswell, Vol. IV, p. 447. 12 R IlVOL LII, PT I Page 178 178 Sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. (Csw~. LXIV~ under orders given before I took command of the post, of which I was not fully apprised. I am not certain that it is safe to leave the bridges unguarded, and 1 xviii send detachments to them of the new infantry recruits that may come in, unless you direct otherwise. Captain Brocks company of cavalry from Union County came in this evening, under the late call of the Governor. FRIDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 18, 1861. GENERAL: Yours of the 16th just received by the courier. The orders to Major Bridgman and Colonel Murray will be sent forward to-day. I will order two companies of Colonel McClellans commaiid to Jamestown. I see from your letter that you are apprised of the movements of Colonel Stanton and Major Bridgman. ~t is imot there- fore necessary for me to send you the letters of Major B. and Captains Gass and Snow. I am, very truly, your obedient servant, W. 13. WOOD, ri.] Colonel. ADJIJTANT.GENERAL8 OFFICE, Nashville, Tenn., October 17, 1861. General ALBERT S. JOHNSTON: In transmitting the letter of His Excellency Governor Harris to you, together with other communications, II beg leave to add that the regi- ments of Colonels Stanton and Murray were ordered to be organized expressly for the protection of the section of Overton, Fentress, and adjoining counties. While subject to duty anywhere, their removal leaves, as you are assured by mefi of the highest respectability, the country wholly exposed to the enemy. Respectfully, JAMES W. MUHENHY. [luclosure.] EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Nashville, Tenn., October 17, 1861. General JOHNSTON: DEAR SIR: I herewith transmit communications from highly respect- able citizens of Overton and Fentress Counties showing a state of apprehension well grounded to some extent, I fear, of marauding parties from the enemys camp in close proximity to these counties. Having transferred to Confederate States all the organized troops and army of the State, I must call upoim you to take such steps as will - protect our soil from invasion and defend the lives and property of our citizens. Respectfully, ISHAM (1. HARRiS. [Sub-inclosure No. 1.] Governor HARRIS, LIVINGSTON, October 1-1, 1861. Nashville, Tenn.: SIR: A late order of Generals Johnston and Buckner, of the Con- federate Army, removing the forces from this county and Fen tress, and leaving us unprotected, makes it necessary for us to address you agai Page 179 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 179 upon the subject of our safety. You are doubtless already informed that some of our troops a few weeks ago visited Albany, Ky., thirty miles distant from here, and carried off the guns of the Federals there; that shortly after a considerable Federal force from the Federal camp removed to Albany, which is but six miles from the State line, and held it for some (Lays, sending their cavalry frequently for miles into this State, and killing one man, Mr. Saufley, and carrying away on several occasions the property of our citizens. They also insulted women and children, and went to the houses of our strong Southern men, at night in search of them, and threatened to shoot the family if they did not tell where the husband and father was. The pickets are formed of the most reckless men, and generally the renegades from Tennessee, and led by the notorious Jim Ferguson, the murderer of Saufley and other Southern men, whose ambition seems to be to shoot Southern men in cold blood whenever he meets them, and is, as we are informed, daily seeking to shoot his own brother because he is in the army here. In addition, we know that particular animosity exists against this county and this town, because they have been particularly Southern from the start of the s6paration question; be cause they have been the rendezvous of soldiers, and the points from which the expedition against Albany went out, and also the asylum of the oppressed Ken- tuckians. It is known, too, that particular men, our best citizens, in this county and Fentress, are marked out on the black list of the renegades, whose lives and property now lie under the most fiendish threats. We know they are unprincipled; that they are not governed by the laws of war, but a revengeful desire of blood and plunder, stimulated by the unholy competition for ascendency in taking scalps and plunder as trophies. On yesterday, we learn, the~ cavalry of Captains Sanders and Bledsoe marched toward Bnrkesville, Ky., for the purpose of taking that place and recovering a considerable amount of goods belonging to Southern men, lately purchased in Louisville and brought there. Burkesville is but thirty-five miles from this town and fifteen from the Obey River, the wealthiest portion of our country, and where a large portion of our grain, and our hogs and beef cattle, fine horses and mules, wagons, & c., are. We could state many other facts to show our condition and the kind of enemy on our border, but would refer Your Excellency to Adjutant-General Mdllenry, Senator llildreth, Repre- sentative Donaldson, and Captain Rice, the bearer, for further particu- lars. Colonel Stantons regiment moved yesterday, and Colonel Murrays will to-day or to-morrow, for Bowling Green, and all the cav- alry here moves with them. Thus we are left at the mercy of our foes, a portion of whom are still about Albany, Ky., daily scouting along our border, and this, too, after these recent visits to Burkesyille and Albany, which have so stirred up our enemy as to cause him to seek the very first opportunity for retaliation. Notwithstanding we have sent out nearly 1,000 fighting men, embracing nearly every man capable of bearing arms who could be spared from home under any ordinary state of the warfare, we are thus driven to the necessity of raising more men to save our homes and property. We have held a calm council, and concluded to call on Your Excellencys known patriotism for aid and protection, and more especially for arms and ammunition, as all the arms worth anything, or nearly so, here have been taken into the army, and we are nearly defenseless. We therefore hope you can send us a regiment (infantry), and a company of cavalry well armed, forthwith. We think it probable General Caswell can spare. them. If you cannot send a regiment of infantry, perhaps you can a battalion of cavalry Page 180 180 Sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. which would just now be very efficient for scouting. In case neither can be done, we hope you will authorize us to form companies of minute- men, under the act of assembly, so that we may be able to keep some sort of force to prevent raids, and to watch the Camp McGinnis Gap, so that the Federals may not have an uninterrupted communication with their friends in East Tennessee, nor be able to march thither before the forces there could be notified of their coming. We can give assurance that the matter will be prudently managed here, under any arrangement you may deeide to make, as we feel that our safety is staked. Captain Bledsoes cavalry company was eipected to remain near Camp McGiniiis, but it is gone via Burkesville to Bowling Green, aH(l all the forces, infantry and cavalry, are leaving. Your serious consideration of our condition is most sincerely desired, and will be gratefully remembered by us and this part of the country in this our time of need. A. A. SWOPE. A. J. GOODRUR. D. H. CAPPS. [AND 18 OTHERS.] [Sub-inclosure No. 2.] LIVINGSTON, TENN., October 14, 1861. Hon. ISHAWI G. HARRIS, (Jo ternor, d~c.: IDEAR SIR: I am compelled to write to you, not through any fear, but out of a high seiise of duty to my country and fiunily. We are iii danger here of an invasion from the Lincolnite Kentuckians, because, by the order of General Johnston, all our troops here are now removed and we are left without troops, and constant invasion threatened. The troops in leaving here are going through the border counties of Ken- tucky creating a violent spirit of hatred against them and this country because troops were formed here into regiments. There are no troops between here and Cumberland Gap. Through Fentress is the best road to the East Tennessee and Georgia Railroad. There, are armed men, called home guards, in all the border counties, and also two com- panies of cavalry in Clinton County, Ky., who will pillage and steal anything, murder, rob, & c. Our arms tIme citizens had here were nearly all given up to the State in the formation of the first regiment. There are not 100 rifles in the county. Governor, send us a regiment of infantry if you can, and until theii give us such protection in way of cavalry as you can. Yours, truly, [4.] WM. E. B. JONES. BOWLING GREEN, October 17, 1861. His Excellency ISHAM G. IIARRIS, Gocernor of Tennessee: SIR: General Johnston desires me to acknowledge the receipt of letter of this date and its inclosures. The petitions of the citizens of Overton and adjoining counties are founded on a misapprehension of his orders. Colonel Stantons regiment alone has been ordered to this place. Colonel Murrays regiment and the cavalry have been directed to co-op- erate with Colonel Stanton in a particular movement, which will occupy him only a few days; after which both Colonel Murray and the cavalry will return to their original positions. The knowledge of this fact, th Page 181 Cu~i~. LXIV.) CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 181 general hopes, will reassure the citizens of that part of the State of his purpose to give them all needful protection. I am, very respectfully, Your Excellencys obedient servant, S. B. BUCKNEIt, Brigadier- General, 0. S. Army. P. S.C-eneral Johnston further directs me to say that Colonel Stanton will be instructed to co-operate with Colonel Murray in break- ilig up the various Lincoln rendezvous in Southern Kentucky, which now menace the citizens of Tennessee, and that he will not be expected to repair to this point until this duty ms accomplished. He expects the armed citizens of the locality to join iii this movement. After these encampments shall have been broken up Colonel Murray, with such re-enforcemeuts as may have been received from the new levies now assembling in the nearest localities, will be directed to locate his force at the best positions for protecting the frontier. iRespectfully, S. B. BUCKNER. [4.] HOPKINS TILLE, October 19, 1861. General BUCKNER, Bowling Green: Sent detachments as ordered to Fort Donelson. Have two reports from Eddyville seemingly equally reliable, one that the gun-boat went back, oiie that it went up. I think the former true. Cavalry of Hen- derson camp and 200 infantry have approached within eleven miles of Madisonville; think they are perhaps in Madisonville at this time. I am reliably informed strength as follows: Calhoun, 600; Owen sbor- ough, 400; Hartford, 500; Henderson, 1,700. My effective force is now reduced by sickness to 500. Have written fully. Will have unmis- takable statement from Eddyville to~night.* J. L. ALCORN, [4.] Brigadier. General. HEADQUARTERS, (Jumberland Gap, October 20, 1861. Hon. J. P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War. SIR: Our forces advancing yesterday in five miles of the enemy. We have killed one of their pickets and taken one prisoner. They have killed one of our men. Our forces will most likely have to fall back on account of transportation and subsistence being insufficient. A col- lision was expected to-day. It is said a strong force opposes Zollicoffer. Respectfully, W. M. CIIURCHWELL, Colonel Fourth Tennessee Regt., Provisional Army, (Jomdg. Post. [4.] HEADQUARTERS, Bowling Green, Octobcr 20, 1861. Col. S. S. STANTON, Commanding Expedition, & c.: COLONEL: Your dispatch is received and contains very satisfactory intelligence. Please compliment your troops omi their good conduct. * This in reply to Casseday, Vol. IV, p. 459 Page 182 182 SW. YA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. I doubt not, from the manner in which they have already borne them- selves, that their campaign will be a successful one, though attended with some hardships. The encampment at Greensburg has been already driven northward. Let me urge you to employ the utmost energy in pushing forward your expedition to its completion. Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, S. B. BUCKNEIR, [4.] Brigadier- General, C. S. Army. POST HEADQUARTERS, Knoxville, October 21, 1861. Brig. Gen. F. K. ZOLLICOFFER: GENERAL: About 400 of my regiment left here yesterday for the Ford and camped about five miles from here. Owing to the breaking of some of the wagons and the untrained condition of the stock they could not proceed to-day, but will move on to-morrow. I expect to send forward between 200 and 300 more in a week or ten (lays. The two companies of Colonel McClellans battalion having returned from the neighborhood of Jamestown, and being informed that Colonel Mur- ray had been ordered and left for Bowling Green, thereby leaving the country about Jamestown wholly unprotected, and, judging from the tenor of your letters that you designed keeping a strong force there, I have ordered Colonel McClellan to returii to Jamestown with three companies of his command, and, if possible, to communicate with you as soon as he arrives there. He will leave to-day and be there about the 25th instant. By the 25th there will be at Jamestown three corn- panics Colonel McClellans battalion, two companies Major Bridgmans, and Captain Snows and Captain Gass companies. As Colonel McClel- Ians can guard the traimi of commissary stores I will send Captain Whites company to Cumberland Ford. Captain McLin brought in a company on Saturday and Captain Brock a company a few days before. They will be mustered.in to-morrow. They have no arms, however. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. B. WOOD, [4.] Colonel, Commanding Post. GALLATIN, October 22, 1861. General JOHNSTON: DEAR SIR: In view of the service contemplated on our part in obedi- ence to your recent orders, it will be indispensably necessary that about 12,000 musket cartridges and 5,000 rifle cartridges be sent at once from Nashville to my regiment at Jamestown, and ~,000 musket cartridges to Colonel Murrays regiment at the same place, as mine only has about four rounds and his about seven. My arms mixed of rifles and muskets and his entirely muskets. According to your former orders I had (after breaking up all the camps on the border) ordered Colonel Mur- rays regiment to the most suitable place on the border, and according to my best judgment sent them to a point near Jamestown. Your last order, as I am infor-ined, does not conflict with this dispositiomi of said regiment. I have not seem the last order. Does it replace Colonel Murrays regiment ummder my command; and have I again command over Captains Bledsoes and Sanders compamiles of cavalry, as I ha Page 183 Cuip. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 183 under former orders~ Again, under whose direct command will such cavalry as General Zollicoffer may have sent to Jamestown be in absence of General Zollicoffers owii presence at that place or that part of the border~ Had I seen you this morning I would have snggested to you the importance of increasing my command to 5,000 at or near Jamestown, with some few pieces of artillery, so as to have enabled me to go from Jamestown via Albany and Monticello to Somerset, and taking possession of all that valley of rich subsistence resources, and at the same time controlling the navigation of the Cumberland River this winter, could render much in aid of General Zollicofter, both in such supplies as he and myself may need from Nashville and from that valley all along up to and about Somerset, the one being essential to raw and the other to manufactured articles of military necessity. But this is simply an idea of my own, and L hope that you will excuse me if it should seem inconsistent with or nonsubservient to your l)lans and policies contemplated for the control of that portion of the State. I hope at least that if your last order (which I have not yet seen) does not define the nature and extent of my command, that you will SOOIL forward to me such information in that regard as you may think proper. Let me here suggest that my regiment, although mustered into the service more than three months ago, has not received a dimes pay, neither officers nor privates, and their clothes (only one suit each) are well-nigh worn out (inferior at first). They have but om~e light, small blanket each, weather getting cold, no money to clothe themselves with; have been patient, however, and as gallant a set of boys as ever entered the service. I hope you will see that they are soon to be visited with means of relief. We have no Government wagons at all and have to hire and press into the service ox and all other sorts of inferior teams, all of which retards our progress very much in marching upon the enemy, always enabling them to find out our approach in due time for escape. We have scattered all the camps of the enemy from the border, including Fraims, the Mud camps, the Moore camp, and the Burkes- ville camp, and also the Albany canip. We are proud to be under your command and will cheerfully obey all your orders strictly. Yours, respectfully, S. S. STANTON, Colonel Twenty.ftfth Aegimnent Tennessee Volunteers. P. 5. Please see that Capt. Q. C. Sanders company of cavalry shah be armed. The memoranda are in the hands of your adjutant-general. S. S. STANTON, [4.] Colonel, cFc. CAVE CITY, October 23, 1861. Col. W. W. MACKALL, Bowling Green: The forces on this line under my command are: Four regiments infantry, commanded by Colonels Hiudman, Hanson, Hawthorn, and Allison; two battalions cavalry, commanded by Majors Phifer and Cox; one section artillery, commanded by Lieutenant Oshin; one company Kentucky ca~ralry, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Reed. W. J. HARDEE, ~4.j M~jor-Uener~l Page 184 184 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. KNOXVILLE, October 21, 1861. General JOHNSTON, Bowling Green: I have j ust learlle(l from a man direct from General Zollicofters camp that General Zollicoffer attacked the enemy, 10,000 strong, at Rock Castle, on Monday.. He drove them from two of their works, but had to abandon them and fall back. W. B. WOOD, [1.] Colonel, Commanding Post. SPECIAL ORDERS, Anjr. AND INSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 188. Richmond, October 24, 1861. * * * * * * * V. The following companies will be organized into a battalion, the designation of which will be the Second Battalion of Ivlississippi Cav- alry, Maj. William T. Martin commanding: Captain Martins company of Mississippi cavalry, Captain Gordons compam y Mississippi cavalry, Captain Perrins company Mississippi cavalry, Captain Stones company Alabama cavalry. * * * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, [6.] Assistant Adjutant. General. FORT PILLOW, October 21, 1861. Maj. Gen. LEONIDAS POLK: SIR: The work on the fortifications at this post is progressing with entire satisfaction with the force under my charge. In the rear the ditching and breast-works lack only about a half mile of joining the two wings together. The revetting will be completed in a few days. I shall be able to finish the entire rear line of breast-works in the course of next week, but Captaii~ Wi utter informs me that you wish the front work pressed so that he can place his guns in battery by Wednes- day next. I shall accordingly detail to him a larger force for that pur- pose. I dispatched the steamer Mars last night with three reliable commissioners to collect hands in Tunica and Coahoma Counties, in Mississippi, and Phillips County, Ark., and return without delay. With the force I expect from that quarter I hope to complete the forti- fications entire in twenty days. Your obedient servant, LEWIS P. WILLIAMSON, [4.] General Superintendent. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF ALABAMA, Mobile, October 25, 1861. Hon. .1. P. BENJAMIN, Acting Secretary of War, Richmond, Va.: SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communi- cation of the 18th instant, and in reply thereto can only reiterate the statements hem-etofore made to the Department. The memoranda for the defeiises of Mobile, approved by the then Secretary of War, the original of which is in my possession, and a copy of which will be foun Page 185 185 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. in the Adjutant-Generals Office, show that two of the three infantry regiments to be added to the force here were to be armed and desig- iiated by Governor Moore, of Alabama. The original paper shows this order to me in the handwriting of the then Secretary of War. This order was my authority for receiving from Governor Moore the two regiments armed and designated by him. There was ito mistake in my Ibrmer statement; none in this, however unintelligible it may yet seem to be. Should ally further elucidation of this matter be considered necessary or desirable, I beg to reter you to Governor Moore, of Ala- bama, and to the then Secretary of War, as no information was given me as to the authority given on the one pait and received QIi the other beyond that stated. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servani, J. M. WITHERS, [6.] Brigadier- General. HuNTsvILLE, ALA., October 25, 1861. Hon. J. P. BENJAMIN, Richmond: Your dispatch of the 23d just received. General Johnston has tele- graphed and written urging these troops to be sent into Kentucky, and I telegraphed the President to this effect yesterday, and that we had no arms. Judges regiment is here, and if under these circumstances you think it more important to send it to Manassas, it shall move at once on receipt of your answer. L. P. WALKER. [6.] RiCHMoND, VA., October 25, 1861. Brig. Gen. GEORGE B. CRITTENDEN: DEAR GENERAL: I have thought of you as my first choice to com- mand a column of ten regiments, to advance from Cumberland Gap toward the center of Kentucky, and elsewhere, as circumstances will permit. It has occurred to me that personal considerations might ren- der the service uimdesirable to you, and I write this unofficial note to request the free expression of your wishes in the matter. Very truly, your friend, JEFFN DAVIS. [4.] BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, Camp at Flat Lick, October 25, 1861. Lieutenant-Colonel MCCLELLAN, Near Jamestown: SIR: I learn from Colonel Wood, of the Fifteenth Alabama Regi- ment, that you are near Jamestown with three of your companies and four others belomigiug to the battalions of Colomiels Branner and Brazel- tom. I have reliable information that there are at Rock Castle Hill, in Laurel County, and at Camp Dick Robinson it) ,000 of the enemy, and 10,000 more betweemi Cinciummati aimd the latter place. I will return to Camp Buckner to-morrow. You will keep scouts out on the road toward Monticello as far into Kentucky as practicable, and promptly report to me anything of importance. The enemy profess to be advancin Page 186 186 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. toward Cumberland Gap, but may turn toward Jamestown. Keep a careful guard over the commissary stores sent out to your post., retir- ing thence back should there be a large force approaching. Very respectfully, F. K. ZOLLICOFFEIR, [4.] Brigadier- General. RICHMOND, October 26, 1861. General L. P. WALKER, Iliuntsville, Ala.: Send Col. T. J. Judges regiment here at once. I advise you to come with your whole brigade, because you cannot be armed by A. S. John- ston or by us; but in the Army of the Potomac the generals have gath- ered arms enough to arm your brigade. You may (10 as you please on this point, as I have other unarmed regiments that will be delighted to get to Manassas. Answer forthwith. J. P. BENJAMIN, [6.] Acting & cretary of War. HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DEPARTMENT, Bowling Green Oc Brigadier-General BUCKNER, tober 28, 1861. Commanding & cond Division: GENERAL: Instruct the officer commanding your cavalry at Wood- bury to move with his force to the neighborhood of Rochester, and ascertain the l)osition and force of the enemy in that vicinity. Give him all the information you have in relation to their movements, that he may be on his guard. Send your orders by express. Respectfully, your obedient servant, W. W. MACKALL, [4.] Assistant Adjutant- General. BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, Camp Buckner, October 28, 1861. Lieutenant-Colonel MCCLELLAN, Near Jamcstown: Slit: I have a letter from Colonel Murray of the 22d, informing me that he would be at Albany by the 25th instant.* Whether Colonel Stantons regiment is with him I have no information, and I do not definitely understand the orders under which Murray is moving. I this morning learned that messengers from the enemy in Kentucky are arriving through the gaps in the neighborhood of Jacksborougb, and communicating with their friends in East Tennessee. I send (lowli Captain Aslibys company to arrest such persons and cut off communi cation. I wish you to detail a cavalry company to watch the road from Huntsville to Montgomery, and cut-off intercourse between our enemies across the line. Also watch the roads as much as possible. I shall desire frequently to hear from you, and I hope you will by cavalry express messengers keep up communication with Colonel Murray. Read, seal, and send the inclosed dispatch to him.t Very respectfully, F. K. ZOLLICOFFER, [4.] Brigadier- General. See Vol. IV, p. 213. See Vol. IV, ~ 483 Page 187 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 187 NASHVILLE, October 29, 1861. Hon. PHILIP I)ANDLiIDGE: ~Jy DEAR SIR: Wheres Rosecrai~~~is the cry here. It is sup- posed that he has effected a junction with Bull Nelson and is marching on Williams. After overwhelming the latter he will cut off Zollicoffer in detail. Lee should cross over into Kentucky, leaving a few troops to guard the impregnable mountain barriers, or Williams will have to fall back or be captured. The Kentuckians as yet (10 not enlist on either side. If Johnston wonid only move forward to Muidraughs Hill it would be worth to us 30,OO() men. Mr. Arnold Harris, xvhose hand is crippled, is present, and requests me to add that Zollicoffbr ought to be instantly re-enforced to enable him to penetrate to Lexing- ton, otherwise he will be driven back an(l the Federals will take pos- session of the railroad north of Knoxville, thins cutting oft all commu- nication between Virginia and the Southwest. Not less than 5,00() men should be sent to him at once. A strong force should also be sent to Prestonville to move forward simultaneously with Zolhicoffer. The arrival of these two converging corps would swell the Confederate army by 20,000 good men. Send all the Tennessee troops that can be spared from Virginia for this service. The Northwest is pouring its hordes into Kentucky. No less thai 12,000 entered the State last week at Cincinnati and Louisville. - They volunteer under the belief that the Kentuckians are in the fight, and that they are marching to the rescue against fire-eating invasion. If Johnston does not advance and dispel this delusion they will have 200,000 men disputing with him theIr pas- sage into Tennessee before themiddle of December. II shall write to Bev. [Tucker] on gun and financial matters today. Your friend, GEG. N. SANDERS. Mr. H. continues: It is well known here that all the Tennessee troops in Western Virginia are anxiomis for aim active winter earn paigu in Ken- tucky. Order them to their neighboring State i~nd they will make a clean sweep of the Lincolnites. No doubt General Johnston, if he knew of the Eastern Kentucky movement, would act in concert to meet the other two columns via Lebanon. Lexington is the terminus of three railroads, and one of the strongest strategic points in the State. Thence you can strike Frankfort, Cincinnafi, and Louisville. [4.] RICHMOND, October 30, 1861. Col. JOHN S. WILLIAMS, Prestonbury, Ky.: SIR: I am instructed to inform you that Capt. William C. Jeifress is now at Wythevihle, Va., with his light battery company, under orders to proceed to Jeffersonville, Va., and there await yonr imistructions. The Secretary of War desires that you detach from your command an armed company (cavalry preferred) and direct it to proceed to Jeffer- sonville, there to nnite with the battery company of Captain Jeftress1 whence they will together proceed to Prestonbnrg, Ky. The battery must be supported by a sufficient force, either cavalry or infantry, in its march from Jeffersonville to Prestonbnrg, aiid no time should be lost in furnishing this support as above directed. Very respectfully, & c., COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General Page 188 188 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. ELk., & N. GA. [Cni~. LXIV. [Indorsement.] Copy sent to Capt. W. C. Jeifress, at Wytheville, Va., who will await the arrival at Jeffersonville of the company herein referred to before J)roceeding to Prestonburg, unless he has sufficient reliable information that the route to Prestonburg is entirely safe. S. C[OOPER], [4.] Adjutant and Inspector General. llDQR~. SECOND Div., CENTRAL COLUMN OF KENTUCKY, Bowling Green, October 30, 1861. Captain WoODwARD: SIR: You are directed to make a reconnaissance from the Russeliville road in the direction of Rochester and Muddy River. The object is to learn of the positions, movements, and strength of any force of the enemy that may be in that direction. Report the facts as speedily as possible. Use every precaution to prevent surprise. As your object is to learn of the enemys positions, & c., run no risk in any fight not con- nected with a simple reconnaissance. Send a report ot the reconnais- sance you made this morning by return courier. On completing the duty assigned you in this order, return to these headquarters. Respectfully, S. B. BUCKNER, [4.] Brigadier- General, C. S. A~~my. GENERAL ORDERS, HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., SECOND Div., ARMY OF CENTRAL KENTUCKY, No. 1. ) Near Bowling Green, October 30, 1861. The colonel of the Fourteenth Mississippi Regiment hereby assumes the command of Second Brigade. The following staff officers are tem- porarily appointed, whose official signatures will be recognized as such: Lient. S. ID. Harris, Lient. L. F. Carriugton, Fourteenth Regiment, act- ing aides-dc-camp. Regimental morning reports will be sent to brigade headquarters. All applications, & c., requiring the action of the oen. eral of division will be forwarded through the brigade commander. By order of W. E. Baldwin, colonel, commanding brigade: L. F. CARRINGTON, [4.] Aide de- Camp. GENERAL ORDER.] BRIGADE HEADQUARTEIIN, Cuniberland Gap, October 30, 1261. The efficiency and safety of an army sometimes materially depend upon the concealment of the real strength, position, and movement from the enemy. It is apparent that heretofore we have not succeeded imm this. We are begirt with enemies, and spies have, in the guise of friendship, been in our camps. All circumstances surrounding us immake this peculiarly a time when knowledge of our mnovemnents and positions should only be communicated to those officers whose position require them to have such knowledge. When thins communicated the com- manding general feels confident he need only remind such officers o Page 189 CHAP. LXIV.~ CORRESPONDENCE, ETCCONFEDERATE. 189 the value of secrecy in army movements to have it observed. Hence- forward no person, on any pretense whatever, unless connected with the army service, will be permitted to pass through the lines of any encampment of this command. Field officers of the day will be care- ful properly to instruct sentinels and pickets upon the enforcement of this order. By order of Brigadier-General ZollicoiThr: POLLOK B. LEE, [4.j Assistant Adjutant-General. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, ]ileniphis, October 30, 1861. His Excellency the PRESIDENT OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA: The Chamber of Commerce of Memphis respectfully invites your attention to the accompanying Special Orders, No. 142, of Major-Gen- eral Polk. Its intent and effect is to interdict the export of grain to Memphis from the large and productive region of country lying on the Mississippi River above, in time States of Tennessee, Arkansas, Mis- souri, and Kentucky. The opinion of the chamber is that the order is both illegal and impolitic. A proper case of military necessity may be allowed to excuse, and probably justify, some invasion of the rights of the citizens by the military authbrities. The present does not appear. to be such case. The order has no pretext of necessity upon which to rest. At the most, it has its origin in a regard to the convenience and cheapness of obtaining supplies for the Army. Such considerations, though probably praiseworthy, are by no means an excuse for subject- ing a large region of country to military rule, and prohibiting a large number of our people from engaging in the lawful trade of the country. But the illegality of the order might be borne, perhaps, by onr people in the present perils of the country if it served the purpose for which it was made. 0mm the contrary, it enhances the price of grain in the embargoed region and iii the whole country upon the Mississippi River, and causes a general discontent among the people. The prices of the city govern the prices of the country around. If graimm advances in the city, it at once advances in like rate in the country. Since the order was made grain has advanced in Memphis quite 33 per cent., and the better opinion ascribes time advance solely to the cutting off time supply from the emnb~rgoed region. Besides, the advance in Memphis has been followed and is thought to have produced a corresponding advance in other and distant points, including places as far distant as Knox- ville and New Orleans. Thus the order defeats its own purpose, and causes an unnecessary and heavy advance of prices to the Army else- where and to the whole people. The chamber respectfully submits the matter to the President for redress, and has appointed two of its mem- bers, Messrs. A. M. Fonte and W. B. Gaibreath, to proceed at once to Richmond for the purpose of obtaining early attention and relief to the people in the premises. All which is submitted with the highest respect to His Excellency the President of the Confederate States of Anmerica. THOS. W. HUNT, President. JNO. S. TOOF, & eretary Page 190 190 Sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. [Inclosure.] SPECIAL ORDERS, ~ HDQRS. FIRST DIV., WESTERN DEPT.. No. 142. Columbus, Ky., October 22, 1361. Hereafter no grain will be allowed to be taken from that portioii of the State of Tennessee bounded on the south by the military road run-- fling east from Fulton, on the Mississippi River, to Masons Depot on the Memphis and Ohio Railroad; on the west by the Mississippi River, and on the east by the Memphis and Ohio Railroad. Nor will grain be allowed to be taken from any of the counties on the west bank of the Mississippi River north of Fulton, Teun., the grain in this district being required for the use of the Army. Steam-boat captains and rail- road agents are strictly prohibited from transporting grain in violation to this order. By command of Major.General Polk: E. D. BLAKE, [4.] Captain, C. & Army, Acting Assistant Adjutant- General. OCTOBER 30 1861. Brig. Gen. W. J. HARDEE: SIR: I have found from General Blackburn that the position I was iii at Burelis was not more than three miles from Bowling Green. I have consequently advanced two miles beyond that point. I am now encamped at a point where the road enters a large valley. The valley is cleared and open to our view for over a mile. Our artillery com- mands the road, and is planted between my regiment and Colonel Thorntons. Colonel Cross regiment is in rear. Besides our camp guards we have strong pickets on every side, and sufficiently advanced to give us warning of an enemys approach. It is now an hour and a half after sunset, but the wagons have not arrived. I have not seen any one to.day who could give me any information of the enemy. I will keep a sharp lookout my~elf. Respectfully, P. H. CLEBURNE, [4.] Colonel, Commanding ASvecond Brigade. CUMBERLAND GAP, October 31, 1861. Lieutenant-Colonel MACKALL, Assistant Adjutwut- General, Bowling Green: My information is uncertain, but if the enemys force marching this way is what I suppose, there should be a much larger force on the line of passes from Cuinberland Gap to Jamestown. Indications give some ground for uneasiness as to East Tennessee population in event the enemy enters the State.. Could a force from Bowling Green threaten the line of march from Somerset to Jamestown, Tenn. ~ It might give much relief.* Very respectfully, F. K. ZOLLICOFFER. [~~i ____ ___ 5Por reply, see Mackall to Zollicoffer, Vol. IV, p. 496 Page 191 CHAP. LXIV.) CORRESPONDENCfl, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 191 CAMP ZOLLICOF1~ER, October 31, 1861. General A. S. JOHNSTON: DEAR SIR: I am in receipt of your telegraphic dispatch of the 29th instant to-day, by the politeness of General V. K. Stevenson. I am now at Camp Zollicoffer, within one days travel of Jamestown. I have for the last seventeen days been moving every day in the southern por- tion of Kentucky. My command is much fatigued by the march. The country over which we have traveled is very rough and broken. That fact added much to the inconvenience of our trip. We have driven back all the Lincoln troops from onr border. Not one is to be found nearer than thirty miles. The only camp that is near is Colonel flos kins. We could have routed him if your order to Colonel Stanton, with whom I acted, had permitted me to have gone in that direction. I saw the flames consume two of the Lincoln camps micar our border. I am familiar with the topography of the southern portion of Kentucky bordering on this section of the State, as well as the position of all the Lincoln forces in that portion of Kentucky. We now have at James- town and Camp McGinnis and this point 1,000 infantry, 1,000 cavalry; the cavalry within three hours march of Jamestown; my infantry regi- ment within one days march. We keep scouts out and keep ourselves well posted as to all the movements of the enemy, and will be able to concentrate at any time. We have divided our encampment from an imperative necessity, from which there ~vas no other escape. Supplies could not be had near Jamestown, which place is situated on the sum- mit of Cumberland Mountains, and is almost as sterile as the great African desert. I will hold my command ready at all times to protect the supplies of General Zollicoffer at Jamestown. I am in receipt of a letter from Colonel Wood, of the 28th instant, giving me full detail as to the wants and position of General Zollicoffer. Your communication does not state the object of my moving to Jamestown, but from my correspondence with General Zollicoffer I infer it is with a view of pro- tecting his stores. I am the senior officer in command in this portion of the State. My rank is superior to any in this section. I have a regiment of ten companies with 915 privates. I have 650 muskets, with 15 additional muskets captured in Kentucky, making in all 665. I desire to leave this section of the State because I think there is no prospect of active service here, nor do I think this border needs pro- tection, as no enemy at present threatens invasion. Will you order me to Bowling Green, or givo me directions to advance in Kentucky from this point in direction of Monticello~ If the latter order is made,I desire to take with me Col. Joun W. Heads regiment [andj Bledsoes cavalry. These are now at this point under the command of Colonel McClellan, [Maj.orJ Bridgmnan, and Capt. W. T. Gass, as well as the infantry of Capt. William H. Hart, who is now at Camp lIed Sulphnr. The latter coni- pany has not joined a regimnent, although they have been in the service four in~onths. They should be attached to some regiment and put in the service. If you would give me the power I can organize an artillery compamiy to accompany me, if you direct me to move to Kentucky from this point. 1 hold myself in readiness to execute any commands you may give me with the utmost promptness, but I iniplore you to remove me from this point to some place where I can better serve my country. Colonel Stanton has already given you the full particulars of our trip to Kentucky. I am, your friend and obedient servant, JOHN P. MUlIIIAY, [4.3 Colonel Twenty-eighth Regiment Tennessee Volunteers Page 192 192 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. LITTLE RoCK, October 31, 1861. Hon. J. P. BENJAMIN: Our men nuder Hardee in Kentucky have not been paid. They are so far from borne that our bonds are worthless to them. We learn also that the paymaster of the Confederate Government from some cause has not paid them either. Great dissatisfaction exists among those tioops, and I have no doubt they are snft~ring for the want of a small amount of meaiis. Forty thousand dollars would afford great relief. WTe have bought a large amount of clothing for your Government and paid for it, but it will take some time to prepare the accounts for pay- ment. We ask that $5O,~OO be advanced to us upon this clothing account or in any other way, that we may pay off Hardees men the balance due them by the State. H. M. RECTOR, [4.] Governor of Arkcn?sas. RICHMOND, November 1, 1861. Governor II. M. RECTOR, Little Ilock, Ark.: I will send orders for the immediate payment tf the Arkansas troops in Kentucky, but I have no power to make the advance to your State on account of the clothing. J. P. BENJAMIN, [4.] Acting Secretary of War. BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, Huntsville, November 1, 1861. Maj. W. W. MACKALL, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Army of the West, Bowling Green, Ky.: MAJOR: I am directed by Brigadier-General Walker to inclose to you a copy of the order of the Secretary of War, by which four regi- inents were assigned to his brigade. None of these regiments were armed, nor are they now. He has made every possible effort to procure arms, and is encouraged to hope that he may be able before long to arm at least one of the regiments. When this occurs he will telegraph General Johnston for orders to move it. He has other arrangements in progress by which he may be able to arm the others within a reasonable time; but in this he may be disappointed. He is most anxious to be in the department of General Johnston, and only a few days since declined to be trans- ferred to the Potomac, where he had assurances of being armed. If, therefore, it is. possible for General Johnston to aid him to any extent in arming his brigade, he trnsts it will be done. He has a fine body of troops, and they are well drilled for Ike time they have been in the service. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN TYLE It, JR., Assistant Adjutant- General. [Inclosure.l WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Richmond, September 19, 1861. Brig. Gen. L. P. WALKER: SIu: You will proceed to Alabama and take command of the follow- ing unarmed regiments: The Fourteenth Alabalna Regiment Infantry Page 193 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 193 commanded by Col. Thomas J. Judge; the Seventeenth Alabama Regi- ment Infantry, commanded by (Do]. Thomas II. Watts; the Eighteenth Alabama iRegiment Infantry, commanded by Col. E. C. Bullock, and the Nineteenth Alabama Regiment Infantry, cominanderl by Col. Joseph Wheeler. As soon as these regiments are armed and equipped. you will proceed with your command to General A. S. Johnston and report for duty. Respectfully, J. P. BENJAMIN, [4.] Acting Secretary of War. BANK OF KENTUCKY, ~o~umbus, November 1, 1861. Maj. Gen. LEONIDAS POLK, C. S. Army: SIR: Having been served with an order from you by Brigadier- General Cheathaul to the effect that you propose to take military pos- session of this bank and its assets, with the view of preventing removal of funds within your enemys lines and ultimate confiscation of same, against all of which I do most respectfully and earnestly protest for the following reasons: First, such action will be in violation of the let- ter and spirit of your proclamation of date of September 4 last; sec- ond,in vhidatioii of the written guarantee of the commander of the Army of Occupation, Brigadier-General Pillow, of S eJ)tember 9 last, copy of which 1 herewith file as part of this protest; thi id, in violation of Major- General Johnstons proclamation to the people of Kentucky, fully indorsing the policy of non.iiiterference with private rights; fourth, the manifest injustice to individual depositors and stockholders; fifth, the order is impolitic, and if enforced will do more harm than good. The bank is a joint stock company, and it is impracticable to determitie whether owned by friends or foes. It does not come within the act of sequestration, for that is a civil remedy in Confederate States, and the influence of military interference npon the public mind of the State, which General Johnston, in his proclamation, says is not to be pre- sumed an alien enemy, will be readily foreseen. Iii view of the fore. going and other considerations which will doubtless manifest them- seives to your mind, I hope you will rescind your order and allow me, as heretofore to continue the legitimate business of my office. If you order me not to remove the funds of this bank to Padncah, as was con- templated, I will say that I will respect your orders as to Paducah or other points within Federal lines. W. OWENS, JR., Cashier. Should you refuse to allow me to continue the ordinary and legitimate business of the bank, I would respectfully request that you have the papers sent up to General Johnston. [Inelosure.] HEADQUARTERS, Columbus, K September 1., 1861. NY. OWENS, Jr., Cashier Branch Bank of Kentucky, at Columbus: SIR: In reply to yours of this instant, I have to say that you may rely upon my protecting your bank during the occupation of this city by the column under my command. I will allow you to remove the 13 R RYOL LII, PT I Page 194 194 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP.LXIV. funds of the bank at such time and to such place as the officers of the bank may elect, and will afford you suitable guard for such transit. Respectfully, GID. J. PILLOW, Brigadier- General. By JNO. C. BURCII, [4.] Aide- de- Camp. MEMPHIS, November 1, 1861. Capt. E. D. BLAKE, C. S. Army, Acting Assistant Adjutant- General, Columbus, Ky.: SIR: I beg leave to state for the information of Major-General Polk that I am now at Memphis collecting barges to be used in the construc- tion of the floating defenses at Fort Pillow. Owing to the weight of the chain to be used across the river, barges will have to be relied ou for buoys in place of rafts of logs. The heavy anchors have not yet arrived, but are daily expected. The chain is here. I beg leave further to add in the letter for General Polks information that 1 have received a letter from Commander M. F. Maury, C. S. Navy (late chief of the late National Observatory), informing me that while engaged in mak- ing l)reparations for mining the Mississippi River he had been ordered by the Navy Department to suspend such preparations, and to report himself for special duty. This letter of Professor Maury was from Fredericksburg, Va., dated 17th ultimo. I exceedingly regret this failure of our expectations regarding Commander Maurys assistance with submarine batteries, for the reason that I fear we havd no sure means above water of arresting the threatened descent of the enemys iron-clad ships. I have written to the Navy Department to-day, asking sufficient aid from it to insure the placing of such means of defense, and have also written a private letter to the Secretary of the Navy urging him to send Commander Maury to engage in the work. A direct application from General Polk to the Navy Department would rio doubt have much greater weight in the matter than what I may have said. I am, very respectfully, ISAAC N. BROWN, [4.] Lieutenant, C. S. Navy. SPECIAL ORDERS, IIDQRS. SECOND KENTUCKY DIVISION, No. 164. Bowling Green, November 2, 1861. I. Colonel Baldwin will select a company of his regiment to garrison Bakers Hill. The tents will be pitched within the work, or immedi- ately in the rear of the work. II. In case of an alarm or attack Colonel Baldwimi will move his regi- inent to Bakers Hill Redoubt and hold it. The company ordered to garrison the redoubt will move in time to pitch tents before night. By command of General S. B. Buckner: G. B. COSBY, [4.] Assistant Adjutant- General. SPECIAL ORDERS, ADJT. AND INSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 204. Richmond, JVovember 4, 1861. * * * * * * XI. The Mississippi companies of volunteers for the war assembled at Marion Station with a view to their being organized into a regimen Page 195 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 195 will proceed without delay to Pensacola, Fla., and report for duty to Major-General Bragg, who will, on their arrival, make the regimental organization. By the command of the Secretary of War: JiNO. WITHERS, [6.] Assistant Adjutant- General. SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. SECOND KENTUCKY DIVISION, No. 168. Bowling Green, November 4, 1861. I. Capt. J. 11. Morgans company will proceed without delay to Bow- ling Green and report for duty. Captain Morgan will march by land. II. Major Hays will cause one extra car to be attached to the regular train to bring the baggage of the company. By order of General Buckner: G. B. COSBY, [4.] Assistant Adjutant- General. HEADQUARTERS FIFTH KENTUCKY IRE& 3IMENT, Russeliville, Ky., November 4, 1861. Maj. G. B. (JOSBY, Assistant Adjutant- General, Bowling Green, Ky.: SIR: I have the honor to report that I arrived with my command at this post on the night of the 2d, having been detained by the inisman- agement of the railroad officers. I quartered my men for the night in the court-house, and went into camp on the morning of the 30th instant, on the railroad about a quarter of a mile east of the town. From the best information which I have been able to obtain the enemy has moved the force which was at Owensborough to various points in the interior. One of my informants saw none of them on the road from Owensborough through Greenville to this place, and learned that they were partly on the Hartford road. They are also sconring the country south of Greenville and Rochester, but have no force at either of the last-named points. They have, however, a considerable mounted force at Sacramento and South Carrollton. I think that a force of 1,000 cavalry, with two pieces of artillery, if sent to Hartford, could (lisperse the enemy there and capture a large amollnt of army stores and other property, and if held a short time enable us to procure the fattening hogs of that region which are represented by dealers as very numerous. My force, as reported for duty this morning, is 372 men, including offi- cers of all grades. The following is the number and description of my arms fit for service, viz: 43 mimiie muskets (Harpers Ferry rifles), 164 rifle muskets, 37 smooth muskets, 2 shotguns; mnaking 246 in all. From this you will perceive that I have 126 men unarmed, which number will be increased when th~e sick now convalescing shall report for duty. I have therefore to request that at least 150 guns be sent me as soon as possible. The ammunition which was issued to me is entirely too small for the guns, even by using the pape~r, and renders unavailable even the arms which I have. If my force was properly armed, I can see no reason, as at present advised, why I could not hold this position against any troops they are likely to send against it; but they can reach us in one night with cavalry, and it will be buta short time before they are fully informed of our condition, if, indeed, they are not already advised. Persons pass freely and without restriction fromn this place to the counties north of us, whilst our friends find it impossible to get through the lines of the enemy except upomi such conditions as they impose, thu Page 196 196 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. closing avenues of information to us which are open to them. Parties who fail to get passports at Bowling Green may at present return here and pass securely oft without them. I think my position is such that I ought to have from fifty to one hundred mounted men for scouts aiid pickets. I have to-night sent out a party of ten mounted men with instructions to take the Greenville road, and approach that town as near as they can with safety and return by the Rochester road. The proprietor of a small machine-shop here represents that he is in treaty with a party who is to convert it into an armory. If this arrangement is carried out, I can get my guns repaired here. I am promised a (lefinite reply in a few days. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, THOS. II. HUNT, Colonel, Commanding. P. 5.Besides the guns above asked for, I iieed 175 cartridgeboxes 300 cap boxes, 200 belts, 250 bayonet scabbards, 250 knapsacks, and 50() haversacks. [4.] CAMP ZOLLICOFFElt, No rem ber -1,1861. General A. S. JOHNSTON: DEAR SIR: Colonel McClellan informs me this morning that the Federal troops are moving in direction of this section ot the State, from which I infer they aim to penetrate East Tennessee by way of James- town. The mmnmnber now advancing can be easily repelled. They are only 1,800 strong; but these forces are l)erhaps only advance of the main force, as they are cavalry. I write you this to ni-ge on you the importance of sending with the greatest dispatch a few pieces of can- non to this locality. lf properly planted so as to coin inand our mountain passes, in all defensive operations they would be of more service than a regiment of infantry. I hope you will send us a few pieces with the utmost dispatch. Will you pardon inc for so frequently calling your attention to this fact, as I (10 so because I am impressed with the imnpor- tance of this action soon on your paint. 1)elay might render artillery unnecessary. I am, yours, in gm-eat haste, JOHN P. MUIIItAY, [4.J Colonel Twenty- eighth Regiment Tennessee Volunteers. SPECIAL ORDERS, Amn~. AND JNSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 20G. Richmond, November 5,1861. * * * * * * V. The seven companies of Virginia Volunteers-under Colonel Moore, aimd the three companies of Virginia Volunteers at Pound Gap, will forthwith proceed to Prestonburg, Ky., and report to Brig. Gen. H. Marshall, who will organize them into a regiment as the Twenty-ninth Virginia Volunteers, the field officers of which, Col. A. C. Moore, Lieut. Col. William Leigh, and Maj. James Giles, will immediately join the commaim d. * -* * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, Assistant Adjutamit- General Page 197 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 197 SPECIAL ORDERS, IIDQRS. SECOND KENTUCKY DIvISIoN, No. 169. Bowling Green, Norember 5, 1861. I. Capt. T. W. Allens company of cavalry is hereby attached to the command of Capt. J. H. Morgan permanently. II. Capt. T. W. Allen will move with his command from Rocky lull Station to Bowling Green by land without nunecessary delay. III. Major Hays will cause one extra car to be attached to the regular train to bring the baggage of the company. By order of General S. B. Buckner: G. B. COSBY, [4.] Assistant A~jntant- General. MEMPHI.~ Norem ber iSGi. 5, General JOENSTON, Bowling Green: I have heard from you through Mr. Sam. Tate. I am ordered by the Secretary of War to move to the support of General Zollicofter. At what point shall I concentrate my forces i Your orders will be promptly obeyed. WILLIAM fi. CARROLL, [4.] - Brigadier- General, Commanding Tennessee Rifle Brigade. KNoxvILI~ E, Yorember 5, 1861. Brig. Gen. L. P. WALKER, Huntsrille, Ala Enemy advancing on this place in two columnsone by Jacks- borough, the other by Jamestown. Our troops at Jamestown falling back. Railroad bridges in danger. I have only three companies here. Could you send me some armed companies, it I should need thern,in twenty-four honrsl W. B. WOOD, Colonel. (Also sent to Governor Harris, Nashville, Teiin.) [4.] HEADQUARTERS, Knorrilie, Koeember 5, 1861. General F. K. ZOLLICOFFER: GENERAL: Last evenino about dark the courier from Jamestown alTived with Colonel McClellans communication of 1st instant, and during the night another caine in, bringing the dispatch of the 23d, both of which I fhrward to you immediately.* A man from Kentucky reported last evening that the enemy, 30,000 strong, were at the Ten- nessee line Saturday evening, moving in the directioii of Jacksborongh. I did not learn his name or see him, or I would probably have retained him, as I have no doubt he is a Union man sent out to arouse the Unionists all over the country. Colonel McClellans letter confirms, however, the fact of the movements of the enemy. I have sent a dis- patch* to Lieutenant-Colonel Mackall and to the Adjutant-General, ~Not fonini Page 198 198 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. S. Cooper, of which I inclose a copy,~ asking for re-euforcements at this point.t Very respectfully, your obedient servant W. B. WOOD, [4.] Colonel, Commanding Post. SPECIAL ORDERS, Aixvu. AND INSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 208. Richmond, N 6, 1861. * * * * * * Vii. Colonel Scott will immediately proceed with his regiment of Louisiana cavalry to Bowling Green, Ky., and report for duty to Gen- eral A. S. Johnston, commanding. * * * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, [4.] Assistant Adjutant- General. WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., General L. ~. WALKER, Richmond, Novembey 6, 1861. Huntsville, Ala.: M~ DEAR GENERAL: I snatch a moment from the pressure (such as you know it to be) to drop you a line. You must not suppose I intended in the least to interfere with your brigade, or to divert you from your original destination without your consent, but I was suddenly called on by the generals at Manassas for re-enforcements iu expectation of a general engagement, and they proposed to arm three regiments with muskets in their hands captured partly at Leesburg. On attempting to order tbrward some regiments .1 found that in the common panic existing South on the subject of the enemys fleet the regiments in the different camps of instruction had been ordered about right and left by the State Governors and local commanders, sent down to the coast, & c. In my extremity, knowing by a dispatch from Judge that his regiment was certainly within my reach, I ordered him up at once, intending to replace his regiment by another for you. I afterward sent you the offer to order you here, which you declined for reasons eiitirely satisfactory. Subsequently Bragg telegraphed that he had not means to defend Mobile, and asked me to let him order down two regiments to the coast, to be arme(l with the arms belonging to the sick and absentees from the two commands at Pensacola aiid Mobile. To this I of course assented, as it is but temporary, and it was deemed better to make this use of the regiments than to leave them idle in camp. Your brigade was formed nuder your positive conviction that Governor Moore wonld arm your regiments. In this you have beeii disappointed. General John ston has no arms to give you. We have none. Of course we must use the regiments as we best cami till somebody can arm them. We have a steamer which left England last month and is hourly expected~ If she arrives all our troubles will be at an end for the present, and you shall not be forgotten in the distribution. Yours, truly, J. P. BENJAMIN. P. S.What a bed of roses you have bequeathed me! [6.1 *See Vol. IV, p. 520. t For reply, see Zollicoffer to Wood, Vol. IV, p. 521 Page 199 199 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. CAMP AT GLASGOW, November 6, 1861. Col. W. W. MACKALE, Assistant Adjutant- General, C. & Army: COLONEL: I have started this morning three parties of fifty men each one on the Bardstown road (turnpike), one on the road to Greens- burg; and the third on the road to Columbia. These parties are to return to-morrow. 1 can hear nothing of Federal troops on this side of Green River. There has been great alarm here for some days amongst the Southern-rights people, growing out of the fact that a small party of home guards came down two or three days ago to within eight miles of this town. This party was escorting a prominent Union leader who was on a visit to a sick sister. Most of the people of this place are friendly and much alarmed. Forage is abundant. There have been some depredations committed in this vicinity by some of our people, supposed to be Capt. John II. Mom-gans company. Two negroes were taken from a Union man and brought to this town and turned over to Southern-rights people. I have ordered them return& . From the same Union man the following ~)roperty was taken, viz: One brown mare, white face and feet; 1 iron-gray mare, flea-bitten on head and neck; 1 riding sa(ldle, 2 bridles, I pair saddle-bags, 2 flannel shirts, 1 bedeover, blanket, and quilt. These things are supposed to have been taken by Captain Morgans company. This company is now in Bow- ling Green. 1 do not think a large force of the enemy can move, with wagons and artillery, except on the tum-upike road through this place. The roads to the east and south of this place l)~S5 through a hilly, rough country and are almost impassable for vehicles. This post would be a good location for the Texan Rangers were they iii condition to take the field. Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, J. M. HAWES, [4.] Major, C. ~. Army, Commanding. MEMPHIS, November 6, 1861. General POLK: DEAR Sin: I go to New Orleans to-morrow with Captain Hunt with a hope of being able to make some am-rangemnent by which we may get a large lot of the things now most needed. I can hardly hope to accomplish all that our friend Richmond desires and is willing to attempt, yet we may do something, and anything now is that much in a close place. I learn that the gun-boat Howard is now due here. There are six 32-pounder guns, and one 8-inch columbiad that Captain Hunt tells me is for her. I wish we had a dozen such boats. If we had, I should feel safe. I hope you will not cease your efforts until you get the chain cables now here in place, and as many submarine batteries planted as you think necessary to blow all the Lincoln gun-boats out of the Mississippi River. I think we have no positive insurance against these gun-boats except in the submarine batteries. These will do, I know. I learned from Mr. Morgan, at Nashville on Saturday last, that they were making 2,800 pounds of powder there daily. Mr. Thomas Lee, of New Orleans, assures me they are making 6,000 pounds daily at that place. The only fear is want of saltpeter, and we have enough of that to keep things going for thirty or forty days, by which time we will have some of our largest caves in operation In Arkansas, besides many of smaller note at other points. Besides this, I think our ports will be open in forty days, an Page 200 200 Sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. we will be able to get what we want. Theii we can fight the North for ten years and make money by it. The Federal fleet is bombarding Port Royal, but as far as heard from we have the best of it. We are looking with great anxiety to hear further from the fleet. We expect to hear of a great battle between Price and McCnlloch and Fr6mont. Our advices assure us Price and McCulloch have made the trip and got together at Neosho with 37,000 men, and Fr6mont is at Springfield with about 40,000. We have no fear of the result. General, dont forget or neglect the submarimne batteries. They are the thing and should not be delayed. You must make them give you plenty of powder for Fort Pillow and Columbus. A failure to have this thing needful would ruin everything and bring ruin and disgrace upon us all. The month of November will be memorable and bloody. My best wishes for your success and triuml)h. SAM. TATE~ [4.] RICHMOND, November 6, 1861. Col. ROBERT C. TRIGG, Christiansburg, l~a.: Be prel)ared to move with your regiment as already directed, and be governed by the orders of General 11. Marshall, now at Wytheville. Leave behind the sick unable to travel and a competent officer of your command to gather up and forward such arms as have not been returned to the regiment. Capt. J. C. Taylor leaves to-morrow with the cloth- ing and ammunition. S. COOPER, [4.] Adjutant and Inspector General. IIEADQTJARI~ERS WESTERN DEPARTMENT, Engineers Office, Bowling Green, Ky., November 7, 1861. Licut. Col. W. W. MACKALE, Assistant Adjutant- General: SIR: Referring to my letter * from Nashville under date of [the J 4th instant, on the subject of guns for arming the proper defenses for the Cumberland River, and for other purposes, I would now recommend for the armament of works in the vicinity of Nashville and Clarksville the following, viz: First. For armilig the defenses of the Cumberland River in the vicinity of Nashville, viz: Six 32-pounder guns, with gar- rison carriages; two 8-inch columbiads, with garrison carriages. Second. For arming defenses on the land approaches to Nashville, viz: Twenty-five 12-pounder guns, with siege carriages; three field batteries of four 6-pounder guns and two 12-pounder howitzers each. Thu d. For land defenses at Clarksville, viz: Two field batteries of four 6-pounder guns and two 12-pounder howitzers each. There should be furitished not less than 100 rounds of ammunition for the guns amid howitzers the same for the columbiads. Very respectfully, J. F. GILMEII, [4.] Miajor of Engineers and (Jhi Engineer of Western Dept. See Vol. IV, p. 514 Page 201 201 C~r. LXIThJ CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. KNOXVILLE, November 7, 1861. Lieut. Col. W. W. MACKALL, Assistant Adjutant- General, Bowling Green, Ky.: General Zollicoffer left Cumberland Gap yesterday. He wrote to me that he would move as rapidly as possible with five regiments, the battery of artillery, and some cavalry from Jacksborough, by way of Clinton, Pzward Mo4gomery and Jamestown. Heard nothing from McClellan or Murray for two days. W. B. WOOD, [4.] Colonel. BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, Gumberland Gap, November 7, 1861. The regiments will move to Ross and thence to Olivers (on the road from Knoxville to Montgomery) at 12 m. to-day in the following order: Fifteenth Mississippi Regiment, Seventeenth Tennessee Regiment, Nineteenth Tennessee Regiment, Twentieth Tennessee Regiment, Twenty ninth Tennessee Regiment. The baggage train of each regi- ment with its regiment. The artillery will precede the Twenty-ninth Tennessee Regiment. Captain Rowans command of cavalry will pre- cede the infantry column, and Colonel MeNairy will follow the infantry and artillery. By order of Brigadier-General Zollicoffer: POLLOK B. LEE, [4.] Assistant Adjutant- General. OLIVERS, On road from Knoxville to ]1fontgomery, November 8, 1861. Lieutenant-Colonel MACKALL, Assistant Adjutant- General, Bowling Green, Ky.: Reached this point at 2 p. m. Received dispatch from Lieutenant- Colonel McClellan, dated yesterday, at Camp McGinnis, saying his report of 4th as to number and movement of the enemy was a mistake. Jnstead of retiring toward Pikeville, he is still near Jamestown. His pickets visited Monticello. Enemy has camp five miles east, bnt num- bers unascertained. Stanton and Murray approaching Jamestown. I return to Jacksborough to obstruct neighboring passes. F. K. ZOLLICOFFER, Brigadier- General. (Telegraph this also to General S. Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va.) [4.] BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, Olivers, on road from Knoxville to Montgomery, November 8, 1861. Col. W. B. WOOD, Sixteenth Alabama Regiment, Knoxville, Teun.: SIR: A messenger from Lieutenant-Colonel McClellan was passing to you just as I entered this road, and intercepting him I found he had a dispatch for me. The lieutenant-colonel writes me on the 7th that he is satisfied that his dispatch of the 4th, that there were 6,000 of the enemy, infantry, cavalry, and artillery, encamped near Monticello an Page 202 202 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. moving toward Jamestown, was a mistake. He says there is, he learns, a camp of the enemy five miles out of Monticello, but their character or number he has not been able to learn. His pickets have been into Monticello, and the colonel, instead of retiring toward Pike- yule, as he said he had determined to do, is yet at Camp McGinnis. He has heard nothing from Stanton and Murray for two days. Colonel understands they are on their way to Camp McGinnis. We have made a forced march to get here to intercept the enemy, supposing that as McClellan had retired toward Pikeville and Stanton and Murray could not be heard from, the enemy would march through toward Loudon bridge or Knoxville, and that I could stop them at the passes as they attempted to descend the mountain, and to determine which road they would come I ordered cavalry on ahead on both the road from Kingston to Montgomery and this road. This march has been for nothing, and I will now return to Jacksborongh. Please instruct Major Fain, Major Burleson, and Mr. McClung (ordnance officer) that I will return to Jacksborough, so that army supplies or communications they may wish to forward will be sent in the right direction. Very respectfully, F. K. ZOLLICOFFEIR, [~~1 Brigadier- General. CAMP AT GLASGOW, Kr., November 8, 1861. Col. W. W. MACKALL, Assistant Adjutant- General, C. ~. Army: COLONEL: My parties have returned, the last one coming in last night. From the reports of these parties and general information I feel confident that there are no troops this side of Green River. There is a force at Columbia of home guards variously estimated from 400 to 1,200. The people of this county are very much elated at the presence of Southern troops. If the general could send a force of two regiments here, one infantry and one cavalry, with two pieces of artillery, I think that a great deal of good might be done and the right flank of his army could be effectually guarded. I will move this evening toward Bowling Green and camp five or six miles from this place. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. M. HAWES, [4.] Major, C. k~. Army. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, General BRAXToN BRAGG, Montgomery, Ala., November 8, 1861. Commanding Department of Alabama and West Florida: SIR: Yours of the 30th ultimo was not received until this morning. In reply I much regret to state that we have no available force of State troops which could be concentrated at this point at an early day. tf, indeed, the State could arm and equip them the menvolunteers would not be wanting, but Alabama has exhausted herself in furnish- ing arms and equipments to her volunteers in the Confederate service. There are some seven companies of Colonel Conoleys regiment of the Confederate service encamped at this place, but unarmed, and there are four regiments of General Walkers brigade, one of which has already moved to Mobile, of which I presume you are advised. Three compa- nies of Colonel Becks regiment left last night for the same point; th Page 203 203 CRAP. LXIV.] CORRE~P0NDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. other companies go forward to-day. If you are authorized or could obtain authority to accept volunteers under the act of Congress of 21st of August to provide for local defense and special service, and would address me a communication to the effect that fifty companies or any less number, armed with shotguns and rifles, would be accepted for three or six months under that act, I would issue my l)roclamation at once, and I believe I could have them concentrated at this point in a very short time. For fear of delays by mail I send this by special messenger. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. B. MOORE. [6.] HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DEPARTMENT, Bowling Green, Ky., November 9, 1861. Major HUNT, Ordnance Officer, Memphis: On October 30 two 32-pounder rifled cannon and 205 32-pounder (rifled) shot were shipped from Charleston to Memphis. Send them to Nashville the moment they arrive. Send also twelve field guns (6-pounders) to Nashville to Lieutenant Wright, of the ordnance. Respectfully, your obedient servant, W. W. MACKALL, [4.] Assistant Adjutant. General. IRICHMOND, November 10, 1861. - General L. P. WALKER, Huntsville, Ala.: I have no objections to your going to Mobile to command your regi- ments. I refer you to General B. Bragg for orders about W. SD. Chad- icks battalion. If General Bragg desires it, he can order them to Mobile. J. P. BKNJAMIN, [6.] Acting Secretary of War. HEADQUARTERS LOUISIANA LEGION, New Orleans, November 10, 1861. Maj. Gen. L. POLK, Commanding Department No. 2, Golumb us, Ky.: GENERAL: We have just now received the news of the great victory you have won over the Lincoln troops in Missouri. Allow me to con- gratniate you and the brave officers and men under your command of this fresh addition to the imperishable laurels already gathered at Manassas, Fort Sumter, Leesburg, & c. Here all is excitement, and no other theme discussed but your last victory. I regret, however, not to have shared your dangers and your glory. Many brave men are now sleeping in the grave whose hands I have often shaken in token of friendship. Poor Butler! So young and so full of brilliant hopes! And how many more are dead whose names have not reached ns! My sincere hope is that before long I will be able to meet you at Columbus, or anywhere you may wish to have me, and that I shall have the chance of giving my life for my country. By Mr. Tonneau I send you you Page 204 204 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & 1~. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. saber and your k~pi; I have had to wait a long time for the former. It is truly magnificent, and the blade is of superior cast steel. The price of the two articles is very high. We are short of everything here, and labor is at high premium. I hope you will be pleased, and if you should desire anything sent to you from here, I will make it my duty to attend to your orders. I have letters from Colonel McGinnis. He says the President is fully impressed with the importance of the movement we proposed to you to execute in the very center of the Unionists in Kentucky. The events have already proved the necessity of the ocen- patiomi of the points we have designated. The President would give us the necessary power, but cannot supply us with arms, which are indispensable for the plan we contemplated. Colonel McGinnis says that if you and some other officer of high rank, like General Johnston and General MeCown, urge my appointment to the rank of brigadier- general in the Provisional Army, I am sure to have it, as the President, who knows me personally, thinks I can be of some service in Kentucky. My ambition is not so great. If you waiit me, I will resign my coin- mission in the State service and accept of any commission you may desire to ask for me. My presence here can be of no earthly use. I have to deal with a set of politicians, who have determined to abuse me in ,such a manner as to compel me to resign my office, which is desired by one of the Governors minions. NoW that I have 8,000 men under my orders they have found out what a power the general commanding the legion could wield, and want to seize upon it. This has disgusted me and made me desirous to fight our battles on some other point of the Confederacy. If you think I deserve your patronage, I beg that you may take this matter into con- sideration. I have here one battery of artillery, the Beauregard Battery, and some other companies of infantry, who are desirous to go to Colum- bus. The Governor having issued orders that iio more troops should leave the State, I coald not send them to you without an order from the President authorizing me to do so. 1 shall have to disband them first and theii enlist them for Confederate service. I can, with proper authority, raise a brigade here, bnt could not arm nor uniform the men; arms and clothing not to be found here at any price. I am preparing a short paper upon the river defenses. I think unless you carry into execution the plan I suggested to you at Columbus that you will not be able to stop the gun-boats, or rather floating blinded batteries, which are now building at Cincinnati, Louisville, and Saint Louis. They can at any time pass the land batteries at night, and, with some little fight, in the day. Against such extraordinary measures we must adopt defenses of similar character. People here laugh at the idea of the Lincolnites passing from Cairo to New Orleans. 1 look upon time move- ment in a different light, and think it one of a most threatening kind for us, who have no means of defense proportionate to the attack. I would suggest the same plan I have proposed for the forts below the city, namely: First. Barring or closing the river at the limit of YOIil7 upper batteries- the rafts to carry heavy rifled pieces with steel points to the projectiles (32s); the pieces to be mounted upon casemate car- riages, and the rafts blinded with sand-bags and heavy cross-ties. The rafts will allow sufficient room for our boats to pass, amid will be anchored singly with a compensation chain, in order to prevent any freshet from tearing them from their anchors. Second. Heavy batteries to be set on the Missouri side on Maximilian towers sufficient to repel any attack by land and waterone tower opposite Columbus, the other at one mile above, each mounting ten caseinate guns and one heav Page 205 CRAP. LXIV.l CORRESPONDENCE, ETC .CONFEDERATE. 205 (10-inch) columbiad, in complete circle in barbette, defended by 200 men. Third. Submarine batterks in the principal channels, at various depths, to be fired by galvanic battery. The moral effect of this is immense upon the enemy, and its practical results sure if well con- structed. The same means repeated, if possible, at Fort Pillow and Memphis. Finally, using for the guns on the hills the depression car- riage used at Gibraltar by the British. It is simple, efficient, cheap, aiid can be built at the rate of five to one columbiad barbette carriage. Let inc also suggest to you the importance of a company of sappers and miners to execute and direct the workmen in executing all these works. We can get the material here with proper authority; also a bridge trainsay 150 men, with boats, tools, carriages. This is indispensable in Kentucky and Tennessee, and will more than once enable you to sur- prise the enemy by throwing a bridge on a river, or of saving the army by being enabled to cross a river and destroying your bridge. In two months I can promise to get ~ such a corps, the men being taken from old soldiers of the French army arid formerly belonging to the pon ton iers. I now close this long letter, and remain, yours, very truly, J. TRUDEAU, [4 and 6.] Brigadier- General. SPECIAL ORDERS, ADJT. AND JNSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 216. Richmond, Nocem ber 11, 1861. * * * * * * * II. The Georgia battalion with its light battery, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Stovall, will proceed with all dispatch to Bristol, Term., and there report for dnty to Colonel Leadbetter, comman(ling. * * * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, [4.] Assistant Adjutant- General. BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, Jaeksborough, November 11, 18611 p. m. Col. W. B. WOOD, Knoxville: SIR: Yours of yesterday evening just in. Take steps to ascertain of a certainty the reliability of all such reports and keep me constantly advised. I am using the force to do very important work here, and [will] probably have it finished in four days. Dont want to abandon it unless necessary, but wish you to give me all the reliable movements you have kimowledge of. You do not inform me whether my dispatches to Richmond and Bowling Green have been telegraphed, or will be. Very respectfully, F. K. ZOLLICOFFER, [4.] Briqadier- General. RICHMOND, November 11, 1861. His Excellency ISHAM G. HARRIS, Governor of Tennessee: SIR: J am directed by the Secretary of War to inform you that a regiment has been organized to-day under the style of the Fortiet Page 206 206 sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [C~. LXIV. Tennessee Regiment, Provisional Army. The last regiment organized by your State reported to this Department was the Twenty-ninth. For fear that others have been organized which have not been reported, we have given it this number. We desire the numbers 34, 35, 3~J, 37, 38, and 39. Please let the numbers of regiments formed and commissioned by your State after 33 commence at 41, so as not to conflict with the numbers above. We have formed six regiments, now known as the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth, but as confusion is caused by having several regiments with the same desigiiation, we pro- pose to change them by special order as above. You will confer a great favor by informing us of regiments formed by you and turned over to the Confederate States, as frequently months elapse before the muster- rolls are received, and regiments are in existence some time before we know it. Your compliance with the above will confer a favor upon the Department. I am, sir, respectfully, & c., V. D. GROKER, [4.] Acting Assistant Adjutant- General. 861. Col. R. C. TRIGG, RICHMOND, November 11 1 Wytheville, Va.: Obey General H. Marshalls orders and wait for nothing. S. COOPER, [4.] Adjutant and Inspector Gener~ti. General S. COOPER, COLUMBUS, Ky., November 12, 1861. Adjutant and Inspector General, C. S. Army, Richmond, Va.: A large D ahlgren gun bursted. Lieutenant Snowden, C. S. infantry, Captain Keiter, and seven soldiers killed; several wounded. General Polk was stunnedclothes torn off, but will recover soon. Please coin- municate fact to Lieutenant Snowden, assistant commissary. E. D. BLAKE, [4.] Acting Assistant Adjutant- General. Hon. J. P. BENJAMIN, MEMPHIS, November 12, 1861. Secretary of War, Richmond: One regiment, 900 strong, left this morning for East Tennessee. Another will follow as soon as transportation can be procured. All as yet imperfectly armed. Would have moved sooner, but it was impossible to do so. Have written to-day. W. H. CARROLL, [4.] Brigadier- General. MEMPHIS AND CHARLESTON RAILROAD OFFICE, Maj. Gen. L. POLK, Memphis, November 12, 1861. Gommanding at Golumbus: DEAR SIR: The gun-boat Howard left New Orleans on Sunday morn- ing; will be here to-morrow night. She is compelled to have 2,00 Page 207 CRAP. LXTV.1 CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 207 pounds of cannon powder. Captain Hunt has telegraphed Wright at Nashville to send it, but gets no auswer. Cant you have it ordered down by passenger train ~ Commodore Hollius, whom I saw at New Orleans on Saturday. says that rifle powder will not do for cannon. It will burst nine out of ten after a few fires, if used in full charges. He accounts for it by its small grain packing so much closer and occupying so much less space in the gun and its exploding all at once. For instance, closely packed rifle powder to the same weight will not fill more than oiie half the space in the gnu that very coarse cannon powder will, and the cannon l)owder, he says, continues to burn clear to the muzzle of the gun, while the rifle powder all ignites instantly and the l)ortion of the gun (very small) immediately surrounding or coming in contact has to bear the force of the entire charge, while the cannon powder has double the length of gun, and hence double the strength of iron, to resist the force of the charge. There was a man here last night who seemed perfectly panic-stricken about Fort Pillow. He said there was only sixty-five small arms there for a regiment of men, and they greatly feared the enemy might seek the river at or below New Madrid and seize one of our boats and run down to Fort Pillow and take it in this defenseless I)osition. I ask your serious consideration to the fully arming and equipping Fort Pillow, and especially putting an able manin its command. There is by no means any security that the enemy will not attexnpt to take possession of the river below you on the Missouri shore, amid then the project of seizing one of our boats and taking the fort would be an easy job if it is in the condition described. Yours, truly, [4.] SAM. TATE. BRISTOL, TENN., Norember 13, 1861. General A. S. JOHN5TOIN, C S Army, Bowling (ireen, Ky.: SIR: Agreeable to instructions from the Adjutant-Generals Office, I have the honor to report that I have been assigned by the War Depart- ment (Special Orders, No. 216) to the command of troops to be stationed for the protection of the railroad from this point to Chattanooga, rebuild. ing bridges, and keeping open the communication. Stovalls battalion, Georgia Volunteers, is hourly expected from Richmond, and a regiment from General Braggs command is ordered to report at Chattanooga as the force for this service. The country traversed by the road is repre- sented as being in a very disturbed condition. Two bridges have been burned between this and Knoxville, one thence to Chattanooga. The telegraph wire is down. It is currently reported that Andrew Johnson was expected at Greeiieville, his place of residence, on Sunday, the 10th, and that his country friends assembled to greet him. They were dis- appointed. A force of Unionists, some 1,000 strong, is known to be assembled at Elizabethton, on the Watauga, about twenty-five miles from this place, and I propose to move against them at the earliest pos- sible moment. Another force is known to be encamped at Strawberry Plains, well on toward Knoxville. Passengers continue to traverse the road, the only difficulty being detention from the destruction of bridges at the points named. Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant, D. LEADBETTER, [4.] Colonel, Provisional Army, C. S Page 208 208 Sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. RICHMOND November 14, 1861. General L. P. WALKER, Huntsville, Ala.: 1 have sent to General A. S. Johnston 4,500 rifles, being half of all that we have received. J. P. BENJAMIN, [~~1 Acting Secretary of War. BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, Jacksborough, November 14, 1861. Col. W. S. Statham will march with his regiment immediately for Wartbnrg and strengthen that position under direction of an engineer officer to be sent with him. Colonel S[tathamn 1 will instruct his work- ing party to follow him as soon as the blockade is completed. He will in his progress procure information of true Southern men, and seize the arms of Union men known to be inimical to Confederate States, and cal)tnre their leaders believed to be dangerous men. He will report to me when necessary by express messengers any information of importance. F. K. ZOLLICOFFER, [~1 Brigadier. General, Comm an ding. SPECIAL ORDERS, ADJT. AND INSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 224. Richmond, November 16, 1861. * * * * * * III. The designation of the Fourth Regiment of Tennessee Volun. teers will hereafter be the Thirty-fourth Regiment of Tennessee Volun. teers. The designation of the Fifth Regiment of Tennessee Volunteers will hereafter be the Thirty-fifth Regiment of Tennessee Volunteers. The designation of the Eighth Regiment of Tennessee Volunteers will hereafter be the Thirty-eighth Regiment of Tennessee Volunteers. * * * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, [4.] Assistant Adjutant- General. MEMPHIS AND CHARLESTON RAILROAD OFFICE, Memphis, November 16, 1861. General L. POLK, Gommanding at Columbus, Ky.: DEAR SIR: I am satisfied, as I wrote you some days ago, that the great battle had to be fought in this valley; that a move was on foot to seize the river below you on the Missouri side and cut off your trans- portation, and take your boats and try and seize Fort Pillow. I am further satisfied this morning that there will be no fight in Westeru Missouri; that Hunter is returning his forces as rapidly as possible to Saint Louis from Springfield. The Iron Mountain and Cape Girardean forces, with those from Springfield, will all be sent as rapidly as possi- ble to Cairo, with all the gun-boats and transports they have, for renew- ing the attack on you and getting possession of the Mississippi River a Page 209 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 209 low as Memphis at least. Johnston, I presume, is fully posted, and you and he ill full conference. For our safety we look to you. The sub- marine batteries, I think, are the only security against iron gun-boats. Yours, truly, [4.] SAML TATE. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Raleigh, N. (J., November 16, 1861. Hon. J. P. BENJAMIN, Acting Secretary of War: SIR: The reports from East Tennessee indicate much trouble, but have no doubt received proper attention from your Department. For the last few days I have received numerous communications from the North Carolina counties bordering on East Tennessee asking assistance. I am gratified to state that but very little of the East Tennessee treason has crossed our line; but a border warfare must ensue, and unless our people are protected they may be somewhat affected either by the supe- riority of the traitors or their artful promises. That portion of North Carolina is now very weak and exposed from the large and undue por- tion of volunteers furnished from this section. So many have volun- teered from some of these counties that it is apprehended there will be a failur6 of support another year in a county which has heretofore yielded a surplus for other counties. There are now two regiments just organized, the one (Colonel Vances) from the extreme southwest, or Bun- combe, and another regiment just organized from the northwest, or Ashe County, adjoining the district of East Tennessee, where the Unionists are now embodied and threaten our State. I can arm these reglinents with some flint-and-steel muskets and some hunting rifles I have bought in the country. Shall 1 send these regiments to East Tennessee through these two points or station them near the line~ I cant anticipate what movement you will prefer; but from representations made to inc 1 must urge the employment of an armed force in or about Ashe County or in East Tennessee contiguons to it, and also on the State line or railroad in East Tennessee between our State and Knoxville. All the western border of North Carolina are demanding prompt assistance. This is all I can offer. When these regiments are there and equipped they can be easily transferred. I will here allude to the neces- sity of protecting the salt-works and lead mines bordering on this dis- affected region. 1 would be glad of immediate orders for the two regi- ments, or 1 must send theni as designated. Very respectfully, [4.] HENRY T. CLARK. MILLEDGEVILLIE, November 17, 1861. Hon. J. P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War: I presume you are fully informed of the hostile demonstrations of our enemies in East Tennessee. I think it very important that troops be thrown upon the frontier of Georgia at once, to assist in suppressing the rebellion. May I beg you to direct General Lee to arm Colonels Baileys and Littleflelds regiments with Enfleld rifles, and order them immediately to the line of Tennessee? Please answer. JOSEPH E. BROWN. [4.] 14 u BVOL LII, PT I Page 210 210 SW. VA., KY:) TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Raleigh, N (I., November 18, 1861. Hon. J. P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War: Siu: The troubles are greatly increasing in East Tennessee, and treason is becoming more bold and more common every day. It is assuming formidable proportions, and, if I am correctly informed, needs a large force, not only to put it down, but to prevent it from overrun- ning the adjoining country. The border counties of North Carolina are greatly excited, and have already received some visitations, and a few are disaffected. These counties have heretofore contributed largely (beyond their proportion) to our volunteers, so they are peculiarly defenseless, and in some counties not enough left to plant corn. These people are appealing for protection to me. I have two regiments, just formed, one from the northwest and one from the southwest extremity of our State, each asking that the regiment may be sent back to stay the fury of Tennessee treason. One of these regiments (Twenty-ninth, Colonel Vance) is from Bun- combe, and you have just ordered me to send it to Jonesborough, which is very well, but a little farther so, on the same railroad, might put them where they are eqnally as much needed. The other regiment has just come together, without drill or arms, but they ask to be sent back to their own homes to protect them; besides, their homes are in the midst of the salt-works and the provision mart. Now, we must have arms. Can you let me have 2,000 arms for a regiment of State troops for the war and for a twelve-months volunteer regiment~ Under- standing that a large lot had arrived, I make but a small requisition, and that for troops to go at once to East Tennessee or where most needed. We are now reduced to shotguns and unserviceable old muskets. If you can let me have arms for these two regiments (2,000), my rifle factory will then supply me with rifles. Very respectfully, HENRY T. CLARK. [4.] EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT Nashville, Tenn., Norember 18,1861. V. D. GRONER, Acting Assistant Adjutant- General, Richmond, Va.: SIR: The inclosed report from the adjutant generals office for the State, it is supposed, will supply the information sought for in your favor of the 11th instant. It is not known where or when the so-called Fortieth Tennessee Regiment, Provisional Army, was organized, or by whom commanded. Your letter does not state. It is probable that it is one of those mentioned in the report sent you. It is desirable that the numbers of tIme regiments should harmonize in the State and Comifederate Departments, a-nd with that view, as well as to give infor. mation, I transmit the within report. Respectfully, ISIIAM G. HARRIS Page 211 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRE~PONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 211 [Inclosure.] ADJUTANT-GENERALs OFFICE, Nashville, Tenn, November 18, 18G1. His Excellency ISHAM G. HARRIS, Governor, & c: In obedience to your order I report that it appears from the records of this office that the following are the numbers of the regiments of infantry organized by you and turned over to the service of the Con- federate States, viz: One hundred and fifty-fourth, Col. Preston Smith; First, Col. George Maney; Second, Col. J. Knox Walker; Third, Col. John C. Brown; Fourth, Col. R. P. Neely; Fifth, Col. XV. E Travis; Sixth, Col. XV. H. Stephens; Seventh, Col. Robert Hatton; Eighth, Col. Alfred S. Fulton; Ninth, Col. H. L. Douglass; Tenth, Col. A. Heiman; Eleventh, Col. James E. Rains Twelfth, Col. R. M. Russell; Thirteenth, Col. John V. Wright; Fourteenth, Col. XV. A. Forbes; Fifteenth, Col. Charles M. Carroll- Sixteenth, Col. John Th Savage; Seventeenth, Col. Taz. W. Newman; Eighteenth, Col - J. B. Palmer; Nineteenth, Col. D. H. Cummings; Twentieth, Col - Joel A. Battle; Twenty-first, CoL Ed. Pickett, jr.; Twenty-second, Col - T. J. Freeman; Twenty-third, Col. Mathias Martin; Twenty-fourth, Col. It. ID. Allison; Twenty-fifth, CoL S. S. Stanton; Twenty-sixth, Col - John M. Lillard; Twenty-seventh, Col C. H. Williams- Twenty-eighth, Col. John P. Murray; Twenty-ninth, Col. Samuel Powel; Thirtieth, Col. J. XV. Head; Thirty-first, Colonel Bradford; Thirty-second, Col. E. C. Cook. I remark about the One hundred and fifty-fourth Regiment, commanded by Col- onel Smith, that it was a corporate body previous to our present diffi- culties, and when the volunteer force was called for it preserved its corporate name and was so accepted. The officers of the regiments named above were commissioned by you, and hence the order of their numbers. There is no official record of any other regiment numbered by the State, yet the State has others in the Confederate service, viz: at Manassas, Colonel Bates, Colonel Turneys, and Colonel Vaughns, who went into said service early in May last; at Bowling Green, Col. B. J. Hills, who went into service about 1st of September. Under Brigadier-General Carroll, three regi- ments, commanded, as I am informed, by Colonels White, Looney, and Avery, recently formed and organized, and the regiment commanded by Colonel Churchwell, organized in the month of August. The pre- cise date upon which these regiments entered the Confederate service can only be ascertained froni the record at Richmond. The numbers nsed in the State organization accord with the date of organization, and determine the rank of the officers of the different regiments. If the War Department designates these unnumbered regiments as Ten- nessee regiments, then properly the next infantry regiment formed should be numbered as desired by the Secretary of War in his request, through favor of Acting Assistant Adjutant-General Groner of the 11th instant, and confusion therein be avoided. With these facts before the Department, the Secretary of War by special order can so arrange the numbers as to conform to those already adopted by the State, and avoid all questions of rank; and to preserve this harmony in future this office will report to the Department, in accordance with the favor of [Acting] Assistant Adjutant-General Groner referred to or any special order th Page 212 212 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. Secretary of War may make in regard thereto. No mention of the cav- alry battalions and artillery companies turned over to the Confederate Government is deemed necessary at this writing. Respectfully, W. C. WHITTilORNE, [4.] Assistant Adjutant. General. SPECIAL ORDERS, ~ ADJT. AND INSP. GENERALS OFFICE, INo. 228. Richmond, November 19, 1861. * * * * * * X. The designation of the Second Regiment Mississippi Volunteers, Col. T. J. Davidson commanding, will liereafter be the Twenty-third Regiment of Mississippi Volunteers. * * * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, [7.] Assistant Ae(jutant- General. BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, Col. W. B. WOOD, Wartburg, November 20, 1861. Knoxville: SIR: It is of the utmost importance that the ammunition ordered for Colonel Murrays regiment on the 10th, an assortment of tools ordered on the 15th, and pack.saddles ordered on the 10th, be received at the earliest possible hour. Captain Wright telegraphs me that before my order for the ammunition was received he bad, oti the 6th, nuder Gen- eral Johnstons order, sent Murray~s ammunition to Knoxville. I pre- sume there is some unaccountable detention on the way. I have not heard from the tools or the pack-saddles. Inclosed I send you copies of the letters ordering them. On the 18th I requested Major Camp- bell, at Knoxville, to send an intelligent man along the railroad tQ look for the ammunition, and bring it along with him without delay. I hope he has done so. Please send another intelligent and energetic man to Nashville to hurry up and bring along with him the tools and pack. sad(lles, particularly the former. I wish to advance into Kentucky, take a position and strengthen it, which I cannot do without the tools. In sending forward these stores it occurs to me it is best to draw for requisite guards from time to time upon your own battalion, until the whole, by companies or otherwise, is transferred to the field of active operations on the Cumberland. When General Carroll reaches Knox. ville and has had time and opportunity fully to comprehend the condi- tion of things on and beyond the railroad, and to make proper disposi- tion of his forces, I wish you to join your regiment under my immediate command. We have collected some guns, which I will, by empty com- missary wagons, in a few days, send to Knoxville for arming General ~ men. Very respectfully, F. K. ZOLLICOFFER, Brigadier- General. [7. Page 213 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 213 SPECIAL ORDERS, ~ ADJT. AND INSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 232. S Richmond, November 21, 1861. * * * * * * * XIII. Capt. W. W. Davis, Alabama Volunteers, will immediately proceed with his company to Pensacola, Fla., and report for duty to General Bragg, commanding. XIV. The Sam Cooper Rifles, Alabama Volunteers, will immediately proceed to Pensacola, Fla., and report to General Bragg for duty with Colonel Deas Twenty-second Regiment Alabama Volunteers. * * * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, [6.] Assistant Adjutant- General. CIRCULAR.] HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF PENSACOLA, Near Pensacola, lila., November 21, 1861. With a view of preserving to our cause the invaluable services of those soldiers he has so long commanded with pride, the general is desirous of reorganizing his old regiments for the war. The advantages to be obtained by the officers and men themselves are so apparent as to give the strongest hope of a large success. But few of us, if any, can contemplate retiring from the field to the inglorious occupation of idly witnessing the labors of our mothers, wives, and daughters nobly work- ing for their defenders in the field. To receive a discharge and go home temporarily, with a view of again enlisting in some other command, will subject the soldier to many annoyances he has probably not contem- plated. He will never a-gain be as well satisfied, mixed up, as he will be, with strangers and raw men, where he will have to go throngh all the drudgery of elementary instruction, so essential to them but irk- some to him. All his former acquaintances and esprit de corps will be lost, and he will be looked on as a raw recruit instead of a veteran of one campaign. Above all, he will lose his arms, for the army is now full of men eager to see him depart, that they may secure his gun with which to win a name. To return with an old shotgun, or perhaps with no gun at all, and wait a chance opportunity to secure what has been thrown away will be the fate of those who thus depart. Those who remain may confidently rely on soon being employed actively, if not here at some other point to which they can now be sent, their places being supplied by the new troops; and as far as he can do so, consist- ently with his sense of duty, the general will allow to those who re-enlist and require it an opportunity to visit home and arrange their business affairs. This indulgence will be granted to re-enlisted men in prefer- ence to all others. 1. Companies of not less than sixty-four privates (a larger number would be preferred), with their proper officers, non-commissioned officers, and musicians, will be received and mustered for the war, retaining their present arms and equipments, when they will be discharged from their old engagements and paid off to that date. 2. Such companies will be attached to their old regiments until a sufficient number is obtained to constitute a new regiment, when they will be aggregated, and field officers will be appointed by the President. In making these appointments he will, no doubt, be influenced by a known desire of a large majority of a regiment, ascertained through the proper militar Page 214 214 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. channel; but no elections will be held an(l no electioneering will be tolerated. Merit, not popularity, will control the selections. Such of his veterans as are willing to join him for the war the general will be proud to receive, as evincing a confidence he has labored to deserve. It may not be his good fortune to lead them against the enemy, but on any field and against any foe he will answer for their conduct, and pre- dict for them a brilliant victory or a glorious death. By command of Major-General Bragg: GEG. G. GARNER, [6.] Assistant Adjutant- General. WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Richmond, November 21, 1861. His Excellency HENRY T. CLARK, Raleigh, N. C.: SIR: Your letter of 18th instant, in regard to the con dition of some of the border counties of North Carolina, and asking for arms for two regiments, has been received. I regret that I am not able to fill your requisitions for arms. If we had them to spare they should cheerfnlly be placed at your disposal for the purpose designated. The supply just received by the Fingal is by no means so large as has been repre. sented. We received but 9,000, and these have been divided between Generals Lee and A. S. Johnston, in whose departments the danger of attack by superior force seemed most imminent. I can assure you, however, that arrangements have been made to ~ecure the safety of Eastern Tennessee and Northwestern North Carolina, and to crush out all treason iii that section, which will doubtless prove effectual. I am, respectfully, your obedient servamit, J. P. BENJAMIN, [~1 Acting Secretary of War. ORDNANCE OFFICE, Memphis, November 21, 1861. Major-General POLK, Columbus: SiR: Tho pressing importance of I he events now crowding npon us must be my apology for venturing to submit to your better judgment the following suggestions, which are made by inc in the absence of Colonel Hunt, who is now on a brief visit to his plantation below. The attack on Port Royal proves that vessels may and do sometimes pass the heaviest guns of our forts with impunity. The full broadsides of the Richmond were opened on the turtle in the fight with Commo- dore Hollins, and we learn the shot all glanced off. These are the les- sons of experience, and the conclusion is irresistible that what can be done on the seaboard can be done on tIme Mississippi. If wooden ves- sels can thus pass our heaviest guns and best trained gunners, surely we may conclude that iron-clad steamers can pass any battery we have on the Mississippi. The repulse at Belmont has taught the enemy that his only chance of success is in overwhelming numbers, and I fear they will not again make such a blunder as that made on the 7th instant. The next move [will] probably be mnade with a formidable force on both sides of the river and also by water. Our people here have full confi- dence in your ability to repel any attack from the Kentucky side if it b Page 215 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 215 unaccompanied with an attack by water but if it be a combined attack by land and water, can your men in the fort stand the shelling from the water side ~ If not, the question is, what can be done to repel the water attack ~ If the enemy should send down their iron-clad steamers it is questionable if you have any guns at Columbus to stop them, espe- cially if they pass in the night, and the destruction of Memphis would be worth more to them than the possession of Columbus. In the excite- ment of the moment your gunners would not hit them once in a hundred shots, an(1 you will be thusexhausting your powder without any advan- tage. You have ordered the rapid construction of submarine batteries, and this seems now to be regarded by all as our only means of resisting the invasion by water. At a large meeting of our citizens on yesterday I offered a resolution, which was unanimously adopted, and I inclose it with others.* It refers to tendering, you all the pecuniary aid that may be immediately required for the construction of these batteries. I did so because I am in a position here to know that the Government has no money here, and that men are getting tired of working without pay. One of our largest contractors for shell must stop in a few days unless he can get money from this Department, and of this there is no pros- pect now. You cannot expect work expedited without means to pay for it, and regarding, as I do, this submarine-battery plan as worth more for our defense than anything else now, I thought it politic to enlist our capitalists, so that you might have all the cash you could need for the construction of 500 or 1,000, if so many were required. The resolution was imprudently published in full in the Avalanche, thongh I do not know that any harni can result from it. If the river can be lined with these batteries above Columbus and one or two boats destroyed, it would most likely stop the invasion by water, as no meu are willing to rush upon an unseen, yet known, danger. If the invasion by water is stoJ)ped, the invasion on the Missouri side is prevemited, for 110 column would then move down upon New Madrid, wii~h the cer- tainty of being cut off from Cairo by a heavy force thence across the river from Columbus. If we do not prevent this descent by water it will be accompanied by one on the Missouri, as well as the Kentucky side; and New Madrid being seized, Columbus is cut off from the South by water. If these iron boats can pass us, New Madrid is not only seized, but held, and Memphis is open to attack by shot and shell on river and by a land force advancing with the gun-boats on the Arkan- sas side. With Memphis goes the valley, so far as the towns and plan- tations on the river are concerned - The interests involved here are far, very far greater than any on the Atlantic seaboard. All the New Eng- land States, New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, have access to the ocean, and they do not feel the damages to their commerce and trade which the great Northwest feels in being cut off from the Gulf. Hence the latter will make most desperate efforts to cut their way down this river. On the other. hand, where there is one life and $1 involved on our side in the triumph of the enemy on the Potomac, there are five lives and $5 in their triumph down this valley. I allude to these things to show that we may expect our foe to use extraordinary exertions to get control of tLe river and that every plan should be promptly adopted to prevent it. If fifty batteries will do good, 500 or 1,000 will do more good still, and we are not in a position to count their cost now. If you need aid in finishing 100 in a day instead of twenty our men say you shall have it; and with such assurance, the force now at work upon them can be readily -doubled. Allow me, general, to make Not found Page 216 216~ SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. another suggestion. We are preparing some of them to go off by elec- tricity. Would it not be wise to have a dozen or more small ones made and test them in the river here ~ It might be that we should fail in firing them by electricity, and it seems to me that prudence would dic- tate an experiment here before sinking them at Columbus. It could soon be (lone. Again, it may be that there is a certain depth of water beyond which a charge of 100 pounds of powder would not be very destructive in its explosion. Then, again, we are making some to fire with the cap and hammer, after Doctor Sairuders plan, and it might be used to test these too. I beg you will pardon me if in appearance, even, I may seem to be obtruding my opinions upon you, but there can be no harm in your having them before you. Iu the absence of Colonel Hunt I shall most cheerfully endeavor to fulfill any instructions you may think proper to give upon this subject if you deem it best to increase the force at work upon them or to have any experiment made with them in the river here. Respectfully, J. T. TREZEVANT, [7.] Acting Ordnance Officer. HEADQUARTERS, AS~pringfteld, Mo., November 21, 1861. Col. W. W. MACKALL: From information gleaned from letters taken from the mails and other sources, I am satisfied it is the intention of the Federal Govern- ment to throw into Kentucky 20,000 of the troops taken from this country, and to garrison Sedalia, liolla, and Jefferson City with the remaining portion. BEN. MoCULLOCH, [7.] Brigadier. General, Commanding. SPECIAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT No. 1, No. 25. New Orleans, November 21, 1861. * * * * * * * The Thirteenth Louisiana Regiment, Col. H. L. Gibson, and the Third Mississippi, Col. J. B. Deason, will hold themselves in readiness to pro- ceed at an hours notice to Columbus, Ky. If not already supplied, they will make requisitions upon the proper department for 100 rounds of ammunition per man, 10 days~ rations, and such camp and garrison equipage as may be necessary to fit them for the field. The surgeons of both regiments will provide themselves by requisitions with medical supplies for three months. * * * * * * * By command of Major-General Lovell: JNO. G. DEVEREUX, [7.] Lieutenant and Acting Assistant Adjutant- General. BR1GADE HEADQUARTERS, Jamestown, November 22, 1861. Col. W. B. WooD, Knoxville: SIR: I have received no dispatches from Knoxville since I left, and do not know whether General Carroll has arrived. I sent back cap- tured prisoners and guns from Wartburg. It is very important th Page 217 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 217 trenching tools and pack-saddles for which I wrote to Maj. V. K. Ste- venson, assistant quartermaster-general, at Nashville, on the 10th, should overtake me soon. Please press it upon his attention. I have yet heard nothing of the ammnuition which Captain White says was shipped to Knoxville on the 0th for Colonel Murray, who is really out of ammunition. Colonel Stanton informs me he needs 50,000 musket caps. Can they be forwarded from Knoxville? Give me the current events connected with your expedition against the Tories. Very respectfully, ~. K. ZOLLICOFFER~, [7.] Brigadier- General. OBA~NoNYILLE, November 22, 1861. S. COOPER, Adjutant- General, Richmond: The enemy commenced firing on us at 9.30 this morning. We are slowly and cautiously returning the fire. [6.] BIIAXTON BRAGG. OBANNONVILLE, November 22, 18611.30 p. m. S. CooPER: Bombardment continues heavy from the enemy, but his firing is wild. Ours slow and deliberate. Nobody hurt and no damage done. Niagara and Colorado firing on Mckee. No other ships here. [6.] BRAXTON BRAGG. OBANNoNYJLLE, November 22, 1861. General S. COOPER: Darkness and a rain-storm have stopped the firing. Enemys fire not effective. Our casualties this evening, 4 killed and 10 wounded, mostly at Fort Mckee. [6.] BRAXTON BRAGG. RICHMOND, November 22, 1861. Maj. Gen. BRAXTON BRA~, Pensacola: DEAR GENERAL: Your telegrams received and submitted. All here are looking to you with hope and confidence, and with earnest wishes that yourself and command may be spared in this conflict for other fields of action. S. COOPER, [6.] Adjutant and Inspector General. BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, Hopkinsville, Ky., November 23, 1861. Col. W. W MACxALL, Asst. Adjt. Gem, Department No. 1, Bowling Green, Ky.: COLONEL: I assnmed command of the forces at this place on the 19th instant. I hope I shall be able at the end of the week to rende Page 218 218 S~. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP LXIV an intelligible report of the strength and condition of the command. It will be by no means favorable as to its condition. I have in all here for duty about 1,800 infantry, 5~0 mounted men, and 140 artillery. The infantry and cavalry are variously and badly armed; the artil- lery companies new and undisciplined. The Cumberland artillery has three captains assigned to them by order. The Kentucky battalion has a lieutenant-colonel and major assigned by order. Several compa- nies of the latter have less than the new order legal number. ~ine companies ~re reported here. One company, as appears by the inclosed colnmnnication* of Lieutenant-Colonel White, is absent on duty. If the general will order it to this place I can order elections for field officers, -if the general advises this as the proper course, or ask the President to appoint. The organization is anomaloussix companies for the war and four for twelve months, as reported. Colonel Forrest arrived with six companies of his cavalry last evening. He reports 400 for duty. I shall send him to the front to drive back the cavalry of the enemy, who are sending large parties through-the country to our front and nearly to the border of this county. A force of the enemy, estimated at 500 (reputed at 1,000), landed at Eddyville two days since. Other troops are reported as at IJniontown, and thus with the forces at Rumsey and Ashbysburg, they may contemplate a descent upon us. If truly reported, they may have with them at Ashbysburg some 4,000 to 5,0)0. I want no assistance in defense, but considering the manner they are posted and the distance from support I do not deem it pru- deiit to advance on either point with infantry. I would send a force to Eddyville, but do not think the enemy contemplate occupying that place, and, as I have not been informed of the force at I)over, I pre- sume there is no danger to them. Much damage is being done to the property of our numerous friends in the country north of this. Many of them are driven from their homes. I shall start Coloiiel Forrests command to give them what protection he may from the marauding parties of Jackson. The troops here need drili officers. I hope the general can send at least six for the infantry. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, CHAS. CLARK, [7.J Brigadier- General, Commanding. ORDNANCE OFFICE Nashville Col. W. W. MAUKALL, , Tenn., November 23, iSGi. Assistant Adjutant-General, Bowling Green, Ky.: SIR: We have here the 3,560 Enfield rifles, with 112,000 rounds of ammunition, sent from Savannah. The accouterments, & c., complete, are expected here to-morrow. More rifles are on the way from Savannah, with equipments complete. The Governor says he is to have some of the guns. You will please advise me what number, & c., as also how the shotguns, & c.; received are to be disposed ofthose brought in by the people of the country around here. I am about out of lead and have no buckshot for the shotguns. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, M. II. WRIGHT, [7.J First Lieutenant, Artillery and Ordnance, C. S. Army. Not found Page 219 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 219 OBANNoNYILLE, November 23, 186110.30 a. m. General S. CoOPER: The enemy has just reopened fire. We respond slowly. Their fire is improved, and is very damaging to Fort McR7ee. We will probably have to yield it, but will struggle to hold out. Other batteries all intact. BRAXTON BRAGG. [6.] OBANNoNYILLE, November 23, 18616 p. m. General S. COOPER: Bombardment just ceased. Cohtinued through the day very deliber- ately on both sides. We kept the ships at a respectful distance, and Mckee has not suffered. Yesterdays damages mostly repaired. Col- onel Villepigne is wounded in the arm by fragment of a shell, but main- talus his post maufully in command at Mckee. Town of Warrington now on fire from hot shot. Navy-yard not much damaged. Not a casualty for the day. Our troops in the highest spirits. Our difficulty is to restrain them. BRAXTON BRAGG. [6.] RICHMOND, November 2L 1861. General BRAXTON BnAGG, Penscwola: Your dispatch to General S. Cooper received. We are greatly cheered by your steady and successful defense up to the present time. Lient. a , een appointed L. Powell, of the Navy, first-class artillerist has b colonel in Provisional Army, and ordered to report to you that you may assign him to command of one of the forts at Mobile. J. P. BENJAMIN, [6.] & cretary of War. MORRISTOWN, November 24, 1861. General A. S. JOHNSTON: I leave for Cumberland Gap to-day to assume command of Eastern District of Kentucky, to which I have been assigned by War Depart- ment. What are limits of the district, and what forces are nuder my command ~ Have reported to you by letter today. Telegraphic dis- patches will reach me directed to this place.* G. B. CRITTENDEN, [7.] Major- General. HEADQUARTERS, Near Phillips, November 25, 1861. General A. S. JOHNSTON: DEAR SIR: We are now within ten miles of Monticello; will reach there by noon. General Zollicoffer is fifteen miles in niy rear We will concentrate at Monticello on the 26th. There are no Federals nearer For reply, see Mackall to Crittenden, Vol. VII, P. 706 Page 220 220 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. than Columbia. We have captured many Lincoln guns since J wrote you last. My command needs yet 150 muskets with bayonets. Could you furnish us. If so, direct Captain Wright at Nashville to furnish us. I will write you soon again. I am, yours, in haste, JOHN P. MURRAY, [7.] Colonel Twenty-eighth Regiment. S. COOPER, OBANNONYJLLE, November 25, 1861i p. m. Adjutant- General, Richmond: The enemy seems to be satisfied and does not reopen fire. They have fired into our hospital, but my sick had all been removed. Many hot shot and innumerable shells thrown into navy-yard, with comparatively little damage. BRAXTON BRAGG. [6.1 General S. COOPER, OBANNOMTILLE, November 25, 18615 p. m. Adjutant- General: All continues quiet, the enemys ships keeping at safe distance. BRAXTON BRAGG. [6.j His Excellency ISHAM G. HARRIS, MORMoND, November 25, 1861. Nashville, Tenn.: SIR: Your favor of the 18th instant came duly to hand. The regi- ments enumerated in the report inclosed have been received as they were numbered by your State. The Fortieth Regiment was organized by the Confederate States. It is commanded by Col. L. M. Walker, and is composed of companies from Alabama, Arkansas, and Tennessee. Col. W. being from your State, as well as a majority of the companies, by direction of the Secretary of War it was styled the Fortieth Ten. nessee Regiment, and is known as a provisional regiment, in contra- distinction to those organized by your State, which are known as volun- teer regiments. The other regiments spoken of in your letter were regularly received into C. S. service, and will be numbered from Thirty- four to Forty. The next regiment you organize you will please style the Thirty-third, after which you can commence with Forty-one. It would be impossible to determine the rank of the officers by the num- ber of the regiments, for should a colonel resign, the person elected would be the juniol7 colonel, and his regiment might be the First, in which case under the above rule the designation of the regiment would have to be changed at every promotion. As it causes some incouven- ience to regiments to change their numbers after being mustered into service, we are thus solicitous to have them correct at the start. Col. P. Turneys, CoL W. B. Bates, and Col. J. C. Vaughns regiments, num- bered, respectively, the First, Second, and Third, Provisional Army, have been in service so long it is deemed impolitic to change their des- ignation. The regiments under Col. M. R. lull, R. F. Looney, & c., wil Page 221 CHAP. LXIY.1 CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 221 be provided for in our numbers from Thirty-four to Forty. I will report the field officers of these regiments in a few days. I am, sir, respectfully, & c.., V. D. GRONER 7.] Acting Assistant Adjutant- General. HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, WESTERN DEPARTMENT, Columbus, K November 25, 1861. Governor HARRIS, Nashville, Teun.: Fifteen thousand re-enforcements of the enemy had reached Cairo~ and others were at Saint Louis, awaiting transportation, on Saturday. They commenced returning up the river to-day. We have iiiformatiou that General Price is advancing on Saint Louis. This explains the counter-movement, and I think it will prevent the threatened movement on this place until the winter will close in. We have about completed our defenses, making this place impregnable when sustained with gun- boat fleet and with forces near Union City. You may now take time to organize your forces, gather your arms, and largely increase the volun- teer forces, holding over the country the call for the militia. Many men will volunteer to avoid the odium of being forced into the service. I deem this important information for you to possess, that you may shape your course accordingly. GID. J. PiLLOW, [7.] Brigadier- General, C. & Army, Commanding. ENGINEERS OFFICE, WESTERN DEPARTMENT, Nashville, November 26, 1861. Lient. Col. W. W. MACKALL, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Hdqrs. Western Dept., Bowling Green, Ky.: SIR: Your telegraph in reference to the batteries at Clarksville just received. I made special inquiries when at Clarksville about the high- water mark, and from information there obtained I was satisfied that the site selected for the battery at the mouth of Red River was a few feet above highest water, although a small depression in rear of it has had a few inches of water over it at the time of extraordinary rise in the i-iver, say once in seven years. The rampart is raised three feet and a half above the natural ground. I will write at once to Mr. E. B. Sayers civil engineer in charge of the works being constructed at Clarks~.Tille, and direct him to make further inquiries and report at once to me. Your obedient servant, J. F. GILMER, [7.] Major and Chief Engineer, Western Department. OBANNONVILLE, November 26, 18616 p. in. General S. COOPER, Adjutant-General, Richmond: The enemys ships keep at a respectful distance, and Fort Pickens preserves an ominous silence. We are ready at all points. BRAXTOK BRAGG. [6. Page 222 222 Sw. VA., KY., TENN.~ MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. NEW ORLEANS, Novern~~r 27, 1861. Hon. J. P. BENJAMIN: I have sent the Thirteenth Louisiana and Third Mississippi Regi. ments, 1,600 men, to Columbus. [7.] M. LOVELL. BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, Thirteen Miles west of Monticello, November 28, 1861. Col. W. S. STATHAM: SIR: A note from Colonel Stanton iiiforms me that he has not yet crossed the river, and he has a rumor that the enemy are re-enforced at Camp Goggin. When your regiment joins, and Colonel Murrays, you will assume command of the whole. Possess yourself of all the infor- mation they can communicate, and act as your judgment may direct with reference to the expedition proposed by Colonel Stanton. Very respectfully, F. K. ZOLLICOFFER, Brigadier- Ueneral. P. S.We will move up to Monticello to-morrow. [7.] JACKSON, [November] 28, 1861. Maj. Gen. A. SIDNEY JOHNSTON: I have ordered troops to assemble at Corinth and Grenada. Consid- erable armed force now at these rendezvous. Order supplies for them. I am arming the companies called out under your first requisition as fast as possible. [7.] JOHN J. PETTUS. MEMPHIS AND CHARLESTON RAILROAD OFFICE, Memphis, November 30, 1861. E. W. MUNFORD, Esq., (On General Johnstons staff,) Bowling Ureen, Ky.: DEAR SIR: Permit me to say to you that our people are very much exercised about General Pillow being in supreme command at Colum- bus. His daily sensation dispatches keep the country in alarm and commotion. If General Polk is not well enough to take command, I pray General Johnston will put some man of more prudence there. No one here has the slightest confidence in Pillows judgment or ability, and if the important command of defending this river is to be left to him, we feel perfectly in the enemys power. I know General Johnston has so much to do and think about, he may not feel as we do about this Columbus command. My own opinion is the main attack will be made there, and that soon. Their iron gun-boats can pass any battery om shore, and we do feel uneasy here and are doing all in our powei to aid our army. The battle of Belmont has not in the least changed public opin- ion about Pillow. Your friend, [7.] SAM. TATE Page 223 LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 223 IIDQRS. SECOND Dim, CENTRAL ARMY OF KENTUCKY, Bowling Green, December 1, 18G1. Col. W. W. MACKALL, Assistant Adjutant-General, Bou~ing Green, Ky.: SIR: I respectfully suggest the following organization of the Ken- tucky troops: First Brigade to be composed of the Second (Hansons), Fourth (Trabues), and Fifth (hunts) Regiments, to be commanded by Brig. Gen. J. C. Breckinridge. Second Brigade to be composed of the Third (Thompsons), Sixth (Lewis), and Seventh (Burnetts) Regiments. I would suggest as commander of the Second Brigade the appointment of Col. John Preston as brigadier-general. Should no appointment of brigadier be made, I would suggest that Hanson, the senior colonel, be exchanged with Thompson into the Second Brigade. Respectfully, your obedient servant, S. B. BUCKNER, [7.] Brigadier-General, Commanding & ?cond Division. BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, Mill ~jprings, December 1, 1861. Col. W.S. Statham and Major Landis will march with their commands to-night so as to reach the position opposite camp of the enemy near Waitsborough before day to-morrow morning. Titey will take with them and give support to four pieces of Captain Rutledges artillery, under command of Lieutenants Falconnet and Wheeler. Lieutenant- Colonel McClellan with three companies of his battalion, and Captain Rowan with his squadron, will be in reserve near the position by sunup. By order of Brigadier-General Zollicoffer: P. B. LEE, [7.] Assistant A4jutant- General. COLUMBUS, KY., December 1, 1861. This is a war of defense (on our part). This defense is reduced to a defense of the highways of commerce and travel. The Mississippi is the most important of all, cutting, as it does, three States and part of another from the main body. The army under General Polk has for its object the holding of the river, not that of conquest, unless the con- quest attempted would insure the safety of the river and defeat, not involve, its loss. General Polks army cannot afford a defeat. All our efforts should be directed to the holding our advanced position at Columbus. To do this no time should be lost in finishing, arming, and manning the works at New Madrid and Island No. 10; also securing the defense of some point on the Paducah Railroad, and, lastly, a small force should hold Hickman, Ky. Respectfully submitted. J. P. McCOWN, Brigadier- General. I fully concur with the above. B. F. CHEATHAM, Brigadier- General, C. ~ Army. [7. Page 224 224 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. PLA., & N. GA. [CnAP. LXIV. Maj. Gen. L. POLK, COLUMBUS, KY., December 2, 1861. Commanding First Division, Western Department: GENERAL: Having been requested by you to put in writing the opinion I gave you yesterday with reference to the proposition made by Brigadier-General Pillow of an attack upon Cairo and the gun-boats now receivi~ig their armament, I have the honor of submitting the fol- lowing: The movement under consideration can only be accomplished by an attack upon the boats of the enemy by our river navy, and at the same moment by a demonstration upon Paducah, ilolts fort [Fort bit], and Birds PoInt; 4,000 men are required for the false attack upon Paducah, 3,500 for that upon bolts fort [Fort bolt], and the same num- ber for that upon Birds Point; iii all, 11,000 men. The whole force under your command being 14,000 men, it would only leave 3,000 men for the defense of Columbus. This force is insufficient to hold this place should an attack be made upon it during the expedition. Should the projected expedition fail and our troops be defeated, Columbus with its large supplies, ordnance, & c., might probably fall into the hands of the enemy, leaving the valley of the Mississippi without protection, and the cities of Memphis, Yicksburg, Natchez, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans seriously threatened. 1 conceive that the Confederate States Government and the whole population of the valley look upon you as the guardian of the modern Thermopyl~ of the South. This post of honor must not be abandoned and the cause we defend jeopardized by any movement whose success is not perfectly sure. We cannot afford at the present time to be defeated. Should it prove successful, I frilly under. stand the immense advantages of the proposed expeditioncapture or destruction of the enemys gun-boats, capture of the stronghold from which they may pounce upon ~ur river cities and destroy them, are immense results, for which I would be willing to sacrifice many valu- able lives should it be demonstrated beforehand that such an expedi- tion might offer chances of success. Far from it. I contend that it is impracticable with, the forces at our disposal and the enemys means of resistance. Cairo is a strongly fortified point, defended by numerous batteries and a force of 20,000 men; bolts fort [Fort bolt] flanks the fire of the citys batteries, and three well-armed gun-boats, ready at any moment, day and night, add much to the efficiency of the defense. The force at bolts fort [Fort bolt] is estimated at 3,500 men; that at Paducah at 10,000; that at Birds Point at 3,500. Therefore, with a force of 11,000 men, and a few river boats liable to be disabled by a single shot, it is proposed that we should attack a strongly intrenched force of 34,500 men. The risks attending such au expedition are too great, and the lives of our volunteers too valuable to be recklessly sac- rificed. I now admit, for the sake of argument, that we should cap- ture the boats and occupy Cairo, Birds Point, and Paducali. Now the military qaestion becomes a political one; our defensive policy becoming an aggressive one, the war will put on another face. Hundreds of men will volunteer from the Western, Northern, and Eastern States to wrench from us the possession of their soil. It is not my mission to examine this question. I here merely allude to it to show its vital importance. Respectfully, your obedient servant, J. TRUDEAU, [74 Brigadier- Uenerai Page 225 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 225 COLUMBUS, Ky., December 2, 1861. iRemarks made for the defeiise of the river the same evening. I repeat it, the country expects us to hold Columbus against all the forces the enemy will shortly bring to captnre it. More men are needed to re-enforce onr army; the gunners must be drilled to artillery prac- tice; the smaller calibers must be abandoned, as they can make no impression upon the enemys iron-clad gun-boats, and 128-pounders throwing solid spherical shot mounted in their place. I do not hesitate to say that four 128-poundersthree upon the bluffs on this side, one upon the Missouri side at the point in a small Maximilian towerand one 15-inch gun would alone sink any iron-clad vessel. To this arma- ment I would add, in order to prevent the rapid movements of the steamers, especially at night, the stockade of the river to be estab- lished so as to keep the fleet under the fire of our heavy guns. A few torpedoes in the river would add much to the efficiency of the defense. With those means I do not feel the least hesitation in saying, and no military man who has seen service will contradict me, that the descent of the river would be rendered impossible, and such is our object. Respectfully, your obedient servant, J. TRUDEAU, [7.] Brigadier- General. HEADOUARTERS FIRST BRIc-ADE, THIRD DivisiOx, Columbus, Ky., December 2, 1861. Maj. Gen. L. POLK, Commanding Western Department: GENERAL: Having been present at the reading of a proposition sub- mitted to your consideration by General Pillow, in which it was pro- posed that within the next five days a forward movement with the troops now under ycur comnmand at this place, assisted by the naval force under Commodore llollin~, should be made toward Cairo for the purpose of capturing that place and destroying the enemys property in and about the same, and it having been intimated to me that the opinion of field officers under your command would not be objection- able, I take the liberty of thus obtruding mine upon your notice. With all due respect for and confidence in the gallantry and judgment of General Pillow, my opinion is adverse to the proposed movement. Regarding as I do the holding of this place as of the first and most vital importance, being, as it undoubtedly is, the key to the Mississippi Valley, with all its wealth and military resources, I deem any move- ment which would materially weaken this point, or jeopardize our great interests here, as most objectionable. That 12,000 men (the num- ber proposed), distributed as they must necessarily be for the object contemplated, is, in my opinion, considering the distance, bad roads, and to them severe weather, a number altogether insufficient for a suc- cessful attack on places as strongly situated, while it would leave .this point utterly untenable against any vigorous attack from the enemy, and would, in the event of failure, leave our already scanty force in a very unreliable condition to repulse the heavy force we have every rea- son to~behieve would be precipitated upomi us by the enemy. Supposing the expedition successful, our loss, which we cannot well replace, would be large; and while we could scarcely expect to hold those places under ordinary circumstances, we would have inaugurated what the enemy with great plausibility would denominate an aggressive war, thus 15 R RYOL LII, PT I Page 226 226 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. (CHAP. LXIV. placing the strongest possible argument in his power with which to stimulate their masses into enthusiastic and energetic action against us. Their leaders, now fast falling into disrepute, would talk largely and iAteously of citizens murdered, women ravished, dwellings burned, and life and property ruthlessly and wantonly destroyed by these Southern invader~ on Northern soil. Believe me, sir, when I wish to impress these things on your mind, that they arc my solemn convictions, and that appeals made to a brave people, backed by such arguments, would be irresistible; that a whole population containing 2,000,000 or 3,000,000 of people who are now looking on this war at least in a doubtful light, and who have up to this time furnished, in comparison to their means, but a meager support to our enemy, would at once throw off this garb of quasi neutrality and rush to arms to repel their invaders. Once in arms and organized, they will under any circum- stances prove troublesome customers, but flushed with victory and led on by bold, bad men, God only knows where their course down the valley of the Mississippi would or could be stopped. 1 hope the gen- eral will pardon these crude opinions characteristically offered, and believe me, Yery respectfully, his obedient servant, S. F. MARKS, [7.] Colonel, Commanding First Brigade, Third Division. ADJUTANT-GENERALS OFFICE, Nashville, Tenn., December 2, 1861. Col. W. W. MACKALL, Assistant A djut ant- General: SIR: For the information of the commanding general I am instructed to inform you that Governor Harris has ordered the new volunteers to rendezvous at Camp TrousdaJe until 5,000 troops are assembled there; then the new camp to be selected by Major Gilmer will be occupied. Provisions have been forwarded to Camp Trousdale with a view to sup- ply the number of men indicated. The winter quarters at this camp may also be used for the accommodation of these troops; and as many as 7,000 might perhaps be then comfortably provided for. About twenty companies, in addition to those at Camp Trousdale, are under orders for that place. The reasons why the Governor has thus ordered the volunteers to Trousdale are, first, on account of facilities for their accommodation there, and secondly, because at the time the order was given no other place for an encampment had been even examined. Yours, truly, B. H. JOHNSON, [7.] Acting Brigadier- General. ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERALS OFFIcE, Richmond, December 4, 1861. Maj. Gen. BRAXTON BRAGG, Commanding, & c., Pensacola, Fla.: GENERAL: The Secretary of War directs that you be informed with regard to your indorseinent on the communication of Lieutenant- Colonel Loomis of the 19th ultimo, forwarded by you, that the Govern- ment will gladly accept all troops offered for the war, notwithstandin Page 227 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETCCONFEDERATE. 227 the deficiency of arms referred to. General Withers has been author- ized by the Secretary to aid Lieutenant-Colonel Loomis in completing his regiment. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. II. CHILTON, [6j Assistant Adjutant- General. RICHMOND, December 4, 1861. General POLK, Columbus, Ky.: GENERAL: I suppose my letters to Lieutenant Brown (written, one about the 3(1, the other some two weeks ago) on submarine batteries have miscarried. Assuming that you would want them for the river at Columbus, I have been pushing them forward. I shall have by the end of this week six all ready to be filled and planted. An unexpected run of good luck has enabled me to do this. I have twenty-five under way, all of which, if, in spite of the drift-wood and other habits of the Mississippi, they can be made to answer for that river, are at your service. I wrote Brown a full description of them. He will know how to plant them. If I can find time, when they are ready I should like to come myself and see that everything is right. The tanks, such as I have already sent to Memphis as samples for Lieutenant Brown, will, I fear, have to go as freight through Georgia, on account of our burnt bridges. Still, I suppose that these tanks may be sent from here sooner than they can be made in Memphis. At any rate, I shall hurry them on with all dispatch unless you direct otherwise. Yours, very truly, M. F. MAURY. [7.] KNOXVILLE, EAST TENN., December 4, 1861. Hon. J. P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War, kiehmond: DEAR SIR: With great respect for you individually, and an earnest desire to serve the Confederate States to the extent of our ability with our lives and our property, we notify you that unless certain unbear- able evils are at once corrected we shall cease to run any trains on the roads of which we are the presidents on and after the 15th instant. We are forced to this position from considerations entirely unavoidable on our part. The military, influenced by no more patriotism than our- selves, have for days past, and without the least necessity for so doing, taken possession of the running of our trains, ordering them out in the face of incoming trains, thereby endangering the lives of all on board and hazarding the property of individuals and the company. More- over, the Quartermaster-General has assumed to dictate tariffs for Gov- eminent freights at such ruinous rates as will in a short time break down every railroad company in the South. Without boring you with a detail of the multitude of good and sufficient reasons for the course we adopt? we will just say that while we are held responsible for the lives and property in our charge in the management of these roads, the movements of the trains and the control of the finances of the company are ordered by men incompetent, irresponsible, and recklessmaybe very good military men, but certainly very bad railroad managers. W Page 228 228 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CUAP. LXIV. are unwilling longer to assume such responsibilities or to sacrifice what- ever reputation we may have by continuing identified with roads so controlled. For eight months iiow we have labored night and (lay (with the halter of the Lincoluites around our necks and our lives aid proJ)erty in jeopardy) as good, true, and loyal citizens for the Confeder- ate States, and do not consider that we are any the less loyal now in placing these responsibilities in your hands. The burnt bridges are in a very forward state of rebuilding, and will give others you may send here to take our places but little trouble to complete. We also advise you to send here good engine runners and machinists. Our men can- not be kept here much longer in present condition of things, feeling that their lives are constantly in the hands of an inconsiderate and reckless soldiery. Respectfully, yours, C. WALLACE, President East Tennessee and Georgia Railroad Company. JNO. P. BRANNEII, [7.] President East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad Company. SPECIAL ORDERS, ADJT. ANT) liSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 256. * Richmond, December 5, 1861. * * * * * * XT. Capt. Joshua Morse will proceed with his company of volun- teers from Memphis, Teiin., to Mobile, Ala., with as little delay as prac- ticable, taking along the arms and accouterments of the company. He will report for duty to Colonel Buck, of whose Twenty-fourth Regi- ment Alabama Volunteers his company will form a part. The coin- pany arms will be repaired at Mobile or at Mount Vernon Arsenal, as may be most convenient. By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITIIEIRS, [6.] Assistant Adjutant- General. HEADQUARTERS, Knoxville December 5 18 General A. S. JOHNSTON, , , 61. Commanding AS~econd Division, Bowling Green, Ky.: GENERAL: I am just in receipt of a dispatch from Hon. J. P. Benja- min, stating that all guns at the different points in the West are at your disposal. For six weeks I have labored unceasingly to have my corn- mnand armed, and have in the time managed to procure only about 400 flintlock muskets, rifles, and double-barrel shotguns. The insurrec- tion in this part of Tennessee demands a prompt and vigorous policy. I have the men, but no arms. All my ai~med force are now in Cocke County, where some 400 or 500 Unionists are in arms against the Gov- ernment. An armed force is needed to disperse a like number of traitors in Hancock County, who are throwing up intrenchmeuts three miles west of Sneedville, and are in communicatPin with Keiitucky. You can readily perceive the great need my command is in for armns. To some extent it is becoming somewhat (lemoralized, solely, too, from not having them. I have at Nashville, Pulaski, Murfreesborough, and Memphis some 2,000 rifles, sent to those places to be repaired, which, when finished, I will (if you should [furnish J others) turn over to you, or se~ud tliose back which you may furnish me. If my troops could ge Page 229 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 229 armed, in a few weeks they would be ready to move to some other field of operation. East Tennessee would demand but a passing notice. As it is, however, I am compelled to disperse one force of traitors at a time. There are under my command about 4,000 troops, and companies daily tendering their services. An effective force of from 5,000 to 6,000 could be moved to any point in a short time if arms could be had, Please give this your immediate attention. I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, W. H. CARROLL, [7.] Brigadier-General, C. S. Army. BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, ffopkinsvilie, Ky., December 5, 1861. Lieut. Col. W. W. MACKALL: COLONEL: Colonel Forrest has just returned from a ten-days scout with 300 meu to the front as far as Morganfield, Union County. No forces were heard of (of the enemy) this side Green River except 415 of Jacksons cavalry, who were within ten miles of him, but did not follow. His written report is not yet received. By a prisoner to the enemy, who escaped from Calhoun, I have the following of the strength of the enemy when their forces from Ashbysburg, & c., were concen- trated there to resist the supposed movement of General Breckinridge. From the character of the man and the manner of obtaining his infor. ination I believe it to be reliable. Mdllenrys infantry regiment, 630, nearly all for duty; Shackelfords infantry regiment, 710, 500 for duty; Hawkins infantry regiment, 700; Crufts infantry regiment, 800 (or 000), nearly all for duty; Jacksons cavalry, 550; battery of four field guns. They were all concentrated at Calhoun a week ago. They may have recrossed since. Colonel Forrest brought in two prisoners of war (acknowledged). Where shall Ji send them ~? Very respectfully, your obedient servant, CHAS. CLARK, [7.] Brigadier- General, Comm anding at IJiopkinsville. NASHVILLE, J)ecember 5, 1861. General A. S. JOHNSTON: This will be presented by Captains Sha~ and Lawson~ who visit you for the purpose of conferring about the propriety of constructing a gun-boat for the Cumberland River, or, rather, to convert a steam- boat to that use. Of the efficacy of such a means of defense we are not competent to decide, but we are persuaded that it would be of great utility, and from the present aspect of affairs we are strongly convinced that this river needs every means of defense practicable. These gen- tlemen have had a good deal of experience in steam-boating, but what familiarity they have with this species of craft we do not know. Respectfully, NEILL S. BROWN. W. G. HARDING. LFirst indorsement.] I am deeply impressed with the importance of Confederate gun-boats on both the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers, amid shall be much pleased to see the policy adopted. ISHAM C. HARRIS Page 230 230 Sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. (CHAP. LXIV. [Second indorsement.] I know the bearer, and have confidence in his skill arid energy, and feel the necessity of gun-boats. V. K. STEVENSON. [Third indorsement.] Major GILMER, Chief Engineer, Nashville: Report on this proposition.* Keep in view the best defense of the river, with the amount of guns we may hope to command. The best defense is wanted. By order of General Johnston: W. W. MACKALL,. [7.] Assistant Adjutant- General. MEMPHIS, December 5, 1861. Major-General POLK, Columbus, Ky.: This morning I succeeded in having nineteen of my improved sub- marine batteries forwarded to Columbus by rail. I had hoped that the entire order for fifty would have been by this time completed, so that I could have been present and supervised their deposit in the river. I have previously sent to Colonel Itichmnond the plan I proposed to sub- merge them. Commodore Rollins will understand it, and of course place them in such manner as will not for the present endanger the navigation of the river by the vessels under his command. The cases are to be charged with powder (twenty-five pounds) wheir ready for submerging. The levers are only to be screwed in after the anchor and weight are properly deposited in the bed of the river with the cordage attached to the cases. Without the levers in it would be almost next to an impossibility to explode one, so that they can be handled with perfect safety even when charged with powder. I find it will be neces- sary to remain here for the present to supervise the construction of the remaining batteries, as I wish to see that each on~ is perfect before being forwarded. Hoping that you will give instructions for the deposit in the river of those already shipped, and that the result will be a success, I remain, respectfully, your obedient servant, [7.] A. L. SAUNDERS. NEW ORLEANS, December 6, 1861. General L. POLK, Golumbus, Ky.: DEAR SIR: From conversation with a gentleman here from Evans- port I learn they are building protections to their gunners over all their batteries by putting up a sloping shed of heavy timber, and covering them with earth and sod two to three feet thick, and lining the front sill with heavy ironsay railroad bars. I think it an excellent plan, and will protect your gunners perfectly from the enemys shot and shell. I regret to see Benjamin Morgan and Steele here (in New Orleans). They arrived here last night, over a week out from Columbus by boat. * For Gilmers report, see Vol. VII, p. 748 Page 231 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 231 At such times as these, when their services are so much needed at Colum- bus to watch the enemys movements, I was mortified, and I fear they are doing no good, and I have heard, too, that they drank too much. I regret to say this, but duty to my country and to you, sir, demands it of me. Look out and you will 50011 see. There are more spies in the country than I ever saw. Try and stop all communication with the North is the best remedy, and then hang such as get over here as spies. Dont turn any more men over to Memphis Safety Committee unless you want them turned loose. Your friend, [7.] SAM. TATE. MOBILE, December 7, 1861. General C. J. McI~AE: DEAR GENERAL: I have not written you because I knew you had on hand as much as you could reasonably be expected to attend to. I had hoped, however, to hear from you, but have not been much disappointed in not doing so. Not to occupy your time unnecessarily, I will be brief in what I have now to say. Nothing has been done toward construct- ing the telegraph line to Meridian since the suspension of my order by the Secretary of War. Nothing will be done, in my opinion, by those who caused my order to be suspended. When the consequences of this unnecessary delay shall be made manifest I shall desire you to bear testimony to the fact that they cannot be attributed to my neglect or incompetency. The steamer Lewis, from New Orleans to this place, loaded with sugar and molasses, was captured by one of the enemys gun-boats. The engineer, Haley, has retnrned to this place and been questioned by me. From him I learn that Ship Island is covered with barrels (sugar, molasses, turpentine, and resin) and live-stock. A regular steam-packet runs from that place to New York every two weeks to carry off the freight. Expeditions were sent out every night, which he was satisfied were to keep up regular intercourse with the shore. The character of the lumber and live-stock satisfied him that neither came from the North. The Lewis was captured on Friday, and he saw New Orleans papers of Thursdays (late on the gun-boat. More rapid delivery than by our mails. Our gun-boats in the sound are not worth the wood they burn. They only serve as an excuse for an expend- iture of the Confederate money. The trade with New Orleans through the sound could be kept open and safe. It is not now, ai~d,in my judgment, never will be under present management. The C. S. naval officers having charge of the Alert and launches, from Lieutenant Johnson down, I would not feed for their services. The whole thing, present and proposed, is a most absurd and childish farce. For Gods sake get the creatures sent some- where else to play their antics. They make our cause appear ridiculous and serve as a powerful provocation to Lincolnism. Can you not aid me in getting some 10-inch projectiles sent me for the 10-inch colam- biads at Morgan and Gaines I I want 1,000 shell and 1,000 shot. Col- onel Gorgas has manifested a most kindly feeling for Mobile, and a word from you will, I think, induce him to send off from the Tredegar Works the shot and shell wanted. We are in no condition to repel a serious attack. I have doneI am doingall iii my power. I cannot make powder nor shell and shot for lOinch columbiads. Brig. Gen. L. P. Walker has reported to m~ for duty. Iii what am I profited I Is this the assistance promised mel You are informed as to the conditio Page 232 232 S~. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. of this command; can nothing be done l If real help cannot be sent save me from the curse of the name without the substance. I have not ordered down the force to Pascagoula because I learned after you left here that General Lovells department embraced the entire State of Mississippi in addition to that of Louisiana. Write me when you have time. Very truly, your friend, J. M. WITHERS. [Indorsen~ent.] Secretary of War for attention. A part of the case as stated falls under the control of General Bragg, and another part under that of General Lovel]. You will also note the complaint in relation to the telegraph line to Meridian. The shot and shell can, I hope, be cast in Alabama. [6.] J. D. HEADQUARTERS, Knoxville, December 7, 1861. Gen. A. S. JOHNSTON, Comdg. Second Div, C. S. Army, Bowling Green, Ky.: GENERAL: I wrote you yesterday giving a detailed account of the proceedings of my command in East Tennessee. Since nothing of special interest has transpired, except a little skirmishing in the neigh- borhood of Morristown by a detachment under Major Monsarrat, which resulted in his dispersing the traitors and capturing about thirty of them, among whom are supposed to be several miscreants who were engaging in burning the bridges. I also have the satisfaction to report the arrest of the notorious Brownlow, which was efibeted yesterday. He is now in jail. To-day I, send to Tuscaloosa, Ala., under an armed escort (in obedience to instructions received from the Secretary of War) about thirty prisoners who were taken in arms against the Government to be held as prisoners of war. My brigade is very niuch in need of arms, and it is the urgent necessity of the case tha~t compels me to again annoy you with the subject. I have well-formed suspicions of an effort being on foot for a thorough organization of the disloyalists in East Tennessee and the bordering counties of North Carolina. The present inefficiency of my command, owing to the want of arms, ren- ders it impossible for me to meet the exigencies which would inevitably arise if such a state of things as I intimate above should develop itself in this part of the State. There are in East Tennessee under my com- mand some 7,000 men, including my original brigade. Of these only about 1,000 are efficiently armed and on a thorough war f6oting. You will readily perceive the absolute necessity of an energetic effort being made to supply this deficiency, which unless speedily remedied must eiitail mischief to our cause in East Tennessee. This letter will be delivered to you by Maj. J. C. Holland, of my staff; who will confer with you on all subjects mentioned above, and will cheerfully give you any further information connected with the movements of the forces under my command. I have the honor to be, general, your obedient servant, W. H. CARROLL, [7.] Brigadier- General, C. S. Army Page 233 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 233 BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, Hopkinsville, Ky., December 7, 1861. Licut. Col. W. W. MACKALL, Assistant Adjutant- General, Bowling Green: COLONEL: I received an order this morning from General Hardee by telegraph to attack the Federal forces marching toward iRusseilville. If there had been any such force they would have been attacked by me without waiting orders. The object of this communication is to inquire as to my relative rank, and whose orders I am bound to obey. The rank of Generals Hardee and Buckner is so variously reputed in the papers of the day that 1 sometimes might be lead to suppose that one of theiii commanded the Army. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, CHAS. CLARK, [~1 Commanding at llopkinsvilie. C. S. ENGINEER OFFICE, Nashville, Tenn., December 7, 1861. Licat. Col. W. W. MACKALL, Adjutant- General, Hdqrs. West. Dept., Bowling Green, Ky.: SIR: For the information of the commanding general I have to report that the agents employed under the sanction of Governor ilar- mis to engage the services of negroes from their masters to work on the intrenciments for defending the city of Nashville against land approach have failed to procure a force at all adequate to the magni- tude of the work contemplated. In fact, the number of hands is insig- nificant, and the agents report that it will be impracticable to procure them at this time, as the negroes in the vicinity of this city are hired out until the end of this year and not now under the control of their masters. It is not probable, therefore, that any material progress can be made in the construction of the proposed defenses during the pres- ent month unless other labor can be applied. It is to be feared, too, that the call for military service has taken so large a proportion of the laboring classes from this community that it will be difficult, if at all possible, to procure white laborers at any price that will be reasonable. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. F. GILMER, [7.] Major and Chief Engineer, Western Department. WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Richmond, December 8, 1861. S. D. WEAKLEY, Esq., Tuscumbia, Ala.: SIR: I have tWe honor to acknowledge receipt of your favor of 22d* ultiino,in which you inform me of your purpose and that of the fellow- members of your committee to send 5,000 volunteers, armed with their own guns, to garrison the defenses of the Tennessee River. This you state to be done with the concurrence and approbation of General Pil- low, and you request that instructions be sent to Mr. l)ickson, as quar- termaster, and Mr. Abernathy, as commissary, for the supply of trans- portation and subsistence for the troops thus to be levied. In reply, I ~SceYol. VII, p. 692 Page 234 234 Sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. beg to say that the Government fully appreciates and acknowledges the patriotism which has dictated the offer of your committee and will most gladly avaIl itself of your services in the raising of the forces you pro- pose to enlist, but the powers of the Secretary of War are not unlimited. He is as much bound to administer his Department in obedience to the will of Congress as expressed in the laws as any other citizen. You will, therefore, fully understand how much I regret being forced to inform you that I cannot give the orders nor recognize the appointments referred to. By law quartermasters and commissaries can only be appointed to regiments after they are mustered into service. Supplies of any kind can only be furnished to troops after enlistment. I inclose you a circular of the Department giving information about the law on this subject, and beg that you will, in accordance with its terms, raise any number of companies, battaliofis, or regiments that you cau collect for the purpose you indicate. The only limitation is that the men must be armed and that their enlistment be for not less than twelve mouths. Enlistments for the war would be infinitely preferred. As fast as your men are enlisted let them organize into companies by the election of captains and other officers, and as fast as they are organized we will muster them into service and furnish all supplies. Hoping you will be able to do this to the full extent of the 5,000 vol- unteers required, and renewitig my thanks for your zeal in our cause, I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. P. BENJAMIN, [7.] Secretary of War. NASHVILLE, December 9, 1861. General JOHNSTON: A reliable gentleman from Jackson County just arrived says that Zollicoffer is surrounded in neighborhood of Steigalls Ferry, on the Cumberland River. Bramlette with 6,000 men in his rear. ISHAM G. HARRIS. [7.] KNOXVILLE, December 9, 1861. General A. S. JOHNSTON: Letter from General Zolhicoffer just received, dated 6th, says that two regiments of his command and a battalion of cavalry have crosssd Cumberland River. Six guns posted on the other side, and infantry pickets two miles from the river. Is fortifying his position strong. A regiment and a battery moves in the morning to join him. A. S. CUNNINGHAM, [7.] As8i6tant Ad General. Brig. Gen. S. R. ANDE]n4ON, RICHMOND, December 10, 1861. ffuntersville, Ky.: SIR: I aiu instructed to say, in reply to your letter of the 1st instant, requesting to be transferred to Kentucky, that as the best interests o Page 235 Cw~. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 235 the service imperatively demand the presence of your brigade else- where, your wishes cannot at this time be complied with, however much under ordinary circumstances the Government might desire to gratify you. Very respectfully, & c., R. II. CHILTON, [7.] Assistant Adjutant- General. RICHMOND, December 11, 1861. Col. W. D. STUART, Abingdon: Proceed with your regiment to Pound Gap and report to General II. Marshall. The quartermasters department is ordered to furnish transportation. S. COOPER, [7.] Adjutant and Inspector General. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Nashville, Tenn., December 11, 1861. General A. S. JOHNSTON, Commanding Western Department: The Governor iu calling for the militia of the State in obedience to your wishes stated that he preferred and was anxious to organize a vol- unteer force in lieu of the militia. Not only from the increased length of service, but in every other view of the question, was this force the desirable one. In order to secure every man who was disposed to volunteer, he authorized volunteers to be sent forward to rendezvous in squads. Again, it not unfrequently happens that full companies, by voluntary assent of its members, are made and reported to the Gov- ernor, and as such accepted and ordered to rendezvous, but when march- ing orders are being executed some of these members decline, from sick- ness or other reasons, to come forward, thus reducing the company below the minimum required by law. In both cases the men are here, or rather at rendezvous. The officers appointed to muster under exist- ing orders from you do not feel at liberty to inspect and muster these incomplete organizations, and hence the force is without any controlling authority, there being no authority in the State laws to hold them, the only power being to return them to their homes~ recognize them as mili- tia, and govern them accordingly, a result to be avoided if possible. Besides the disastrous influence of a return home, we could only secure a force inferior in time of service. The Governor has proposed that these troops be mustered in. If squads, then consolidated into com- panies as soon as it may be done. If near in imumber to a full organi- zation, that such time be allowed to bring up the absent as will insure a perfect company, and on failure that their organization be ignored, and that then they shall be treated and consolidated as squads. If allowed to remain without being sworn in, then, because of time utter absence of military or other authority to detain them, it isapprehended that their numbers will be decreased by voluntary absences, some return- ing home, others seeking service in regular mustered troops. In fact, to speak frankly, the Governor has serious apprehensions, if some such expedient is not adopted, that his high hopes of filling your call wiT Page 236 236 SW. VA.~ KY.., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. twelve-months volunteers will be wrecked, and the state of things involved in very serious embarrassment to him and the service. He is aware that the course suggested by him is one involving a great deal of labor upon the part of the inspecting officer, as well as his constant attendance at rendezvous. Beyond this no very serious objection can be offered to it. On the other hand, infinite trouble, expense, confu- sion, annoyance to both Governments, and possibly a harassing failure in securing the desired number of volunteers. A strong illustration so conceived is laid before the general. A full company is accepted and ordered to rendezvous, and full in its numbers reaches there, but then and there a sufficient number to reduce it below the minimum refuse to be sworn into service. The oath cannot be forced. Shall the seventy who remain be disbanded and sent homey In such a case is it not bet- ter for all interestsState, local, public, and Confederatethat the sev- enty be mustered, time given to fill up (and if the company fail, to have it filled by proper details), or in any other practicable way secure the seventy, than to send theni all home to breed discontent or become dis. satisfled~? True, they might join other companies; but volunteering is built upon and sustained as much by association of men from same neighborhoods, and the fact that they make their own immediate offi- cers, as from other considerations. But without argument, the state of affairs now existing to some extent, and which will by possibility continue from day to day, is submitted to the general by the Governor, assuring him of his determination to co-operate with him to the extent of the power with which he is clothed, asking, however, every assistance that it may be possible for the general to grant. He requests that you will give such orders as the emergency of the case may require, and that if the plan proposed by him be not approved, some other equally safe and efficacious be adopted. He requests this and an early answer, to the end that the disastrous and unfortunate result which a strict adherence to the letter of the law and instructiomis heretofore given would surely bring about may be averted. With high respect, W. C. WHITTHORNE, [7.] Adjutant- General. HEADQUARTERS FOURTH DIvIsION, Camp Beauregard, December 11, 1861. Capt. B. B. BLAKE, C. S. Army, Assistant Adjutant- General: Sin: I am credibly informed that three columns of the enemy have left Paducah on their march in this direction. They are said to be 2,000 in each column, a force with which I feel able to cope in my pres- ent position. I have already demonstrated the importance of at least one regiment being added to this command to insure a decided victory, but have the honor to request that unless a well-drilled, properly armed command is sent, that no more badly armed troops be sent here at present. The regiments that are armed and drilled will have as many poorly armed and undisciplined troops to protect as they can, without taxing them any further. Ite-enforcements if sent should come via State Line Station. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JNO. S. BOWEN, [7.j Colonel, Commanding Division Page 237 CHAP. LXIV.l CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 237 RICHMOND, December 12, 1861. General MANSFIELD LOVELL, New Orleans: The Governor of Kentucky has sent a commissioner asking our aid to seize the property of the banks of Kentucky that may be found in New Orleans. Congress is now deliberating on the proper measures. In the meantime you are instructed to seize and hold till the pleasure of Congress is known all the property, funds, and assets belonging to the different banks of Kentucky that can be found in New Orleans, whether deposited in any of our banks or in the hands of agents of the banks of Kentncky. J. P. BENJAMIN, [7.] & cretary of War. SPECIAL ORDERS, ADJT. AND INSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 266. Richmond, December 14, 1861. * * * * * * XI. Col. S. B. Maxey will immediately proceed with his regiment of Texas Volunteers, via Little Rock, Ark., to Memphis, Tenn., whence he will report by letter to General A. S. Johnston, at Bowling Green, Ky. * * * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, [7.] Assistant Adjutant- General. NEW ORLEANS, December 14, 1861. Hon. J. P. BENJAMIN: All the assets of the Kentucky banks are now in the hands of mar- shal, under a writ of seiznre pending a sequestration suit. If released, of which I shall have due notice, will reseize them. M. LOVELL. [7.] RICHMOND, VA., December 14, 1861. Governor JOSEPH E. BROWN, Milledgerille: I will accept for local defense each armed regiment, battalion, and company of six-months men that you may transfer under the act of Congress for local defense. J. P. BENJAMIN, [7.] AS~ecretary of War. NASHVILLE, December 14, 1861. Hon. J. P. BENJAMIN, & cretary of War: SIR: This will be presented to you by IR. B. Cheatham, esq., mayor of Nashville. After an interview with General A. S. Johnston, he visits Richmond for the purpose of urging the expediency of constructing gun-boats for the use of the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers, or rather of converting steam-boats into gun-boats. I commend him to your kin Page 238 238 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. and respectful notice as a gentleman of intelligence and energy and wlio is familiar with our wants, our territory, and necessities. I will add on this subject my own conviction of the utility of one or more gun-boats on each river. I am of opinion that our city, with all its public stores, is in imminent peril. You are aware that the force of the enemy iu front of Bowling Green is not less than 75,000, and per- haps 100,000. We have not half that number to oppose them. Our new forces now assembling will be indifferently armed and our stock 01 lead is lamentably short. Can we not get a supply of lead from Vir- ginia 0? We wish the real lead for rifles. I respectfully urge npon you also the necessity of appointing a brigadier-general of the interior for this place, to attend to the thousand and one items that are oppressing the service and will not admit of delay. Among his other duties should be added the entire care of the railroad bridges of the State and to have them well guarded. Such an officer should be a brigadier- general to give him weight and influence, and if he is a paiimstaking man, popular and energetic, he could do more good than if he were in the field winning victories. The necessity of such au appointment here is obvious. As it is, there is confusion and delay and the coin- manding general is constantly harassed with these details, an dless able to attend to them than one specially assigned. IRespeetfully, [7.]- KEILL S. BROWN. HEADQUARTERS CENTRAL ARMY OF KENTUCKY, Bowling green, December 15, 1861. General HINDMAN: GENERAL: I sent you instructions to.day to say if you had advanced beyond Cave City to fall back to that place and to-commence breaking up the railroad. Implements for this purpose will be sent you to-mor- row morning. This work I propose you will do slowly. I do not expect you to break the road continuously, but in spots. I judge that the sleepers will be as difficult to replace as the iron, and they will make excellent fire-wood. If I could always command a train I would have the iron sent here- as I cannot, you must devise means for placing it beyond reach of the enemy. Our object is to retard the enemy, and if a favorable opportunity presents itself for striking him a blow avail yourself of it. He cannot bring all his force down at once, and it is thonght that some positions might be found where he could not deploy a larger force than yourself. I rely much on your discretion. We cannot afford to lose your brigade, yet if you can cripple time enemy and give hium a wholesome lesson, you will have accomplished a good work. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. J. HARDEE, [7.] Major. Ueneral. A RESOLUTION appointing John D. Morris, of Kentucky, a receiver under the act of sequestration approved August 13, 1861. The Gongress of the Confederate A3tates of America do resolve, That John ID. Morris, appointed by the government of Kentucky as their special commissioner to secure the co-operation of the Confederat Page 239 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 239 States in the sequestration of the property, effects, and credits of cer- tain banking corporations of the said State, be hereby clothed with the powers of a receiver, under the act for the sequestration of the prop- erty of alien enemies, approved 30th of August, 1861, throughout the Confederate States, and as such be alone be authorized to ascertain, seize, and sequestrate the property, effects, and credits of all the bank- ing corporations of the said State that may have made loans or extended ~)ecuniary aid to the United States, or the government of Kentucky waging war against the Confederate States; and when so sequestrated, instead of paying the same into the Treasnry of the Confederate States, shall account for and pay over the same under his commission to the government of Kentucky. Approved December 16, 1861. [7.] KNOXVILLE, December 16, 1861. General A. S. JOHNSTON. Bowling Green: On reaching here last night from Richmond I received a communica- tion from Zollicoffer informing me that he was threatened by a force of ten regiments and some cavalry at Somerset, aiid a force of five regi- ments at Columbia. His position I consider critical. I ordered him to recross the Cumberland, and am now using all the nicans in my power to re-enforce him. Cannot General Hardee make a demonstration on Columbia? General Zollicoffer asks for six 24-pounders or 8-inch how- itzers. I have telegraphed to General Cooper in regard to these guns. G. B. CIR1TTENDEX, [7.] Major- General. SPECIAL ORDERS, HEA~QU~RTE~~ SECOND DIVISION, CENTRAL ARMY OF KENTUCKY, No. 268. ) December 16, 1861. Brig. Gen. J. C. Breckinridge will assume command of the Second Division of the Central Army of Kentucky during the temporary absence of General Buckner from the post, commencing Tuesday, December 17, 1861. By order of General S. B. Bnckner: U. B. COSBY, [7.] Assistant ~4djutant- General. CLARKSVILLE, December 16, 1861. Col. W. W. MACKALL, A ssistant Adjutant- General, Bowling Green: 1 deem it only just to myself to say I am not secure at either Henry or Donelson. Have 1,500 unarmed mcii. Have asked for two companies for heavy artillery; have no answer. Think movements at Cairo look to Cumberland and Tennessee certain. Waiting on Captain Shaw to organize MacGavocks regiment. L. TILGUMAN, General. [7. Page 240 240 Sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [ChAP. LXIV. SPECIAL ORDERS, ADJT. AND INSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 268. Richmond, December 17, 1861. * * * * * * * XXXI. Maj. Charles Baskervilles battalion Mississippi cavalry, now at Columbus, Miss., will proceed at once to Bowling Green, Ky., and report for duty to General A. S. Johnston, commanding. * * * * IF * By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, [7.] Assistant Adjutant. General. RICIIMO3~D, December 17, 1861. General JOHNSTON, Bowling Green: Kentucky was admitted into the Confederacy on the 10th instant. An official copy of act will be forwarded to you by mail. [7.] JEFFN DAVIS. Two MILES OF GREEN RIVER, On Turnpike, December 17, 1861. [General JOHNSTON:] About 12 my advance guard engaged enemys infantry between Wood- sonville and Rowletts Station. The enemy crossed over re-enforcements rapidly. Colonel Terry charged them with his rangers and was killed. Two others of his command killed, 2 ~~ortally wounded, 6 wounded slightly; 50 to 75 of the enemy killed, 10 prisoners. Swetts battery and time companies of Marmnadukes battalion were also in the action. T have taken positiomi here to reconnoiter. Expect to move to railroad to-night. [7.] T. C. IIINDMAN. MONTGOMERY, ALA., December 17, 1861. General A. S. JOHNSTON, Bowling Green: Tender from North Alabama come in slowly under your letter of 2d. Several companies have been ordered to Florence, and hope to have seven or eight companies from that region in a few days. There are delays from trying 1o get up a regiment instead of tendering by com- panies, understanding that if mnstered in by companies they cannot elect their field officers. Another difficulty is arms. State arms exhausted, and Legislature refuses to pass laws to impress them. Am hnrrying up, but fear it will be some time before any companies can be started to Bowling Green. The 500 slaves are ready. Have ordered a company to Nashville, which had just tendered. [7.] JNO. GILL SHORTER. BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, Beech Grove, December 18, 1861. The regiments of Colonels Statham, Cii~mmings, and Battle, the battal- ion of LieutenantColonel Hawes, and the regiments of Colonels Stanto Page 241 CRAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 241 and Murray will march at 10 oclock precisely in the order named, each leaving a small camp guard to take care of their baggage and stores. Each will go provided with two days cooked rations. The officer of Colonel Newmans regiment will not move his regiment, but assume command of the force at Mill Springs and place out proper infantry and cavalry pickets. He will permit no person not in the service to enter his lines. Captain Rutledge will march with the six pieces of artillery on this side the river at the same hour, following the three first regi- ments. The cavalry will precede the infantry and artillery. Front and rear guards will be thrown out. F. K. ZOLLICOFFER, [7.] Brigadier. General. CAvE CITY, December 19 1R61. General HARDER, Bowling Green: Colonel Helm informs me that he has fallen back toward Bowling Green six miles. He assigns no reasons, but mentions that the enemy is rel)orted advancing from Columbia. I would like to have him here. Breckinridge has enough cavalry to protect himself in that direction. Rockets -are seen occasionally in my front. 1 have parties thrown toward all points from which ami attack can be made. T. C. HINDMAN. [7.] MONTGOMERY, December 19, iRGI. General JOHNSTON: Companies in North Alabama are forming rapidly. Hope to have from twenty-five to thirty in a few days, includiag those to be sent to Fort Henry. The difficulty is in blankets and arms. At what points will the troops be supplied with knapsacks, canteens, & c.l The State has none, and the material is not to be had. JNO. GILL SHORTER. [7.] HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF MISSISSIPPI, Ordnance Office, Jackson, i)ecember 21, 18G1. Maj. Gen. L. POLR, Columbus, K DEAR SIR: We have to-day directed the shipment of our 42 and 24 pounder guns now in Vicksburg to you at Columbus. They will go forward on next Monday, the soonest possible moment we can get them ready. We will also ship you the balls and cartridge bags for the 42 and 24 pounder guns mentioned above. We have eight 24-pounder gun carriages. Do you wish them l Very respectfully, yours, E. FONTAiNE, [7.] Lient. Gol. and Chief of Ordnance, Army of Mississippi. 16 R RYOL LII, PT I Page 242 242 Sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Richmond, December 22, 1861. Hon. JoHN J. PETTUS, Governor of Mississippi: SIR: I have the honor to inform you, in reply to certain passages of your letter to the President of the 14th instant, that at this moment General Polk is so urgent for re-enforcements, and is so hard pressed, that I dare not withdraw the Third Mississippi itegiment, as you (lesire. If, however, at a little later period it shall be possible to do so, I will replace that regiment by another, as I fully concur in your view that it would be very desirable to have the , who are sailors and who know the coast, retained there for its defense. 1 was glad to see your solicitude expressed for the health of the President. He will answer your letter in person, no doubt. His health is now very good, but I hope you will continue to urge on him that he needs more exercise than he now finds time to take. Yours, very respectfally, J. P. BENJAMIN, [7.] & cretary of War. ORDNANCE OFFICE, Nashville, Tenn., December 23, 1861. Col. J. GORGAS, Chief of Ordnance, Richmond, Va.: SIR: I have the honor to report by letter the destruction and entire loss of the ordnance depot and supplies, reported by telegram this a. m. The fire originated between 3 and 4 a. in., how or where I am unable to ascertain. I had a sentinel at both doors (house fronts ou two streets) and private watch inside. The watchman inside reports that the first he knew of it flames burst from the room above him where I kept such articles as flints, shoe thread, lanyards, & c., on one side and percussion caps and friction-primers on the other. In a few mnomneuts after discov- ering the fire, an explosion occurred of time percussion caps and a case of rockets (which were also in the room) and the primers. A man (cor- poral of the guard) reports that the fire commenced in an adjoining building, but the truth of the case has not yet been fully developed. Notwithstanding tIme guards, & c., I am constrained to believe that it was the work of an incendiary, inasmuch as if it had been from spon- taneous combustion of the caps or pri niers (which I think could not have occurred, as everytliii~g was so carefully dry) an explosion would have been heard in the first instance. No oil nor anything of the kind was in that portion of the house at all, and special pains have always been taken to keep every portion thoroughly cleaned and in 110 case has it ever been allowed for rubbish to accumulate in any portion of the house. The loss is of course heavy, principally artillery harness, and equipments generally. Say from 400 to 600 sets artillery harness, 300 cavalry saddles, from 8,000 to 15,000 sets of equipments and accon- termnents for infantry, 2,000,000 percussion caps, 5,000 friction primers, two dozen rockets, & c., 300 reams cartridge-paper. All my books excel)t my cash book and cash vouchers were destroyed. A full report will be made as soon as possible. I have asked for a board of survey from General Johnston. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, M. H. WRIGHT, [7.] First Lieutenant, & c Page 243 CHAP LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 243 SPECIAL ORDERS, ADJT. A~D INSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 274. ICichmor~d, December 24, iSGi. * * * * * * * IV. Maj. J. G. Pickett, assistant adjutant-general, Provisional Army, will proceed at once to Bowling Green, Ky., -aud report for duty to General A. S. Johnston, commanding. * * * * * * * XVI. The designation of the First Regiment Mississippi Cavalry will hereafter be the Wirt Adams Regiment of Cavalry. XV1I. Brig. Gen. Alexander P. Stewart, Provisional Army, will report at once to General A. S. Johnston, commanding at Bowling Green, Ky. * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, [7.] Assistant Adjutant- General. RICui~ioND, December 24, 1861. Lient. Col. PHILIPS P. SLAUGHTER, or COMDG. OFFICER FIFTY;SIXTH REGT. VIRGINIA VOLUNTEERS, Abingdon, Va.: SIR: The Secretary of War directs that you immediately proceed to carry out the instructions referred to in your communication of the 23d instant, by reporting with all your effective force for duty to Brig. Gen. II. Marshall, making proper provision for your sick at Abingdon. Your obedient servant, R. II. CHILTON, [7.] Assistant Adjutant- General. COLUMBUS, December 24, 1861. General A. S. JOHNSTON, Bowling Green: Your dispatch just received. I concluded not to wait for you, but telegraphed you some hours ago that I had given Colonel Bowens command [orders] to move. I have changed my plan and will send them all by rail. I have transportation enough to take 2,500 at a trip, and I think I can place them from State line to Bowling Green in eighteen hours each trip. Where do you want them ordered? Shall they take wagon transportation? Do you require artillery ~ * L. POLK. [7.] CAMP MILL SPRINGS, December 25, 1861. General A. S. JOHNSTON: DEAR SIR: We are at the above point, nine miles above Monticello, and have been here for near a month. We are going into winter quarters here. The weather has been remarkably fine since our arrival at this point. I think this the most propitious time for an onward * For reply, see Mackall to Polk, Vol. VII, p. 790 Page 244 244 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. movement in Kentucky that has ever been. I have judged very poorly the element I have met in this section. Ifthe Union cause in this section has not been much paralyzed by the late expression of the President and Cabinet, as well as the action of Congress, I of course yield cheerfully to the superior views of our officers. But if we remain here for the winter, this force should not all be concentrated at this point. Supplies will be hard to get to supply the whole army. Roads will, of course, be bad from this until March. If we conclude to go into winter quarters, one regiment should be stationed at Gainesborough with two pieces of artillery, two at Burkesville with four pieces. By this means we get the resources of two fine sections without the cost of transportation. In the winter season the transportation of forage thirty miles on muddy roads will exceed the first cost. By this means we secnre the navigation of the river to this point and can ship supplies to this point and all intermediate points from this to Nashville. If this is not done, when spring comes our wagons will all be out of order, our horses broken down, and everything unfit for a forward move. Besides, by thus opening and protecting the navigation of the river we wil] save to the Government at least *100,000 in the cost and transpor- tation of supplies, damages to wagons, and teams. The illustration of this needs only to consult the geography of the country and its relative bearing on Kentucky. To my mind, if we do not move onward, our forces should be so divided as to command securely the navigation of the Cumberland River, making such locations as are good military posi- tions, with an eye to forage and supplies. These suggestions are offered with the desire that they should meet with only such consideration as they are entitled to. I am, yours, with great respect, & c., JOHN P. MURRAY, [7.] Colonel Twenty-eighth Regiment Tennessee Volanteers. NASHVILLE, TENN., December 25, 1861. Col. W. W. MACKALL: DEAR Sin: I am informed, through a letter received here from the Hon. Thomas M. Jones, Member of Congress from this State, that the Secretary of War has said to Mr. Jones that my appointment as brigadier-general will be made as soon as there is a necessity for addi- tional generals from Tennessee. Hoping that the general commanding may think that this necessity now exists, and that lie nmay be disposed to set forth the fact to the War Department, I venture to lay before you the above statement. You are now in almost daily expectation of a conflict with the Northern forces, and I feel anxious to be placed in position before this conflict occurs, if that is possible. Ten thousand or 12,000 troops have gone forward to our defensive lines from Tennes- see under the late call for 30,000 men, and a bout 5,000 are in encamp- ment ready to receive arms, which will be furnished at no distant period. I should be pleased if I could receive the appointment and be ordered at once to duty with the army advancing from Bowling Green. However, I shall cheerfully render my services wherever they may be deemed most appropriate. I could do better service here in disciplimi- ing and preparing troops for the field if my authority over troops mus- tered into the Confederate service were complete. I may be allowed to state here that petitions have been forwarded to Richmond by about five regiments asking for my appointment, with a view to my comman Page 245 CHAP. LXIV.1 CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 245 of them. Of course I do not anticipate such a command, though the petitions were made by voluntary and unsolicited action on the part of the petitioners. Yours, truly, B. H. JOHNSON. [7.] OFFICE OF THE MILITARY BOARD Little Rock, Aric., December 25, 1861. The board met. Present, the Hon. C. W. Board and L. D. Hill. In consequence of a telegraphic dispatch received on yesterday from General A. S. Johnston, calling on the military board to forward to him as soon as possible all the armed volunteers in this State, orders were issued to the companies forming under Cols. S. W. Williams, E. N. Hill, and C. S. Dawson, at Dardanelle, Camden, and Paraclifta, to move by the most direct route and with the greatest dispatch to Memphis, and there report to General A. S. Johnston all the armed force under their command, leaving the unarmed behind. Ordered, That the board adjourn until to-morrow morning. L. D. HILL. [7.] C. W. BOARD. NASHVILLE, TENN., December 26, 1861. Col. W. W MACKALL: DEAR SIR: Since I wrote to you on yesterday General Whitthorne, adjutant-general of the State, has informed me that Tennessee has now fifty regiments of infantry in the field, all duly organized, and that there are besides in camp, or ordered to camp, companies sufficient to form two regiments at Jackson, Teun., two regiments at Camp Weak- Icy, two regiments at Fort Donelson, one regiment at Camp Trousdale, one regiment at Knoxville, ofie regiment at Columbus, Ky., making fifty-nine regiments of infantry from Tennessee. General Whitthorue assures me that he will be able to report to the State Legislature when it reconvenes after Christmas holidays that Tennessee has sixty regi- ments of infantry in the field, besides twelve battalions of cavalry and two regiments of artillery. I may be permitted to say familiarly to you that I should be pleased, if the general could find it consistent with his duties in view of these facts, to recommend my immediate appointment by the War Department to the place for which I have already asked his recommendation. It seems the l)epartment will wait till he indicates the necessity. Yours, truly, B. H. JOHNSON. F~] HEADQUARTERS, Fort 1)oneison December 28, 1861. His Excellency President DAVIS, Richmond, ITa SIR: This will be handed you by Colonel Bailey, of one of the Ten- nessee regiments stationed at this post. The exposed positiomi of this command amid the impossibility of obtainimig arms here has induced us hoth to make an effort to secure them at Hichmond. Knowing the difficulties we all labor under on this score, permit me simply to stat Page 246 246 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA, & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. that I feel deeply solicitous about our condition on the Tennessee and Cumberland, and believe that no one point in the Southern Confederacy needs more the aid of the Government than [these] points. Colonel Bailey will be presented to you under such auspices as will, I am sure, command for him your especial consideration. With every assurance of the highest consideration, and the hope that a complete restoration to health will enable you to meet the heavy demands on your time, I remain, respectfully, your obedient servant, LLOYD TILGUMAN, Brigadier- General, C. S. Army, [7.] Commanding Defenses Cumberland and Tennessee Bivers. MEMPHIS, December 28, 1861. General L. POLK, Columbus, Ky.: I inclose you a proclamation* issued this morning by John Park, our mayor. You will see from it where we stand. Our city is in a terrible condition with such a man at its head. You can plainly see his aims. Nothing in my judgment will do but strict military law as long as he is at the head of affairs. Our prisoners are not safe. I learn there is frequently no guard around them. Your ordnance. commissary, and quartermasters stores are unsafe, only two to four men at each place at night to guard them, and the town Pill of rascals and incendiaries, and the mayor issuing proclamations saying he will protect them, and offer- ing inducements virtually to bring in more. For heavens sake dont let any supplies be burnt up for want of proper guards. Nashville has suffered enough. Dont let us repeat it. We have no one here with any authority over the city who is disposed to protect the right. Yours, truly, SAM. TATE. [7.] BOWLING GREEN, December 30, 1861. lion. J. P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War: The citizens of Nashville believe, and so represent, that the city is in danger from incendiaries sent in by the Federalists or engaged from the disloyal of their own citizens. They wi~li a strong military police under a general officer, and recommend General II. C. Foster, from his knowledge of the city, the people, his firm ness and experience, as the most proper person. In this representation and recommendation the Governor concurs, and in the recommendation I also concur, and hope it will receive attention. A. S. JOHNSTON, [7.] General. BELLS TAVERN, December 30, 1861. General HARDEE: Scouts returned too late last night to report. Went within one mile of Woodsonville, on Green sburg road. Several pickets ran in and long roll was beaten. No camp visible this side. Intercepted citizens and *Not fonud Page 247 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 247 negroes returning from enemys camp; all stated that one span of rail- road bridge is finished, and that balance will be completed this week; also that one regiment is constantly on this side concealed in timber on heights near Rowletts Station, and that a large cavalry force will cross to-day. T. (5. HJNDMAN. [7.] iRICBTVIoND; December 30, 1861. Hon. J. P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War: The President requests me to say that it would be well to consider the policy of instructing General Lovell to detail General iRuggles to command on the Mexicau coast from Pearl River to Pascagoula, and to give him two regiments with some artillery and cavalry. If the infantry are sent from New Orleans the artillery and cavalry may be sent from Mobile or Alabama. Colonel Clantons regiment of cavalry is just ready for service. I inclose a dispatch just received from Mr. Zantzinger, the chief operator of the telegraph at Mobile. It may be relied on. Yours, most respectfully, C. J. MCRAE. [Inclosure.] MOBILE, December 30, 1861. General C. J. MCRAE: Twenty-two vessels lauding troops iu large numbers at Ship Island. All well. ZANTZINGER. [6.] MOBILE, January 1, 1862. His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS, President: The uiidersigned citizens of the city of Mobile beg leave to suggest to Your Excellency the importance of establishing the headquarters of General Bragg in this city. The demonstrations of the enemy now going on at and about Ship Island, in connectioui with his often- expressed designs upon our cotton ports, leave, as the undersigned think, little doubt that Mobile is to be attacked. The fruitlessness of the late attempt on Pensacola and the movements of the enemy in the Gulf do not, they submit, render an early attack on the latter place probable. Besides, the defenses of Pensacola are complete, and the troops there efficient and skillftil. Those here are raw, undisciplined, and (about 3,000) without arms. The presence of General Bragg here would greatly inspire our troops and people, and wonld consolidate and bring to perfection our military organization, while the ready commu- nication between this place and Pensacola by telegraph and rail would enable General Bragg effectually to discharge the duties of commander of that post. R. H. SLOUGH, Mayor. WM. B. HAMiLTON. C. LE BARON. [AND SIXTY OTHERS.] [6. Page 248 248 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. ILA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV CAMP BEAUREGARD, January 1, 1862. Major General POLK: Sin: I dispatched a courier to you with a note when we were eight miles from Camp Beauregard, in which I gave you the report received from a citizen that the enemy were in a few miles of this camp with a force 12,000 strong. In consequence of this report I thought it best to push forward by a forced march, and reached this point at 7 p. m. The report referred to above I find to be without foundation. The latest information received from the enemy through the scouts is that they are not in force this side of Mayfield. On consultation with Gen- eral Alcorn we think we are able to make a stand against the enemy at this point if they continue to advance, and have concluded to do so unless we receive orders to the contrary, or future developments in regard to the enemys forces, & c., render it iYecessary for us to evacuate the l)ost. From all the information General Alcorn has been able to obtain, there are 1,500 infantry and 500 cavalry encamped a short dis- tance beyond Mayfield. If they have no other force but this between this point and Paducah, by a bold and rapid move wit of the railroad, I think it might be possible to h the assistance rout or capture them. Their strength will be ascertained more accurately to-morrow morning, probably. They will [not] be suspicious of any forward movement by us and may not be on their guard. As my orders from you do not con- template any such movement, however, I will remain here to-morrow and await orders from you unless it becomes necessary, from some unforeseen circumstance, for me to fall back. I should be glad to turn the tables on the enemy if it were possible to do so, but shall not make any rash or hasty move in any direction. General Alcorn says he will not be able to move his force before the courier who bears this will return with your instructions, owing to the fact that his last instruc- tions require him to bring back subsistence and the baggage of his cavalry. The general, as well as myself, would be glad to remain here for a day or two, if not inconsistent with your programme, to see what further demonstrations time enemy will make. If he advances, unless in too great force, we will give him battle. If he retires, I will return to Columbus with my brigade. Meantime I will await further orders from you. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. M. RUSSELL, Colonel, Commanding. The bearer of this has been riding all day, and his horse in use also. I would therefore suggest that they be permitted to return to this camp at Moscow and a fresh rider and a horse be provided in their places. R.M.iR. [7.] JAcKSoN, Miss., January 2, 1862. His Excellency President JEFFERSON DAVIS, Richmond, Va.: Enemy landed on Mississippi sea-shore in force. Third Regiment Mississippi Volunteers much needed there. Can you aid us l Four companies here. Ordered them to sea~shore.* J. J. PETTUS. [6.] *For reply, see Davis to I~ettus, Vol. VI, p. 792 Page 249 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 249 JANUARY 2, 1862. Maj. GEORGE WILLIAMSON, Assistant Adjutant- General, Columbus, Ky.: SIR: Having learned from scouts that there is no enemy nearer than Mayfield Creek, if that near (which is doubtful), I thought it best, on consultation with General Alcorn, to return at once to Columbus, and am now with my command on my way to Moscow. The brigade will be at that l)oint by 7 oclock this evening. On account of the threat- ening appearance of the weather I think it best that a train should be sent to meet US there at that hour, if it umeets with your approval. I am induced to make this request from the consideration that it may sleet or snow to-night and our men would be exposed without shelter. Should this be the case no doubt much sickness would result therefrom. Moscow is but a few miles out of the direct route, and if you think best for me to proceed to Columbus by the dirt road but little dis- tance will have been lost. Very respectfully, your obedieiit servant, H. M. IIUSSELL, [7.] Colonel, Commanding AS1econd Brigade. BOWLING GREEN, KY., January 3, 18G2. Hon. 11. W. Jorn~soN: MY DEAR SIR: You must excuse me for not replying sooner to your most valued letter, but I have been so continually engaged in different ways that 1 have been compelled to neglect my private correspondents and depend upon my opportunity now to set myself right with them. I do thank you most truly for your assistance in getting our State ad- mitted into the Southern Confederacy, where she must remain forever. In relation to the ratification by us of the Constitution of the Confederate States, I will state that we ratified and adopted the constitution and laws of the Provisional Government and the permanent Constitution of the Confederate States the day after our admission. This was tele- graphed to our commissioners, and we afterward made out a certified copy of its adoption by us and transmitted it by mail to our commis- sioners. I had, however, ordered a second copy to be certified by the secretary of state and forwarded to Richmond, so that this will, I hope, remove all the constitutional objections to the admission of our Repre- sentatives and Senators to which you allude. In addition I will state that by our law every officer under our Government is compelled to take an oath to sustain as the supreme law the Constitution of the Confed- erate States. The peculiar condition of Kentucky renders it important, in order to develop our full strength, that our volunteers should be organized into a State force under the Confederate general. They will not volunteer to half the extent into the Confederate Army. During the campaign it may also be important for particular purposes to raise volunteers on short time for specific purposes which may be of vital importance to the Confederate cause. Under these circumstances, with our sources not fully developed, we are compelled to ask the Confederate States to grant us a loan in Confederate notes to the extent of $3,000,000 for the support, pay, and equipment of our State force; this money to be placed to our credit as needed. Kentucky will, of course, assume her full share of the whole war debt of the Confederate States, and as peculiarities in their military system is needed in our State. the placing of this fund in our hands will make no difference in the results to the Page 250 250 sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. if we can spend the money as economically as the War Department. The management of this Department is unquestionably good, but I am fully satisfied that we can save a large proportion of the expenditures in consequence of local advantages, opposition, and supervision. We need this money, or rather a portion of it now, and I li ope you will assist our members in having it done at once. Please write to me on this sub. ject. Be so kind as to send me a copy of the Presidents message and my letter to him in relation to the admission of the State, which J hear was ordered to be printed. Your friend, [7.] GEORGE W. JOHNSON. RICHMOND J W. C. WIIiTTHORNE, , anmtary 3, 1862. Adjutant- General of Tennessee, Nashville, Town.: Sin: Your communications of the 25th ultimo are duly received, and in accordance with your request Colonel Quarles regiment will be known as the Forty-second and Colonel Clarks as the Forty-sixth. I am directed by the Secretary of War to say that no twelve-months regi- ments, battalions, or companies can be received in the C. S. service unless armed when mustered. I find iii your report Colonel Gillespies reginfent, Forty-third Tennessee. Orders have been issued to Brigadier- General Carroll to disband this regiment if unarmed.* As the expense of mustering in and subsequently disbanding troops is very great, besides being a source of dissatisfaction and confusion, you are respect- fully requested not to commission officers of any twelve-months organ- ization unless it is armed at the time of muster. I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, V. D. GRONER, [7.] Acting Assistant Adjutant. General. PROCLAMATION. DIVISION HEADQUARTERS, Mill Springs, Ky., January 6, 1862. To the PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY: When the present war between the Coiifederate States and the United States commenced, the State of Kentucky determined to remain neutral. She regarded this as her highest interest, and balancing between hope for the restoration of the Union and love for her South- ern sisters, she declared and attempted to maintain a firm neutrality. The conduct of the United States Government toward her has been marked with duplicity, falsehood, and wrong. From the very begin- ning the President of the United States in his messages spoke of the chosen attitude of Kentucky with open denunciation, and on the one hand treated it with contempt and derision, while on the other hand he privately promised the people of Kentucky that it should be pro- tected. In violation of this pledge, but in keeping with his first and true intention, he introduced into the State arms, which were placed exclusively in the hands of persons known or believed to be in favor of coercion, thus designing to control the people of Kentucky and to * See Benjamin to Whittliorne, January 16, 1862, Vol. VII, p. 834 Page 251 CRAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 251 threaten the Confederate States. Then the Government of the Con- federate States, in self-defense, advanced its arms into your midst, and offers you their assistance to protect yoU from the calamity of Northern military occupation. By the administration of your State government Kentucky was being held to the United States and bound to the feet of Northern tyranny. That Government did not rest upon the consent of your people; and now having thrown it off, a new govermnent has been established, aiid Kentucky admitted into the Southern Confederacy. Can Kentuckians doubt which Government to sustain~ To the South you are allied by interest, by trade, by geography, by similarity of institutions, by the ties of blood, and by kindred courage. The markets of the North do not invite your products. Your State is to the center of its trade, soci- ety, and laws but a distant province, despised for its customs and institutions. Your heroic lineage forbids association in arms with their warriors of Manassas, of Leesburg, and of Belmont, and your former devotion to the Union must intensify your hatred toward that section which has, in its abolition crusade, broken to pieces the Constitution, and which is now vainly endeavoring to destroy the liberty of Southern States. At first you may have been deceived as to the purpose of the North. They talked of restoring the Union. iDo you not see that it is hope- lessly lost in the storm of war, and that while the rotten Government of the North is shaking over its ruins the South has erected out of them a new, powerful, and free constitutional republic ~ And now, indeed, the mask is thrown off, and you find the North through its President, and Secretary of War, and public journals, and party leaders giving up the claim of Union and proclaiming the extinction of slavery and the subjugation of the South. Can you join in this enterprise~ The South would never in any event consent to a reconstruction. She is contending with unconquerable spirit, with great military power, with unbroken success, for constitutional freedom and for her own national government. Where is your spirit of other days that you do not rush to her victorious standard~ Shall the sons of Tennessee, Virginia, Mississippi, and other Southern States, with whom you have gathered the laurels on other battle-fields, win them all in this war of independ- ence, while you are inactive and lost in slothful indolence? May the proud genius of my native Kentucky forbid it. In these mountains, where freedom and patriotism stir the human heart, can you sleep with the clarion of a glorious war ringing in your ears? True, you have refused to bear arms and wear the livery of Northern despotism. Their base hirelings have been among you, but have not seduced you into their ranks. Will you stay at home and let noble bands of soldiers, armed in your cause as in their own, pass on to battle-fields on your own soil consecrated by no deed of your valor? Having assumed command of the forces of the Confederate States on Cumberland River, in Southeastern Kentucky, I make this appeal to you. You are already assured that we come among you as friends and brothers, to protect you in your l)ersons, liberties, and property, and only to make war against the invaders of your home and our common enemies. I invoke you to receive us as brothers, and to come to our camp and share with us the dangers and the Imonor of this struggle. Come to these headquarters, as individuals or in companies, and you will be at once accepted and mustered in with pay and arms from the Government of the Confederate States. At first mamiy Kentuckians entered the Army of the South for the great cause it supports; no Page 252 252 Sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. this has become the cause of Kentucky, and it is your duty to espouse it. Duty and honor unite in this call upon you. Will you join iu the moving columns of the South, or is the spirit of Kentucky deadl GEORGE B. CRITTENDEN, [7.] Major. General. BOWLING GREEN, Ky., January 6, 1862. General S. COOPER, Adjutant- General C. S. Army: SIR: Our people have reached here, except the Forty-fifth Regiment and the regiment of horse, and these we are looking for daily. No acci- dent occurred by the way and the men are in tolerable coudition. We did not reach here until a week after the time designated by the Secre- tary of War, for the reason that transportation could not be gotten on the railroad and because we met with much delay on account of the burnt bridges. I fully expected, from the assurances- given me at the department, that the men under my command would have been paid off before this time, but I am sorry to have to say that this has not been done. One-half of the Fifty-first Regiment have never received one dollar since they entered the service. They are generally very poor men and entirely without support for their wives and little children, except their wages, which is necessary to keep them from actual suffer- ing at this inclement season in the mountains where they reside. I received telegraphic dispatches at Dublin stating that a paymaster had been sent with money to pay the men, and I so assured them. The men are still unpaid, and are beginning to utter what I cannot help think- ing wellfounded complaints at the continued delay. They have not a single dollar to purchase the least little comfort, even for the sick. I must beg of you, general, to have the matter brought to the attention of the proper authorities, and to see that these poor people shall at once be paid, at least a portion of their wages, overdue now for more than half a year. With the highest respect, I am your obedient servant, JOHN B. FLOYD, Brigadier- General, C. S. Army. [First indorsernent.] ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERALS OFFICE, Respectfully referred to Quartermaster-General. January 13, 1862. R. H. CHILTON, Assistant Adjutant. General. [Second indorsernent.] QUNRTERMASTER.GENERALS OFFICE, January 18, 1862. Respectfully returned to the Adjutant and Inspector General with the remark that on the 24th of December Capt. W. Gibboney was sent to Dublin with $75,000 to pay the Forty-fifth Virginia; on the 23d of December Captain Banks (R. G.) was sent to pay the Fiftieth Virginia, and on December 30 Captain Duncan was remitted the sum of $56,041.67 to pay the Thirty-sixth Virginia, Guys battery in part, the Fifty-first Virginia, Adams battery, and Frenchs battery. Payment to 31st of December, 1861. 7.] - A. C. MYERS Page 253 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 253 SPECIAL ORDERS, ADJT. AND JNSP. GENERALS OFFICEq No. 6. * Richmond, January 8, 1862. * * * * * * IV The First Battalion Alabama Volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel Loomis, and the Sixth Battalion Alabama Volunteers, Major McClel- Ian, having organized themselves into a regiment, will be known as the Twenty-fifth Regiment Alabama Volunteers, Col. J. Q. Loomis and Licut. Col. W. B. McClellan. * * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, [6.] Assistant Adjutant- General. EXECUTIVE HEADQUARTERS, Nashrille, 1enn., January 8, 1862. Hon. J. P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War, Richmond, Va.: SIR: I confess to some surprise in reading the favor of Captajn Groner, acting assistant adjutant-general, addressed to myse~ of date the 3d instant, in which it is stated that orders had been issued through Brigadier-General Carroll to disband Colonel Gillespies regiment, if not armed, accompanied with instructions not to commission officers of any twelve-months organization unless it is armed at the time of mus- ter. It would seem that the Department is not acquainted with the state of affairs in Tennessee. I premise that the Governor of the State thoroughly understands that he is required to arm such troops and that he is endeavoring to do so, with promise of success, I take pleasure in adding. But the condition of affairs in Tennessee is as follows: Since September last General Johnston, in the discharge of his duties, has made repeated and urgent calls upon the Governor for troops, but since the order of the Department (made, as I learn, in October last), accom- panied with the request that they should be armed by the Governor, and in November last, to wit, the 19th, such was the urgency and importance of the defense of his line that the general called for every man in the State that could be armed. In answer to which, and to dis- charge his duty, the Governor made his call and took instant and withal hazardous steps to possess the State of the arms of the private citi- zensinferior weapons, to be surebut yet such was the only resource of the State, which fact General Johnston well understood. Volunteer companies were ordered to rendezvous, and the arms of the State were ordered to dift~rent arsenals in order to be placed in shooting order preparatory to their delivery to the different regiments that might be organized. The account of guns received corresponds pretty well with the number of volunteers reported, but necessarily there must be some little delay in fixing off regiments; and to disband theni because at the instant of muster they may not happen to be armed is to place obsta- cles in the way of speedy organization and will prove most disastrous. A concise statement is that the Governor intends, out of the means alluded to, to arm the twelve-months volunteers of the State now called for by General Johnston. He believes that it can be done speed- ily, and is himself unwilling to incur the expense as well as attendant confusion and dissatisfaction that would follow the disbanding of troops. My information is that the ordinary rifle and shotgun in suf- ficient numbers are now at Knoxville, simply awaiting repair, not only to arm Colonel Gillespies regiment but one or two others, and I wa Page 254 254 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. in the act of arranging measures for the more speedy repair of them when I was handed Captain Groners letter. I do not suppose, because I have not sufficient facts to warrant the reflection, that General Car- rolls brigade requires the arms intended for Colonel Gillespies regi- ment, since I believe it was reported as an armed brigade to you, but if General Carrolls brigade need any I undertake to say that the Governo~will endeavor to supply his wants. I beg to add further that in view of the invasion threatened and imminent to the State of Tennessee it would be well, not only well but highly important to the citizens of the State as also the Confederacy now and in the future, if the Secretary would receive the assurance given that the troops called for will be armed by the State, either at the time of muster or within a short time thereafter, the time being only that necessary to put gnus in shooting order. Conceiving the publication of the order of Captain Groiier would work injuriously, I will withhold it until further communication from you. It is proper to state that the Governor is absent from the city at this writing, but knowing the plans adopted and being in part charged with their execution I have taken the liberty of writing as I have done. Respectfully, W. C. WHITTIIORNE, Adjutant. General. RICHMOND, January 8, 1862. rilon. J. P. BENJAMIN:] M~ DEAR SIR: As I came through Knoxville I stopped to see Par- son Browulow, who is an old acquaintance of miiie. He was very solicitous to get permission for his family to go with him, and I promised to mention the matter to you. his family consists of several daughters. He intends to go on a farm, and is earnest in his intention no longer to dabble in politics. Your action is perfectly satisfactory to him. Know- ing him as I do, I am certaiii that he will never do anything against the South again, for he despises Lincoln and his supporters. As long as he remains in East Tennessee there will be an excitement kept up; his friends will be backward in giving adhesion to the Government. He is hated and pursued with a virulence beyond belief, and if proper steps are not taken there is great danger that he will be assassinated during his .iourney and the Government thereby disgraced. I heard threats against him everywhere on the road. General Marshalls brother writes to inc from New Orleans to know whether the law has been amended as you desired in order to give a quartermaster as well as commissary to each brigade, and whether he has been appointed. If the law has been amended and he has been appointed I would like to know, so as to telegraph him to come on and qualify. Your time is S9 valuable that I have not intruded ~ipon you. My family have come on, and I shall next week go to housekeeping on the corner of Seventh and Clay, and hope to have unofficial visits from you sonic of these days when you can spare the time. I have brought on a large lithographic and engraving establishment for Government use, and will soon be at work upon bonds, & c. I would suggest to you whether a proper design ought not to be made and commissions made upon proper paper. I could get it for you and have it done at a trifling cost; 5,000 blank commissions would not cost, I think, over $I2.~O altogether. If you wish it done I would attend to it for you. Yours, truly, [7.] BLANTON DUNCAN Page 255 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 255 JANUARY 10, 1862. General T. C. HINDMAN, Bells Tavern: The following is a copy of a dispatch just received from General Hardee: Afford General Hindman, if pressed, such assistance as the nature of the service may require. My effective force here and hereabouts is a little over 2,000. I am prepared to execute the order. Hope to hear from you every few hours. [7.J JOHN C. BRECKINHIDGE. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Richmond, January 11, 1862. PRESIDENT OF THE CONGRESS: SIR: I herewith transmit to the Congress a communication from the Secretary of War recommending a certain appropriation therein men- tioned. JEFFN DAVIS. [Inclosure.] WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Richmond, Va., January 10, 1862. The PRESIDENT: SIR: During the past summer Major-General Polk found it neces- sary, on some emergencies, to borrow money temporarily from the banks in Tennessee, amounting in all to $390,000. These sums, advanced to quartermasters, have been repaid out of the regular appropriations; but General Polk agreed to pay interest, and as this was without authority of law I have of course been without power to make the payment. The total amount borrowed is shown by Statement A, inclosed, and the i~tcrest due is shown by Statement B, and amounts to $6,466.43. As this money was advanced for the purposes of public defense, at a time when mechanical embarrassments in the engraving and preparation of Treasury notes prevented the prompt supply of funds necessary for the support of the Army, I beg respectfully that you transmit to Congress this recommendation for an appropriation of $6,466.43, to be applied to the payment of said interest.* I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. P. BENJAMIN, & eretary of War. [Snb.inclosnre No. 1.] STATEMENT A. QUARTERMASTER-GENERALS OFFICE, Richmond, Va., January 10, 1862. Statement of the amount remitted to General Polk to pay the banks for liabilities con- tracted by him, the funds for which were adeanced by Bank of West Tennessee: In bonds $10, 000 Treasury notes 165,000 Branch of the Union Bank: In bonds 20,000 Treasury notes 55, 000 Branch of the Planters Bank 45, 000 Bank of Memphis 50, 000 Branch Bank of Tennessee 45, 010 Total 390,010 See Polk to Myers, January 12, 1862, Vol. VII, p 830 Page 256 256 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA~, & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. [Sub-inclosure No. 2.] STATEMENT B Statement of interest due the banks at Memphis, Te~n., by Maj. Gen. Leonidas Polk. Bank of West Tennessee, as per statement $2, 760.94 Bank of Memphis, as per statement 1,050.00 Branch of Union Bank, as per statement 1, 300.66 Branch State bank, as per statement 664.00 Planters Bank, as per statement 690. 53 Total 6, 466. 43 The above account is approved, and I recommend its payment. L. POLK, Major- General, Commanding. [7.] HEADQIJARTERS CENTRAL ARMY OF KENTUCKY, Bowling Green, January 20, 1862. Brigadier-General FLOYD, Commanding: GENERAL: I am instructed by Major-General Hardee to say that for the purpose of carrying out the purposes contemplated in order of this date issued by the general commanding Westeru Departm ent, a copy of which has been furnished you, the following force in addition to your own brigade is placed at your disposal, viz, that portion of Brigadier- General Buckners division, as follows: Second Brigade, Colonel Bald- win commanding; Third Brigade, Colonel Brown commanding; First Louisiana Cavalry, Colonel Scott commanding; Second Kentucky iRegi- ment, Colonel Hanson; two batteries of light artillery. You will give such orders in regard to the time and manner of moving this force as will, in your opinion, best secure the objects contemplated, calling on Major Smith, chief quartermaster Western Department, for transpor- tation. Very respectfully, W. D. PJCKETT, [7.] Assistant Adjutant- General. Hon. JEFFERSON DAVIS, KNOXVILLE, TENN., January 24, 1862. President, & c.: DEAR SIR: When 1 wrote you a few days since, amongst other things I told you of simultaneous stampedes of the Union men in the direction of Kentucky. I thought at the time that they had news fromthat State of which we were entirely uninformed, and forewarned our bridge of& ers of the necessity of increased vigilance and more guards at the exposed points on the railroads and the provision storehouses, and even suggested the removal of the stores to places of greater security. Large numbers of Tories unarmed and on foot have stealthily withdrawn from nearly all East Tennessee, and are no doubt in the enemy~s service, and if the invasion of the border counties is prosecuted further these refugees will come against us; and acting as pilots through that mountain region will endanger several important points. The disaster to Zolhicofter on last Sunday you have already been informed of. Those of our forces engaged in that fight are returning home one by one in rapid succession, and from many of them I hear that Crittendens whole army is perfectly demoralized and refused to serve under him Page 257 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 257 imputing to his constant inebriation the unfortunate advance of General Z[ollicoffer], and against his own earnest protest. Imputations of a graver character against the loyalty of the commanding officer are freely spoken of in the camp and believed. I hope this latter is without foundation, but the soldiers believe it and assert it, and whether true or false, its effect is the same. His army is disaffected, mutinous, and will never be reorganized under him. And yet these men are brave, patriotic, .and loyal, excepting always those of them late Union men and recruited from that party. These can never be trusted till they are subdued. But I fully believe if an officer could be sent here at once in whose experience, loyalty, and freedom from Union associations and sympathies they can repose implicit confidence, the army can be organized and the invasion repelled. I fully believe that this will have to be done or East Tennessee will be invaded and held, the bridges burned again, and our territorial disintegration temporarily effected. Let a competent man be sent here from beyond the influence of Tennessee politics, known to us as of unquestionable loyaltyone who is perfectly sober, who has had experience in arms, who has enterprise as well as courageand these Tennessee troops now mortified and chagrined at the late disaster and anxious to wipe out the accidental disgrace will rally to his standard and not stop this side of the Ohio. Had Zollicoffer not been ordered to make that unwise advance all would have been now right. We should first have a new commander, a stranger to our people by any antecedents and political sympathies with reconstruction, & c. who will reassure our soldiers, stimulate the efforts of our own people, and impart to them a new vitality, and the late defeat will be converted into victory. If you have not yet accepted the resignation of Pillow he will be able to restore order out of this chaos; but I do not presume to suggest for you or the Secretary of War, but I think it no presumption in me to give my opinion that the necessities of the occasion demand the transfer of Crittenden to another field. I would have also suggested General Elzey, with the hope of getting Colonel Vaughn (who is under him) on our frontier. But I hear, too, that he is not sober, and besides you may not be able to weaken your Potomac line. Many of our friends will telegraph you to-day on this subject. Yours, truly, J. G. M. RAMSEY. P. S.I understand that General Caswell, of this city, is an applicant for the position of brigadier-general. He does not equal in his claims either Colonel Yanghn or Colonel Cummnings, both of whom have expe- rience and capacity, and are original States-rights men, and are entirely temperate. Floyd or Pillow I think should come here at once. ~7j HEADQUARTERS HEAVY ARTILLERY, Columbus, Ky., January 26, 1862. Memoranda of suggestions to be laid before the major-general commanding by the chief of heavy artillery. The guns at Fort Columbus are now all in battle order; the traverse circles are being laid down; all the chassis then will work as well as can be expected. I would now respectfully suggest: First. To have the covered way built as soon as practicable; the bat- teries below blinded in case they should take too much time. A gabion 17 R UVOL LII, PT I Page 258 258 SW. YA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. traverse should be placed between every section (two guns) in order to protect the gunners from the explosion of shells. Second. The police of the fort is in a deplorable condition; the filthy habits of the infantry garrison should be attended to; sinks should be provided in two or three points, and the men punished when at fault with police regulations. Third. I would respectfully again insist npon the drill by squad by company by the whole regiment, and ball practice once a week. This cannot be done unless the artillery corps are relieved from fatigue duty. Fourth. The fongasses intended to protect and cover the Moscow road and one or two other points already indicated to Captain Wintter, of the sappers and miners, must be loaded at once and well protected against dampness. Fifth. The proper wayto increase the efficiency of our fire upon the weakest point (the river) is to lengthen as much as possible our line of fire. I would propose that the following points should be selected as proper situations for batteries: A. The commanding hill on the river known as Hamiltons Point, three gunstwo 64-pounders and one rifled 32-pounder. B. The flag station to cover the Mayfield and Blaudville road and defend the Hamilton battery, besides that to command the main ravine which otherwise might be nsed for a mortar battery by the enemy, one smooth-bore 32-pounder, two rifled 32-pounders. C. I would recommend the addition of two 64-pounders to the navy battery. D. I would snggest the propriety of establishing a battery of heavy guns at the point now occupied by the floating battery. E. The bend of the river below Ruckers battery must be commanded by a six-gnu battery established on the bluff, 350 yards nearer to Crows Point than the farm-house on the hill. That battery, one of the most important, would l)revent the enemys gun-boats from out-flanking our position and shelling the rear and left of our camp. The heaviest caliber must be chosen for that purpose. I would suggest that Colonel Gibsons regiment be encamped around that battery, and that one of his companies should man the guns. F. If any 32-pounder guns can be spared it would be advisable to place two on General Cheathams line fronting on the Moscow Hill. Sixth. The formation of the chain of hills around Columbus is very peculiar. It commences on Hamiltons Bluff and extends in a regular manner describing a semicircle all around our lines, ending at Crows Point. The survey begun by Captain Gray will exhibit this peculiarity, of which the enemy can take advantage to establish his line of attack. Four works of small development are necessary to render this naturally strong position impregnable, to wit: Men 1. The battery on Hamiltons Bluff 120 2. A redoubt on the hill, where fougasse No. 5 is placed, two 6-pounders 60 3. A redombt, with two small lunettes on Clinton Hill, two small caliber (6-pounders) . - 60 4. The battery on Crows Point (letter E) and a work large enough for 380 men (square redoubt) 380 Total 620 Those works being open to our fires, the enemy will not gain any- thing except the position if the works should be taken, and as they flank each other it must be done at a great sacrifice of life. Of course in that case the guns must be destroyed and the works blown up Page 259 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 259 Seventh. The permanent occupation of hickman by the erection of a redoubt on the hill facing the river and commanding the railroad; a battery of four 32-pounders and one battalion of infantry can hold their own until re-enforced. A gun-boat should ever be kept moving between that place and Colnmbus and back to Hickman and down to New Madrid. Eighth. The strategic importance of Island No. 10 is so great that it now becomes indispensable to occupy it strongly and permanently. I will report upon that point to the major-general commanding at an early period. Ninth. I proI)ose, if the major-general should allow me to do so, to report upon the position and the works erected at New Madrid, Fort Thompson, and Fort Pillow. Tenth. During my absence from Columbus I would suggest that Capt. A. Jackson, jr., be placed in command of the battalion as acting colonel, Captain Sterling as acting lieutenant-colonel, and Captain Jones as acting major. These three officers are gentlemen of high tone and energy, fully up to the emergencies. Respectfully submitted to the major.general for consideration. J. TRUDEAU, [7.J Chief of Heavy Artillery. NEAR WHfTESBURG, LETCHER COUNTY, Ky., January 27, 1862. S. COOPER, Adjutant- General: GENERAL: Your telegram of the 24th reached me yesterday,* In obedience to your request to report dispositions there made, I have to state that my infantry regiments are within twelve miles of the village of Whitesburg, on Rockhouse Creek and Carrs Fork of the Kentucky River, and the battalion of cavalry now under command of Lieutenant- Colonel Simms is in the vicinity. All the sick are gathered in the neighborhood, and they amount to more than 300, and are doing well, considering their late exposure to rain and cold. I think it will be best to keep them under shelter until the measles and mumps have run their course. Your order is to fall back to Pound Gap. I suppose my pres- ent position to be a substantial compliance, as there is no food for man or horse nearer to Pound Gap than my present position. Major Thomp- son, whose battalion occupies the gap itself, informs me that he draws all his supplies some eighteen miles. I have occupied Brashearsville without opposition. The whole country is dependent on the salt wells at this place for salt. The Lincolnites had disturbed the manufacture, but now the manufacturing has commenced again. They can make forty bushels a day. I have here some 400 hogs to slaughter so soon as I have the salt made. There are salt wells at Whitesburg where ten bushels per day can be made. I mention these facts because they are of military importance as connected with subsistence. I await your letter by Captain Wade, who has not yet arrived. My views and hopes and wishes were fully communicated heretofore to you. Since I last wrote, Doctor Entler informs me that Captain Cluke, of Clark County, is on the march with 100 cavalry for my headquarters. This is a well-drilled corps, it is said. Capt. Johim Scott has arrived from Carroll County with the information that the young men in my neighborhood at home have organized a regiment of cavalry and are ready to join me so soon as Sec Vol. VII, p. 57 Page 260 260 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. he returns to them. His mission to me was to ascertain if I could fur- nish arms. They have been disarmed. Captain Scott is one of my staunchest friends, and a most reliable gentleman. It is his opinion that if I could l)enetrate to Lexington I could raise a very large force. He says the consternation of the Unionists when I moved forward was absolutely ludicrous, and he says nothing is in my way now but 1,200 troops at Lexington. The snow is on the ground now about three to four inches deep. My mcii must now suffer gathering and shucking corn in the fields. They have no gloves and few blankets or overcoats. I forward herewith the resignation of Maj. Richard Hawes as com- missary of brigade, which I recommend for your acceptance. Now I have neither commissary nor quartermaster of brigade. I would recom- mend Robert Darling, now at Nashville, as a person to be appointed brigade commissary, provided I knew he will accept. I have not con- sulted him. When Major Hawes leaves inc (which he proposes to do the 1st of February) I would be glad to have an opportunity to look around me before any one is appointed to an office so responsible. Could not some officer be assigned to me temporarily l Your instruc- tions by Captain Wade will have an important bearing on this matter, and I will make a nomination. Captain Tipton, who was my aide-de- camp, finding his private business interfering with his duties, has declined and has gone home. I have to request, therefore that the commission to him shall be suspended or recalled, or his resignation accepted to take effect January 23, 1862. His duties were entered upon the 23d of November, 1861. Mr. Jenkins is now acting temporarily as my aide, and I presume will be entitled to the pay for the time he may be so employed. I will iioininate an aide hereafter when I shall know the person suits me. I am, truly, & c., H. MARSHALL, Brigadier- General. The enemy has never advanced beyond Paintsville. [First indorsement.] FEBRUARY 4, 1862. Respectfully submitted to Secretary of War. S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General. [Second indorsement.] QUARTERMASTER-GET~ERAL: Send an officer to General Marshall and send some blankets for his troops, and inform Adjutant-General what quantity is wanted. [J. P. BENJAMIK.J [Third indorsement.] QUARTERMASTER-GENERALS OFFICE, February 6, 1862. Fifteen hundred great coats, 1,500 blankets, 1,500 pairs shoes have been sent to General Marshall. Respectfully, A. C. MYERS, Quartermaster- General. [7. Page 261 ChAP. LXIY.1 CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 261 CAMP BEAUREGARD, January 27, 1862. Maj. GEORGE WILLIAMsoN, Assistant Adjutant- General, Columbus, Ky.: SIR: Since I wrote last I have learned that Colonel Gibsons brigade and Captain Jacksons battery did not follow me, and General Alcorns orders reqniring him to proceed with his command to Union City, I have concluded to retnrn to Columbus to-morrow. I would return directly were it not that we made a forced and ~apid march, and many of the men are so fatigued and foot-sore that it would be impossible for them to march any considerable distance withont giving ont. I will be at Moscow to-morrow by 2 oclock with my brigade. No news has been received this morning from the enemy, and we have no apprehension of being pnrsued. I shall wait for transportation at Moscow unless I receive orders to the contrary from yon. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, iLl. M. RUSSELL, Colonel, Commanding Second Brigade, First Division. P. S.Since writing the above a scont has come in aud reported no enemy between here and Maytield. General Alcorn will leave this afternoon, and says he will have everything safe, so that it will be unnecessary for me to remain longer. I shall leave this afternoon, instead of waiting until to-morrow, and will expect transportation at Moscow early to-morrow morning. Very respectfully, yours, II. M. IR., [7.] Colonel. HEADQUARTERS CENTRAL ARMY OF KENTUCKY, Bowling Green, January 28, 1862. General JOHN B. FLOYD, Commanding, Russeilville: GENERAL: It is certain from information received that the enemy which left Padncah has returned. It may be the intention of General Buell to re-~nforce the command at South Carrollton, and iu this view if it be practicable for you to move against that place it ought to be done promptly. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. J. IIARDEE, [7.] Major- General. AN ACT to aid the State of Kentucky, and for other purposes. The Congress of the Co?tfederate States of America do enact, That the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby directed to issne to the State of Kentucky, upon the application of the Governor and conucil of the provisional government of said State, the sum of $2,000,000 in Treasury notes, to be expended by said Governor and council in raising and organizing for the Confederate service troops in said State, supplying the same with clothing, subsistence, transportation, arms, and ammu- nition. SEC. 2. The sum appropriated by the first section of this act is to be drawn from the Treasury of the Confederate States by the Governor of Kentucky, with the approval of the President of the Confederat Page 262 262 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. States, from time to time, and in such sums as the Governor of Ken- tucky may need to carry out the objects of this appropriation, the Governor filing, before making his requisitions upon the Treasury, with the Secretary of War, estimates showing the purposes and objects to which said sums of money are to be applied. Approved January 29, 1862. [7.] SPECIAL ORDERS, ADJT. AND JNSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 25. Richmond, January 31, 1862. * * - * * * * XVIII. The designation of the hereinafter-named regiments (they being composed of companies from difi~rent States) are changed as follows: Col. John B. Villepignes Thirty-sixth Georgia to be known as the First Confederate Regiment; Col. J. I). Martins Twenty-fifth Mis- sissippi to be known as the Second Confederate Regiment; Col. J. S. Marmnaduks Eighteenth Arkansas to be known as the Third Confed- erate Regiment. * * * * * * * By. command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, [7.] A8sistant Adjutant- General. HEADQUARTERS, Gumberland Gap, February 3, 1862. General S. COOPER: SIR: I deeni it to be my duty to call the attention of the Department to the condition of the command at this post. I have addressed a com- munication to General Crittenden on the subject, but his great distance from us, and his inability with the force lie has to render us any assist- ance will, I hope, be deemed a sufficient apology for thus addressing you. Since the defeat of our forces at Fishing Creek the command here is very much isolated and exposed to attack, both in front and iu rear. There is a report, though not entirely reliable, of a movement of the enemy to the number of 22,000 toward East Tennessee by way of this gap. To meet such a force we have two regiments of infantry with an aggregate strength of 1,200 men; one battalion of cavalry, number- ing 200 men, and one company of artillery. The artillery company is small in numbers, and with little experience and indifferent drill. To man the guns we have would require at least two full companies of artillery, and to fill the chain of rifle-pits would require four or five regiments of infantry. With the force we have we can and will make a determined resistance, but I give it as my opinion in advance that against such a force as is reported to be preparing to move upon us we cannot hold the place. With the addition of two or three regiments of infantry and one company of artillery, we can bid defiance to any force with which we are at all likely to be assailed. I have the honor to be, with respect, your obedient servant, JAMES E. RAINS, [7.] Colonel, Corn~nandi~g Post Page 263 Cir~r. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 263 AN ACT making appropriations for the payment of certain interest due, severally, to the banks at Memphis on advances made by them to Maj. Gen. Leonidas Polk, for the benefit of the public service. Whereas, it appears from the communication of the President of the Confederate States of America, of the 11th of January, 1862, that the following sums are respectively due to certain banks in the city of Mem- p his, Tenn., for interest due on certain moneys by them advanced to M aj. Geii. Leonidas Polk, for the interest of the public service, viz: Bank of West Tennessee, $2,760.94; Bank of Memphis, $1,050; Branch of Union Bank, $1,300.66; Branch of State Bank, $664, and Planters Bank, $690.83, amounting in the aggregate to the sum of $6,466.43, the account of which, as being due to said banks, respectively, as above set forth, is approved by Maj. Gen. Leonidas Polk, and its payment recom- mended by himself and the Secretary of War: Therefore, The Congress ~f the Cor~federate States of America do enact, That there be appropriated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated for the year ending on the 18th day of February, 1862, the sum of $6,466.43; which said sum shall be distributed by the Sec- retary of the Treasury amongst said several banks, respectively, in accordance with the amounts so shown to be due to them by the fore- going statement. Approved February 3, 1862. [7.] FORT DONELSON, February 4, 18621.05 p. m. (Received 5th.) General FLOYD: Gun-boats and transports in Tennessee Iliver. Enemy landing in force five miles below Fort Henry. TILGIIMAK. [7.] MOBILE, February 6, 1862. President DAVIS: M~ DEAR SIR: As a special favor to me I must ask you to read and act upon this letter without delay. I inclose a copy of an order issued by General Bragg.# Of the troops recently in my command here, con- sisting of six regiments and two battalions, two of the regiments were assigned to me by the Secretary of War at the time you did me the favor to appoint me a brigadier-general, viz, the Eighteenth and Nine- teenth Regiments [Alabama]. The Fourteenth Regiment and the Sev- enteenth Regiment, which were also assigned to me, were ordered, the one to Yirginia and the other to Pensacola. These regiments werejust organized and were unarmed when assigned to me. I had authority, however, from the War Office to arm them if possible, and have suc- ceeded in arming the Nineteenth and in arming about half of the Eighteenth, with the certainty of being able in a few days to complete its armament. I had no intimation whatever that the order referred to was to be issued. By it I am entirely separated from the troops whose- confidence and attachment I possessed, and am sent into the interior Paragraphs 2 and 3, General Orders, No. 23, Department of Alabama and West Florida. See Volume VI, p. 815 Page 264 264 Sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. where the enemy can never by possibility penetrate, and where there is an unarmed cavalry regiment and a few companies of unarmed infantry. This disposition had to be made of me in order to give this command to General Gladden, as I ranked him by seniority. The only service I can possibly render at Montgomery will be to play wet nurse to Major Yogdes, General Braggs solitary prisoner of war. Your own manhood would justify me in immediately tendering my resignation. But II appeal to your sense ofjustice, that rare virtue which you possess in a pre-eminent degree, with implicit confidence that you will not per- mit me to be thus disgraced. I do not say that this was General Braggs motive. I will not by possibility so asperse any mans fair name without knowledge of the fact. But this is the effect on nie in the eyes of the country. You gave me this position, as I believe and know, because you were my friend, and I feel that you will not permit me to be thus treated. I shall therefore go to Montgomery in obedi- ence to this order and await your action in the perfect faith assured to me by every attribute of your nature that you will see me righted without delay. With great respect, your friend, L. P. WALKER. [G.j MOBILE, February 6, 1862. Hon. J. P. BENJAMIN, Richmond, Va.: DEAR SIR: Without warning I have been removed from the com- mand of the troops here and sent to Montgomery, Ala., by order of General Bragg, a copy of which is inclosed* I have expressed myself fully to the President in a letter this day written to him. You know the circumstances under which I came here, and why the troops assigned to my command were temporarily turned over to General Bragg. I have never doubted that you would order me to Kentucky when these troops Were armed, as you have more than once assured me you would do. General Bragg knew this fact, for I so informed him. This could only be prevented by separating me from the brigade and transferring it to General Gladden, who was promoted at his request. I am not only left without a command, to be ridiculed and laughed at by those who do not hesitate to do more than ridicule yourself, but am sent into the interior with a sure tenure upon life, without insurance, safe against every danger, where the enemy would never think to go, and if he did, where there would be no troops to command. No hon- orable man would dare to hoid such a position a day beyond your approval of this order. I have not the presumption to ask that the necessities of the service shall be made to yield either to my wishes or my convenience, but I am justified, both by our official and personal relations, to ask for justice at your hands. I do not waver in the belief that you will render it promptly and fully. The brigade which was assigned to my command has been disintegrated. I do not ask you to reunite it. There are, nevertheless, two regiments here attached to me by the strongest tics, the Nineteenth, commanded by Colonel Wheeler, and the Twentieth, commanded by Colonel Garrott. I ask it as an act of justice that you order me to Kentucky, either to Bow- ling Green or Columbus, and that you permit these regiments to go See Vol. VI, p. 815 Page 265 CuAr. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 265 with me. My condition is such as to warrant me in the hope that you will not delay action in the premises. I am, dear sir, very truly, L. ~. WALKER. [6.] BOWLINe- GREEN, February 6, 1862. General FLOYD: Fort Henry has fallen, says Colonel Head, commanding Fort Donel- son. Bridge over Tennessee destroyed, says telegrah operator. You had better keep yourself informed of the state of affairs in Clarksville through General Pillow, as you move. For General Johnston: W. W. MACKALL, [7.] Assistant Adjutant- General. CONFIDENTIAL.] HDQRS. CENTRAL ARMY OF KENTUCKY, Bowling Green, February 7, 1862. General T. C. HJNDIuAN, Gomnwnding Advance Forces: GENERAL: It is desirable that you should at once send all your sick and baggage here. The loss of the Tennessee River and the probable loss of the Cumberland renders our position here not so formidable, and it may be necessary for us to change front. Talk loudly of an advance as the only means of extricating us, that is, if you talk at all, and our invincible determination to hold on to Bowling Green at all hazards and to the last extremity. I suppose, of course, the enemy has heard of the fall of Henry. You had better draw nearer to us; not nearer than Oakland. With high respect, your obedient servant, W. J. HAIIDEE, [7.] Major. General. HDQRS. DEPT. OF ALABAMA AND WEST FLORIDA, Mobile, Ala., February 8, 1862. ADJUTANT-GENERAL C. S. ARMY, Richmond, Va.: SIR: I find nothing special here requiring a report, but a few remarks on the condition of affairs may be of use and interest to the Department. The necessity for the removal of Brigadier-General Walker from a posi- tion in which he was doing no good and so much harm is more apparent than ever. My order for the establishment of his headquarters with his troops in camp some twelve miles from the city, given some time before my visit here in December, has never been obeyed. The brigade of 6,000 men has had no head, no organization, no instruction, and no (liscipline. Drunkenness and demoralization have been the conse- quetice. In this matter Brigadier-General Withers is not blameless, but I deem any further action unnecessary at present, as a very marked change has ta 1 ei~ place since the arrival of Brigadier-General Gladden. The commands at the forts, thanks to Colonel Powell, are much im- proved, and I feel sufficient confidence in those positions now to enable me to devote more iueaiis to a line of interior defense for the city, to be used in the event of the enemys gun-boats getting into the Bay o Page 266 266 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. Mobile. By reference to the chart it will be seeii how readily light- draft boats with good pilots and a daring commander might mu the gauntlet at night, thus menacing the city and cutting off our water coni- nmunication with the forts. Several additions have been projected to the slight defenses already thrown up for this interior line. All my resources, however, are utterly inadeqnate to the full accomnplishiznent of the object. A battery is necessary, too, at the town of Blakely to prevent a passage around in that direction, by which our communica- tion might be intercepted with Pensacola and Montgomery. Some mems will be drawn again from Pensacola, which necessity only will justify. If the reqnisition fbr gnns made a mouth ago on the Urduance Department could be filled we should be comparatively secure. I give the enemy more credit for prudence than to suppose he will attempt a land attack here as long as we have free connection with Pensacola. A glance at the entrance of the bay of Mobile will show the disadvan- tages under which we labor there from distance. Efforts are being made, but with only slight hopes of success, to obtain means to locate a floatimig battery on the middle groummd there. 1 would, however, recoin- mend the immediate constructioim of a work midway between Forts Mor- gan and Gaines capable of mounting six or eight guns. It could be done rapidly and cheaply by l)iling and earth-work, using the labor of troops, and would serve as the basis of a future work of importance for the defense of this harbor. Captain Randolph, C. S. Navy, has arrived and will no doubt remove the difficulties heretofore existing in that branch of the service. Telegraphic dispatches from sources entitled to confidence inform me a naval expedition of some twenty-five light- draft gun-boats is on its way to attack this point. We shall use all diligence to be ready. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, BRAXTOK BRAGG, [6.] Miajor. General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DEPARTMENT, Bowling Green, Ky., February 8, 1862. General HARDEE, Commanding Bowling Green: General Johnston directs you to order Brigadier-General Floyd to send a battery to [re]port to Brigadier-General Pillow at Clarksville. Tenn. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. W. MACKALL, [7.] Assistant Adjutant. General. BOWLING GREEN, February 8, 1862. General FLOYD: Although the employment of your forces after arriving at Clarksville has beeui left to yonr discretion, I deem it proper that you ascertain whether the enemy will hold his force to attack Fort IDonelson in con- junction with gun-boats or move them against Cla.rksville (lirect. W. W. MACKALL. [7 Page 267 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 267 HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, February 8, 1862. General FLOYD: SIR: We have heard firing down the river. As we are on the out- 1)ost it becomes my duty to inform you of the fact at once. I have posted the necessary infantry pickets, and would suggest that a cav- alry detachment be sent over immediately and sent as a scouting party down the railroad iu the direction of the bridge recently destroyed by the enemy. I have also heard that the enemy are landing troops at that point. These facts and suggestions are respectfully submitted for your consideration. Respectfully, your obedient servant, JNO. MCCAUSLAND, [7.J Colonel, Commanding A~econd Brigade. BOWLING GREEN, February 9, 1862. General FLOYD, Clarksville: General Beauregard recommends you to make as many small trav- erses aspossible in your works for protection against shells. Construct them of sand-bags if you have them; otherwise of timber filled in with earth. XV. J. HARDEE, [7.] Major- General. KNOXVILLE, TENN., February 10, 1862. Hon. JEFFERSON DAVIS, President, & c. SIR: Let me suggest that y6ur Government has the meat of 100,000 hogs at several points along our railroad from Bristol to Chattanooga. If East Tennessee is invaded (which I fully believe can be done in any forty-eight hours under an enterprising leader and a force of cavalry) these stores of provisions ought to be sent to upper Georgia, or certainly to Chattanooga, by steam-boat or rail, or both, or some one should be authorized to burn and destroy it rather than to allow the enemy to get it. Let me suggest, too, that the forces here be not removed to any point out of East Tennessee. I hear that Colonel Gillespies regiment expects in a few days to join General Crittendens headquarters via Nashville. When he takes thus one-third of our small force from this point it will invite the enemy to make an immediate raid upon us, capture this post, take possession of onr roads, bridges, and supplies. Can you riot therefore countermand any order by which Colonel Gillespie, or any other commander here in East Tennessee, is directed to march his troops out of this threatened section? I hope a former suggestion has been received and acted upoP, viz, to send some efficient commander to this point. We, the secessionists riot regularly enrolled, have determined to act as minutemen when the invasion takes place, and there is no one here fitted by experience and position, & c., to rally around. The country is perfectly defenseless, riot troops enough to guard the public stores, below 3,000 men all told, and one-fourth of these unarmed, and these not concentrated, but at Cumberland Gap, or at our bridges, or scouting near the largest passes across the mountain. Then, two-thirds of th Page 268 268 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. masses are either hostile or neutral, If Floyd or even Colonel Vaughn was here to issue orders and get us organized we can do something to repel a small invading force. As it is, we cannot see what to do or where to go. Dc have some efficient and enterprising officer sent here at once and re-euforcements and private citizens can form a nucleus around which we can rally. I have not the first doubt of your ultimate success, but this valley, these railroads, it seems to me, ought to be specially guarded. God is on our side, but the instrumentality of man is to be resorted to also. In haste, your obedient servant, J. G. M. RAMSEY. [Indorsement.] Acknowledge. Assure that all and more than is suggested has been directed, of whicli he will be farther advised by Secretary of War. Secretary of War for reply. J. D. [7.] FORT DONELSON, February 8 [10], 1862. General FLoYn: I reached this place in time to walk through the work before dark. The works are not completed, nor do I consider them well conceived. But I find them fully as well prepared for defense as I expected. I will push everything with all the energy I can command. The trouble is the want of everythingtools, lumber, and the necessary equipments of the artillery. From the imperfect examination of the ground and its surroundings I feel very confident of holding it against an assault by infantry, and if I am allowed time to complete the works and mount all the guns I have confidence in being able to resist an attack of their gun-boats if they are vulnerable to all metal. The enemy are reported in strong force both sides 6f the Tennessee River and on the road approaching this place. He still occupies Fort Henry and holds Tilgh. man there yet. Their body of infantry is still below Fort Henry. It is said by scouts and citizens that there are two gun-boats eight or ten miles below here. It is absolutely necessary for the health of the troopsthat their tents shall be pushed forward as rapidly as possible, and I shall stand in great need of General Buckner. Will you order him down as early as possible. I will communicate more fully to-morrow, and advise you by telegram via Cumberland City and couriers fre- quently that you may keep General Johnston well informed of our con- dition and wants. Your obedient servant, GID. J. PILLOW, [7.] Brigadier. General, C. S. Army. FORT DONELSON, [February 10,] 18629 oclock. Brigadier- General FLOYD: I have reached this place and find everything quiet. Enemy said to be [in] force on Tennessee River, and two gun-boats ten miles below. I have written you. GID. J. PILLOW, Brigadier- General. [~~ Page 269 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 269 FORT DONELSON, February 10, 1862. General FLOYD: I request that you send General Buckner and Colonel Brown down immediately, as they are greatly needed. CTID. J. PILLOW, [7.] Brigadier- General. CAMP BEAUREGARD, February 10, 1862. Major-General POLK, Headquarters First Division, Western Department: I have just received a dispatch from Lieutenant-Colonel Miller, dated six miles east of Paris, 12 in. yesterday, in which I am directed to send a messenger to you informing you of the condition of the command at this place and also his condition. He states he needs cooking utensils, tents, & c.; that he had received dispatches from you, and that nothing was said about the time he should return. Upon the subject of his return he wished information. My own and Captain Clays companies were detailed to remain here in charge of this encampment in the absence of Colonel Miller. A portion of Major Kings command, num- bering about sixty men, including the sick, ten men from Captain Stocks, company, and a few others were also left. The number of effective men remaining here does not exceed 150, including a portion of Major Kings battalion, not armed. All the baggage, camp equipage, commissary, and quartermasters stores are still remaining here. Lieu- tenant-Colonel Miller gives me no orders in his dispatch, and says he does not know what disposition you may make of the force remaining here. He further states that the bridge over the Tennessee iRiver was burned on the night of the 8th instant; that the enemy with their gun- boats and 500 men were there; 2,000 infantry and 600 cavalry occupy the banks of the river opposite Fort Henry, with two pieces of artillery. Everything quiet between here and Paducah, so far as I am informed. Very respectfully, your obedient servamit, li. A. PINSON, [7.] Captain, Commanding Post. BOWLING GREEN, February 11, 1862. General FLOYD: I give you full authority to make all the dispositions of your troops for the defense of Fort l)onelson, Cl arksville, and the Cumberland you may think proper. Acknowledge receipt of this. A. S. JOHNSTON. [~~1 BOWLING GREEN, February 11, 1862. Brigadier.General FLOYD: Twice to-day I have telegraphed to you to command all the troops and use your judgment. Your report of the effect of our shot at Henry should encourage the troops and iiisure our success. If [at] the long range we could do so munch damage, with the necessary short range on the Cumberland [we] should destroy their boats. A. S. JOHNSTON. [7. Page 270 270 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. GLADESYILLE, VA., February 11, 1862. [General J. E. JOHNSTON:] DEAR GENERAL: Your very kind letter came to hand on yesterday, and I hasten to answer it. You will receive my kindest thanks for your interest manifested for me in Richmond, and you may rest assured that I shall never forget it. Bradleys and Tiptons commissions have come to hand. Their recommendations were sentfromCastlewood on General Marshalls way to the Pound. My recommendation was not sent until bis arrival at the Pound. I saw time recommendation myself. I hope before this timo the Department has issued mine. Please call and see. The enemy are now in force at Piketonabout 6,000. They have come up in steam-boats of a larger class than has navigated the Sandy before. They have brought up provisions for 10,000 men for seventy days, horses, wagons, & c., enough for an inland expedition, and I am satisfied they intend making a demonstration on Pound Gap within the next ten days. Our spies caine in last night and reported all the facts. In our present condition I think this is the darkest day of our existence as an army. I have been with it (as you know) from its organization, and never ha.ve doubted, until now, of our ability to repel the foe. The battle of Middle Creek has taught the enemy not to attack us with anything like an equal force, as yQu know in that fight they were five to one, and I am confident from all I can see and learn their force will be 10,000 when they shall march again, and I ask you as a military man, how can our small, starved force meet such an enemy? Colonel Williams is at our old camp, near Robinsons, at Pound [Gap]. fle looks as cheerful in the presence of these difficulties as if no great events were passing around, He says the ragamuffins are ready and willing to dispute every inch of ground from Pound Gap to Abingdon. General Marshall, I thimik, looks danger in the face with as much com- posure and coolness as any man I ever saw. He is certainly one of the finest military men inthQ Confederacy. His troops love him dearly, and will at any and all timnes make a gallant fight under him, but we feel this line has been neglected, for some cause, by the Department. I am the last man to complain. I will make this prediction: If we are not soon re-enforced the Yankees will be in Virginia and the railroad will be taken at some point. General Johnston, we must have 10,000 men on this line or we will all go to the devil. Some persons think the enemy will approach Virginia by the way of Levica Fork to Wythe- ville, but I think all the indications go to prove they are coming this route. Our men are suffering very much for the want of provisions-- many of them sick. Colonel Williamus had at one time 394 of his com- mand down at one time, and that was on our march from Middle Creek to Whitesburg. I had nothing but a few old wagons without covers, and some sixty old broken down horses to transport th.em on. It rained every day on ns during the march, and that in torrents, and strange to say we have only lost two men. The Virginia regiments were more unfortunate. I hope you will urge upon the Department the necessity of doing something for us, and that at once. Colonels Triggs and Moores regiments are at or near Castlewood. They are farther from Pound Gap than the Yankees are. This is in consequence of the dif- ficulty of obtaining supplies. The roads are nearly impassable for wagons, and I think our supplies must be brought to us on pack horses or mules, if the Government intends us to occupy this position. John T. Ratcliffe, of Carter County, has just come in with a new company of 100 men; that company is Company A, of a new regiment. If they can get out, more will be [sent] to us by spring, all(l your friends intend you to command, so says Colonel Williams [sic]. I hope you will get Colone Page 271 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE. ETC.CONFEDERATE. 271 Williams commissioned brigadier-general at once, and send it to him. Nothing would please Kentucky so winch. The mail is going out, and I must close by promising you a longer one ill a few days. Write. I am, as ever, your friend, B. C. DUKE. [~~1 BOWLING- GREEN, [February] 12, 1862. General FLOYD, Cumberiand Gity: My information from iDonelson is that a battle will be fought in the morning. Leave a small force at Clarksville aud take the remainder, if possible, to Donelson to-night. Take all the ammunition that can be spared from Clarksville. The forces at Elkford and Whippoorwill bridges have been ordered to Clarksville. A. S. JOHNSTON, [7.] General. BOWLING GREEN, [February] 12, [1862.] General FLOYD, Gumberland City: What number of men have you at Clarksville? What number at Donelson, and what are your means of defense at Clarksville~ Answer at once. W. J. llAJltI)EE. [7.] BOWLING GREEN, [February] 12, 1862. General J. B. FLOYD, Cumberland City: Have ordered two infantry companies stationed at Whippoorwill and Elkford bridges to report to you. W. J. HARDEE. [7.] CUMBERLAND CITY, February 12, 1862. General FLOYD: (Forward to General Johnston, Bowling Green, Ky.) Steam-boat just arrived brings me dispatch from my picket below Eddyville; says gun-boat and transports passed up 10 oclock last night. I have heard ten heavy (lischarges of artillery. I leave imme- diately for IDonelson. Shall suspend order for Buckner to fall back at present. GID. J. PILLOW. [7.] FORT DONELSON, February 12, 1862. General FLOYD, Clarksville: We shall have a battle in the morning, I think certainly, and an attack by gun-boats. The enemy are all around my position and within distance to close in with me in ten minutes march. One gun-boat came to-day and fired fifteen or twenty shells and retired. We gave no reply. I have sent up to Cumberland City for Baldwins two regiments. Fee Page 272 272 Sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. sanguine of victory, though I am not fully ready. I have done all that it was possible to do, and think I will drive back the enemy. GID. J. PILLOW, Brigadier- General, C. S. Army. Operator will repeat to General Johnston and Governor Harris. [7.] GID. J. PILLOW. CUMBERLAND CITY, [February] 12, 1862.] Governor ISHAM G. HARRIS, Nashville, Teun.: One gun-boat made its appearance in sight of Fort Donelson this morning about 10 oclock and opened a fire on the fort without injury, which fire the fort returned, when the boat retired. The Federals have landed in force, and the battle with light artillery commenced this evening. They are reported to have 10,000 or 12,000. We have the same number, probably more, to meet them. The steamer giving this news says when it left the battle was raging, but knows nothing fur- ther. I will telegraph you as fast as the news comes. Generals Pillow and Buckner are there. [7.] R. C. WINTERSMITII. CUMBERLAND CITY, February 13, 18621.30 a. m. General JOHNSTON: I anticipated your order which overtook me here. Shipping the bal. ance of the troops from this point to Fort iDonelson. I will reach there before day, leaving a small guard here. JNO. B. FLOYD, [7.] Brigadier. General. FORT DONELSON, February 13, [1862]9.50 a. m. General JOHNST& N: The enemys gun-boats are advancing. They are in force around our entire works. Our field defenses are good. I think we can sustain ourselves against the land forces. I reached here this morning at daylight. FLOYD, [~1 General. FORT DONELSON, Febru~~~ry 13, 1862. General JOHNSTON: After two hours cannonade the enemy has hauled off their gun.boats; will commence probably again. The attack on our iutrenchments has been feeble, confined almost exclusively to field pieces up to this hour (11.30). JNO. B. FLOYD, [7.] Brigadier- General. FORT DONELSON, February 13, 1862Night. General JOHNSTON: I learn from what seems to be reliable anthority gathered from dif- ferent sources that the enemy are concentrating upon the Tennessee River a force of 50,000 men or even more. They are said to be bring Page 273 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 273 lug re-enforcements~ from the Tennessee here to-night with the view of turning our position and intercepting our boats at Randolph Forge, six miles above us, which is practicable with artillery, then the road to Nashville would lay open to them. JNO. B. FLOYD, [7.] Brigadier- General. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH ALABAMA, Tuscumbia, Ala., February 14, 1862. 11011. J. P. BENJAMiN, Secretary of War, Richmond, Va.: SIR: Since my letter of the 6th instant I have been ordered by General Bragg to take charge of the defenses of North Alabama and the Mem- phis and Charleston iRailroad.* I have established my headquarters for the present at this place, but with the district as r~ow organized it is impossible to adopt any system of defenses at all commensurate with the magnitude of.the interests involved. The Memphis and Charleston Railroad is the very backbone of the Confederacy, and its possession by us is in imminent danger. With this district as now Limited to North Alabama I have no control of that portion of Mississippi through which the road runs, nor of that portion of Tennessee lying on the Tennessee River, and from which not only this road but also the Mobile and Ohio Railroad may be approached. I therefore respectfully and urgently suggest that this district be so enlarged as to embrace not only North Alabama, but the counties of Tishomingo and Tippah in Mississippi and the counties of Wayne, ilardin, and McNairy in Ten- nessee. These Counties of Mississippi and Tennessee are embraced in the department of General Johnston,and I shall write to him to-day embodying these suggestions. But the urgency of the case does not brook delay, and I have felt it to be my duty to approach you directly 011 the subject. The truth is, our generals of departments have such extended fields of operation that it is impossible for them to give the necessary attention to distant points of whatsoever strategic importance. The only troops assigned to me by General Bragg are one regiment of infantry and one regiment of cavalry. The inadequacy of this force is patent to observation, and its remedy lies with yourself. In the counties of Wayne and Hardin, in Tennessee, a large proportion of the popula- tion is in sympathy with the enemy, and either Savannah, in Tennessee, or Eastport, in Mississippi, will be made the base of his operations. In the hope that you will give these suggestions immediate consider- ation, I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, [~~1 L. P. WALKER. FORT DONELSON, February 14, 1862. C cueral JOHNSTON: The enemy have reached the ground near the fort with eight or tea gun-boats, I am uncertain which, and fifteen transports reported to have on board near 20,000 men. They are now landing. This makes their force nearly 40,000 strong. I will fight them this evening. JNO. B. FLOYD, [7.] Brigadier- General. See Yol. /11, p. 872. 18 R RYOL LII, PT I Page 274 274 SW. VA., KY., TENK., MISS., ALA.. W. FLA., & N. GA. rCHAP. LXIY. FORT DONELSON, February 14, 1862. General JOHNSTON: The enemy are assaulting us with a rno3t tremendous cannonade from gun-boats abreast the batteries, becoming general around the whole line. I will make the best defense in my power. JNO. B. FLOYD. Operator at Donelson says gun-boats passed and are right on him. [G. W.] ThABUE, [7.] Superintendent. FORT DONELSON, February 14, 1862. General JOHNSTON: The fort holds out. Three gun-boats have retired. Only one firing now. JNO. B. FLOYD, [7.] Brigadier. General. FORT DONELSON, February 14, 1862. General JOHNSTON: The fort cannot hold out twenty minutes. Our river batteries work- ing admirably. Four gun-boats advancing abreast. JNO. B. FLOYD, [7.] Brigadier-General, C. S. Army. FORT DONELSON, February 14, 1862. General A. S. JOHNSTON: The gun-boats have been driven back. Two, it is said, seriously injured. I think the fight is over to-day. JNO. B. FLOYD, [7.] Brigadier-General, 0. 5. Army. HEADQUARTERS CONFEDERATE ARMY OF KENTUCKY, February 15, 1862. Brig. Gen. T. C. IIINDMAN, Miitcheilville: GENERAL: Your dispatch just received. General Johnston wishes the command to march day and night until the Cumberland is crossed. General Hardee wishes you to reach Nashville at the earliest possible moment. Destroy barracks at Camp Trousdale, but do not destroy quartermasters and commissary stores as arrangements have been made, it is hoped, to remove them to Nashville. Sent you some cheer- ing news to-night from Fort Donelson. By order of Major-General Hardee~ W. D. PICKETT, Assistant Adjutant- General. [7. Page 275 CBAI~. LXIV,] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 275 MEMPHIS, TENN., [February] 18, 1862. Hon. JEFFERSON DAVIS: Fort Donelson has fallen and Nashville will fall into hands of Fed- erals. No stand can be made there. Give me your plans. I will rally all the Tenuesseeans possible and go with them myself to our army. iSHAM G. HARRIS. [Indorsement.] B. N. H[ARRISoN]: File. [7.] J. D. CLARKSYILLE, February 19, 1862. General J. B. FLOYD: Gun-boats coming; they are just below point; can see steamer here. Will try and see how many troops they have before I leave. Lieutenant Brady set bridge on fire, but it is burning very slowly and will prob- ably go out before it falls. XV. II. ALLEN. Any orders for me ~? Answer me promptly, if you please, for next ten minutes, as I will have to go in a hurry when I go. [7.] TUSCUMBIA, ALA., February 19, 1862. General BEAUREGARD, Columbus, Ky.: M~ DEAR GENERAL: Great troubles are upon us, and our recent disasters may compel you to fall back upon Columbus. It seems to me that we can only preserve the unity of the Confederacy by withdrawing oar forces from the Potomac and ~he sea-board and gulf to protect the communication between Memphis and Virginia. The Kentucky line of defense having been lost, the Memphis and Charleston Railroad must be defended at all hazards. This road is the vertebra~ of the Confed- eracy, and the enemy having the control of the Tennessee River from its mouth to this point, can in a week threaten the road from Eastport within eight miles, and Hamburg in twenty-two miles, with a large army. The whole people, both along the line of the road and the river, are in great consternation, and unless something is speedily done to allay the excitement aiid inspire confidence there is danger, should the enemy appear in any force, that the country will be abandoned to his occupation. I have been ordered here to take charge of the defenses of the Upper Tennessee and the Memphis and Charleston road. Now what I desire to say is this, should it be your purpose to fall back from Columbus: I am greatly in need of heavy guns, and it has occurred to me, should this possibility become a reality, that yon might send me some for batteries on the river. Just now it is impossible for me to get them out from Richmond, and unless you can in part supply my needs I can make little or no progress against the enemys approach np the river. If nothing more could be done, you might send me two rifled 32-pounders. My dear general, I have an abiding confidence in your courage, ability, fortitude, and luck. The whole country looks up to you as a forlorn hope. Your name is a tower of strength, and I believe that God has destined you as the special instrument in His hands to work out our salvation Page 276 276 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., w. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. May His omniscience direct and His infinite goodness preserve you, is the earnest prayer of your friend, [7.] L. P. WALKER. MEMPHIS, TENN., February 19, 1862. Hon. JEFFERSON DAVIS: I have ordered out every man in the State who is or who can be armed, but have heretofore gleaned the State for arms. Can you aid me in arming the force of the State? Railroad ordered to hold itself in readiness to transport largest number of troops. [7.] ISHAM G. HARRIS. EXECUTIVE OFFICE, Jackson, Miss., February 24, 1862. General ~?T. T. BEAUREGARD: DEAR SIR: Yours of the 22d instant* was handed me by your brother yesterday. No time or expense will be spared to raise troops. I could send you companies and squads of meii rapidly; if I wait to organize them into regiments weeks must elapse before any considerable force can be sent. Two regiments are now assembling at Meridian, on the MobileandOhioRailroad,which Iwill send as soon as ready for the march. I regret that I cannot speak with certainty of the time re-en- forcements can reach you from. this State. The people are much excited and ready to sacrifice anything necessary for success. There will be no difficulty in raising men, but arms, camp equipage, & c., are almost exhausted. Could you not order camp equipage and supplies to Cor- inth and Grenada in time to meet the troops ordered to rendezvous there? Seven regiments for the war are now being organized into com- panies to assemble at those points. The Secretary of War has prom- ised to arm them, and on his compliance with that promise we mainly rely for the arms for the troops now being raised. I am collecting double-barreled shotguns and hunting rifles to make up any deficiency. If you cau suggest any means of getting more arms or hastening them on from Richmond you would greatly facilitate the re-enforcements. You may rely on anything I can do to make successful your plans. You shall hear from me soon. In the meantime advise me of any change in affairs. This is sent by a messenger. Respectfully, [~~1 JOHN J. PETTUS. SPECIAL ORDERS, ADJT. AND INSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 44. Richmond, February 24, 1862. * * * * * * * VIII. Col. J. F. Fagans First Regiment Arkansas Vohinteers will rendezvous at Memphis, Teun., on the 15th of March next. The colonel of the regiment will report thence to General Albert Sidney Johnstpn, commanding Department No. 2. * * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, [~1 Assistant A~jutant- General. * Sco VoL VII, p. 899, Confidential Circular, dated February 21, 186~ Page 277 CHAP. LXIV~] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 277 HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DEPkR.TMENT, ]Jliurfreesborough, February 24, 1862. Brig. Gen. JOHN B. FLOYD: GENERAL: You will take command of Whartons and MeCauslands regiments and Starnes and Smiths battalions and march with them to Chattanooga, and adopt efficient measures for guarding the approaches to that place against the enemy. You are authorized to muster into service for the war a force sufficient for the purpose. You will corre- spond directly with the War Department. By command of General Johnston: W. W. MACKALL, [~~1 Assistant Adjutant- General. HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DEPARTMENT, Murfreesborough, February 25, 1862. Brigadier-General FLOYD, Commanding: I am instructed by the commanding general to say that 50 SOOII as- Hindmans brigade passes you and leaves the road clear he wishes you to take up your line of march to Chattanooga. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. W. MACKALL, [~~1 Assistant Adjutant- General. SPECIAL ORDERS, ~ ADJT. AND INSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 45. Richmond, February 25, 1862. * * * * * * * XV. The Fortieth Regiment Tennessee Volunteers, under Col. L. M. Walker, will hereafter be designated and known as the Fifth Confed- erate Regiment. * * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, [7.] Assistant Adjutant- General. JACKSON, TENN., February 26, 1862. Maj. Gen. L. POLK, Commanding Forces, Columbus: DEAR GENERAL: By arrangement with Governor Harris the compa- iiies of the Tennessee regiments under your command will be filled up with recruits enough, severally, to take the arms of the non-effective as reported in your return for January. Efficient commissaries and quar- termasters ought to be at hand at Corinth, Grenada, and Meridian, in the State of Mississippi, to provide for the volunteers as they rendez- vous at those places, under the call upon the Governors of the Missis- sippi Valley States, of which I have advised you. Can you provide these officers ~ Camp equipage will be needed. What are your re- sources of this character? if you do not have enough for probable contingencies can a proper supply be gathered in the valley. I inclos Page 278 278 sw. VA., ixT., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. a paper* made out from the return of your forces for January, a copy of one prepared for me, which you may find convenient for reference. Yours, very truly, G. T. BEAUREGARD, [7.] General, C, ~, Army, HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVIsION, WESTERN DEPARTMENT, General G. T. BEAUREGARD, Columbus, Ky., February 27, 1862. Jackson, Tenn.: GENERAL: I have the honor to communicate to you a few facts in regard to the fvacuation of this port, and for further particulars I am obliged to refer you to the bearer, Major Snowden, on account of my indisposition this evening. All of McCowns division (about 3,000 effective men) have gone to re-enforce New Madrid. Re-enforcements ordered from Fort Pillow arrived at New Madrid probably last night or early this morning. Most of my subsistence stores have gone to the rear. My animunition has been forwarded to rear in as large quanti- ties as practicable consistent with the safety of the command. I have dismounted and shipped to the rear fourteen of my heaviest and best guns. - I have the honor to be, general, your obedient servant, L. POLK [7.] Major- General, ~ RICHMOND, VA., February 28, 1862. Hon. JOHN PERKINS, CHARLES M. CONRAD, H. C. CHAMBERS, GUS- TAVUS A. HENRY, and others: GENTLEMEN: Having been specially called upon to reduce to writing my plan for defending the Mississippi River, I herewith submit the fol- lowing brief outline: I state at the outset that I think it would be improper to remove a single soldier or a single piece of artillery from the river above Memphis. On the contrary, our defenses at and above Mem- phis should, if possible, be rendered impregnable without delay. As, however, it is possible that Memphis may ultimately fall into the hands of the enemy, I propose that fortifications of a formidable character be sinmltaneously erected at Helena, Yicksburg, Natchez, Fort Adams, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans. The supply of timber is ample to build frames for casemates, and these covered deeply with earth and sodded with bermuda grass might be made impervious to shot or shell. The question naturally suggests itself, How is this vast system of defenses to be erected in time to resist the advance of the enemys gun- boats I I reply, by the surplus slave labor of the South. As but little cotton will be planted, those who are familiar with the cotton region know that all the open land can be readily cultivated in corn and other grain by the women, boys, and children, thus leaving almost the entire force of men available for work on the proposed defenses. If this plan of bringing to the aid of the Government the able-bodied slaves be adopted, immense results could be sarely and speedily accomplished. When the fortifications are erected the great question will be to furnish them with proper armaments. This can only be accomplished byprompt, energetic, and persevering effort. Let all our large foundries be at once * Not found Page 279 (ixiP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 279 put to work on ordnance and ordnance stores. Let their capacity be increased and air furnaces be erected, so as to meet the urgent demand for the manufacture of heavy guns. Let every furnace within our lim- its for smelting ore be worked to its full capacity, and if necessary let new ones be established. The supply of iron in our Confederacy is alarmingly deficient. Here again the snrplns slave labor in the cotton States can be brought to bear with telling effect. The work of mining and smelting iron and lead ore is very simple, and an adequate supply can only be obtained iu time to meet our wants by resorting to slave labor. By energetic action we can gradually place adequate armaments iii these fortifications one by one, beginning at the one highest up the river. New Orleans, Memphis, and Vicksburg have extensive foun- dries and if stimulated and encouraged they can do much toward fur- nishing armaments for the works. If the proposed plan be adopted, not only will the Mississippi be dotted with frowning batteries, but they can by the same means be erected in the interior of the country wherever needed. Thus our slaves, which our enemies consider an ele- ment of weakness, can be converted into a powerful and reliable means of defense. The fight at Fort Donelson has developed the fact that the boasted invulnerability of the enemys gun-boats is a myth. Every one of the gun-boats was disabled in little over one hour, though the anna- ment of the fort was small and none of the guns were of very large caliber. With batteries such as I propose we can successfully resist the entire fleet of the enemy in the Western waters. If~ however, we should be defeated at one point, we could so cripple their boats as to give our army time to fall back to the next defense below before their boats could advance, and thns contest every strong position on our great river. As matters now stand,if Memphis should fall there is nothing to l)revent the enemys gun-boats from desolating the country on both banks of the Mississippi to within gunshot of New Orleans. The results of an expedition down the river by the enemy no one can estimate. Our slaves in the Valley are generally congregated in large numbers on extensive plantations, the owners of which are frequently non- residents. Consequently the institution loses there in a great degree the patriarchal character it assumes where the master and family reside on the plantation. Deplorable and most disastrous results would surely follow the appearance of the enemys gun-boats in the waters of the Southern Mississippi. We need prompt action. Cannot the Govern- ment be induced to call on the planters without delay for their surplus slave labor to accomplish the end proposed l No one who is familiar with our people can doubt the result of the call. Surely the security of our homes and firesides is worth the effort. Independent of the physical, the moral effect of carrying out the plan proposed will be immense. It will inspire our people who reside on or near our great river with confidence. It may perhaps deter our enemy from making the attempt to descend the river, and it cannot fail to have a salutary influence on our slave population. Respectfully, yours, WM. T. WITHERS. The undersigned regard the suggestions of General Withers of such importance that we respectfully call to them the attention of the Presi- dent. JOHN PERKINS, Jn. P. F. KENNER. LUCIUS J. DUPRr Page 280 280 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. I approve of the general outline of the plan of defending the Missis- sippi Valley suggested by Mr. Withers, leaving the details to be carried out by competent officers, and earnestly recommend that it be carefully considered by the military authorities. C. M. CONRAD. We regard the within suggestions as highly important, and hope they will command the earnest attention of the Administration. A. II. GARLAND, GRANDISON D. ROYSTON, THOMAS B. HANLY, F. I. BATSON, Arkansas. We concur in the foregoing suggestions, and beg leave respectfully to commend them to the favorable consideration of the President. F. BARKSDALE, J. W. CLAPP, J. J. MCRAE, 0. R. SINGLETON, R. DAVIS, Mississippi. [Indorseinent.] SECRETARY OF WAR: The recommendation, so far as of practical execution, seems to be identical with the plan adopted. J.D. [7.] RICHMOND, VA., March 4, 1862. Hon. F. BARKSDALE AND OTHERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENT ATIVES: DEAR SIR: The paper you handed to me on the defenses of the Mis- sissippi presents confirmation of the views on which the Government has been acting as far as practicable. It has no doubt occurred to you and~ others indorsing the paper of Mr. Withers that earth-works without guns and garrisons would be useless, if not injurious. The suggestion to get iron and stimulate foundries seems like mockery to those who have not only tried the method referred to, but others which the writer seems not to have though t of. There are practical difficulties in cast- ing guns not generally understood, and the disregard of which would result in making guns which would be more dangerous to those who use them than to the enemy. If it is supposed by the plan of successive withdrawal that the armament of a fort when unable longer to resist the enemys gun-boats could be removed to a work lower down the river, Iconfess myself ignorant of the method by which that would be accomplished. The letter, with its indorsements, will be referred to the War Department. The executive branch of the Confederate Govern- inent wants many things more than the zeal and energy which Mr. Withers suggests as a remedy for apprehended evils. Very sincerely, your friend, JEFFERSON DAVIS, [7. Page 281 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 281 EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Montgomery, Ala., March 4, 1862. Hon. E. S. DARGAN: DEAR SIR: I inclose a letter to the Secretary of War, which I wish you to read and deliver in person and use your powerful influence in behaff of my application. I need not urge on you its importance. I fear before this reaches you that we will be left entirely to the mercies of the Yankee fleets in the Gulf. You will have fuller and perhaps later information from Mobile than I can give you. All the Confeder- ate land troops have been removed, and if the enemy land in force they can flank the batteries and march right into the city. Pensacola is being dismantled and will be abandoned. Our people in the interior will do the best in our power for protection. I could call ont the militia, but they are badly organized, have no officers of military skill, and but few good arms, and the State has but little amniunition and no commissary or quartermasters stores. If the Government will arm as fast as I organize the new regiments, and employ them for the defense of Alabama, it will help some. Let me hear from you. Very truly, JNO. GILL SHORTER. [Inclosare.] EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Montgomery, Ala., March 4, 1862. Hon. J. P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War, Richmond, Twa.: SIR: In response to my proclamation for twelve new regiments our people are volunteering very favorably, and I hope to have a number of regiments in camp in a few weeks. The contest for positions by patriotic and ambitious men will cause some little delay, which, though much to be regretted, cannot be avoided under the rule for election of officers. I am accepting cavalj~y for one regiment only, and am urging the men to arm with the double-barrel shotguns, but fear that many cannot be had. They must have sabers, which the Confederacy will furnish. Captain Wagner, ordnance officer here, should have them ready in two or three weeks, and saddles and other equipments. They should have pistols, if possible. And now, my dear sir, as Pensacola is to be abandoned, and all the land troops to be removed from Mobile, will you not furnish arms for my infantry regiments and let them go to Mobile as fast as I can organize theme? The knowledge or assurance of this fact would greatly stimulate enlistments. So soon as our people learn that our Gulf coast is abandoned to the enemy they will become greatly excited, and a prompt supply of arms will tend largely to reas- sure the people. We are destitute here now, having sent out of the State all the public arms the State had, and contributed them, with our brave troops, to the common cause. I feel most profoundly the misfortunes which have recently befallen our arms, and the imperious necessity of recovering our losses in Tennessee and Kentucky, and Alabama will bend all her energies to meet the demand upon her patri- otism; but at Pie same time, as far as it is within the power of the Confederate Government, I earnestly insist upon every possible contri- bution for the defense of Mobile and the Alabama River. There is an element of population bordering this river and its tributaries which it is of vital importance to preserve intact. I have established several camps in South Alabama and two in North Alabamaone at Huntsville, and one at La Grange. A quartermaste Page 282 282 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. and commissary should be posted at Huntsville immediately, and sup- plies of clothing sent them without delay. I beg you also to have shipped here immediately clothing for 5,000 men. The State can fur- nish jackets and pants for several thousand, and will aid as far as in her power to clothe all. I hope the proper officers of the War iDepartment will give these matters prompt attention, and I further ask instructions to the Confederate officers here to respond efficiently and promptly to my requisitions in aid of the organizations in progress. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JNO. GILL SHORTER. [First indorsement.] Referred to Quartermaster-General for information. [J. P. BENJAMIN.] [Second indorsement.] As several thousand pants aiid jackets can be supplied in Alabama, 3,000 jackets and pants, 5,000 shoes, and authorized undergarments, are this day ordered to be sent to Montgomery. The station at Huntsville will be supplied when requisitions come in from that place. [A. C. MYERS,1 [6.1 Quarterma8ter- General. KNOXVILLE, TENN., March 7, 1862. General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va.: SIR: On receiving your orders by telegraph to re-enforce Cumb-erland Gap I proceeded to that place with the North Carolina Twenty-ninth Regiment and the Georgia Third Battalion. Major Camps battalion of Tennessee Volunteers had been sent forward before the receipt of your orders. The Mississippi Ninthand the Fifth Georgia, having been placed at Morristown, were also ordered forward to the gap under the request of Colonel Rains through Major Lucas, asking for all the troops that could be spared. A part of Captain Latrobes artillery company, with two howitzers, marched to the gap from Knoxville, making, with the artillery attached to the Georgia Third Battalion, a re-enforcement of six pieces. After encountering the most extraordinary floods in the llolston, Clinch, and Powell Rivers these troops arrived at the gap from the 25th to the 28th ultimo, and found everything quiet. Seeing no occasion there for my own services, I have to report my return to this place. The time of the Mississippi Ninth will expire within three weeks, and Camps battalion should be withdrawn to Morristown to make up a regiment. The force at the gap will still be amplefour and a half regi- ments, with six pieces of field artillery. The defensive works at the gap are well located, but not yet wholly finished. The highest points within a reasonable distance have bee~i strongly occupied in order that the lower and more efficient works may not be commanded by the enemy. The garrison is well supplied with arms, ammunition, and meat, but in the present state of the roads will with difficulty be supplied with bread. I conjecture that no attack upon East Tennessee will be made from that side, but that the enemys forces are concentrating upon the Mississippi. Not knowing the views of the flepartment, and having received no orders for defensive dispositions in East Tennessee, and being daily in expectation of the arrival of a general officer who would assume the command, I have refrained from undertaking anything not speciall Page 283 CHAP. Lxiv.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONPEDERATE. 283 ordered by the Department heretofore. Having also turned over the troops of my command to Colonel Rains at Cumberland Gap, I may report myself without a command, and would respectfully ask for instruc- tions. The companies of Gillespies regiment are guarding the bridges. Your obedient servant, D. LEADBETTER, Colonel, Provisional Army, C. S. [Indorsement.] MARCH 11, 1862. Respectfully submitted to Secretary of War: S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General. It is presumed that General E. K. Smith is at Knoxville before this. S. C. [10.] PRIVATE.] LEBANON, RUSSELL COUNTY, VA., March 8, 1862. Hon. JEFFERSON DAVIS, President of the Confederate States of America: M~ DEAR SIR: I want you to know what I dont want to put upon record, officially, through the War Office, and therefore I write again thus directly to you. 1 have been here now nearly a week, and prior to coming here I was three weeks in Wise County, making a month in all since I left the Pound Gap, in person. I have availed myself of every opportunity to study these people, and I tell you they are no better than the people of Kentucky on the other side of the Cumber- land Range. I made a speech to the people here last Monday, county court day, to try to wake them up to the duty of enlisting, as there were several officers here trying to recruit, but they stalz!d as stolidly to accept the draft as if they had no interest on earth in the subject of war. Besides, if everything is not shaped to suit their notions exactly, they predict that there will be found plenty of Union men here; and a fellow says, If the Confederates do (so and so) Ill be for going back to the Union; in a word, doing nothing, willing to do nothing which submits them to loss, or even inconvenience, and threatening, sotto voce, that if they are not indulged, or are molested, they will be for the other side. The men of property are hoarding grain and hay and bacon, and on every side I see unwillingness to lend a helping hand and a disposition to extort and to coin money out of the Govern- ment, so making speculation the order of the day. Now, Mr. Davis, this is but the surface. Under this the soil is Union here just as it is in Northwestern Virginia, and I tell you this is too near the vitals of the Confederacy not to pay to it instant atten- tion and the greatest care. In Wise County I found whole districts of the country as false as could be, and, in fact, I learned from the lead- ing men of the county that the enemy at Pikeville had been furnished with the names of the leading men in Wise, classified as thus: Such to be killed, such to be transported, such to be sworn and let go. They say they found this out through the son of a man who married into the family of one of the conspirators and is dependent upon his father-in- law and is settled on his land. He thinks he renders more service to his friends by being among them a silent detective than he can b Page 284 284 SW. VA., RY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. (CHAP. LXIV. open quarrel with his wifes kindred and their associates. I have the names of at least twenty-five leading men in Wise County who are false to us. While I was there I Could hear of gatherings of Union men, & c., all betokening the trouble we are to have should the forces of the enemy come into this part of the country. I tell you now these peo- ple (at least from here to the Cumberland Range) dont mean to fight, and there is but one way of bringing them into it. We must proclaim martial law over the whole country north of the railroadgive power to your military commanders to call out the militia, and to let those commanders compel the young and able-bodied either to come into camp or to go over practically to the enemy; in other words, to make them fight or fly the country. If I had that power to-day I believe I could bring into camp 3,000 men in about five counties in this sectiou who will not otherwise join at all. All you want is a little coercion now. If you wait this thing will flower into rebellion and hostility when ferti- lized by the warm breath of our adversary. I know my remedy is searching and severe, but my conviction is,it is the only safe course to apply the knife at once and without hesitation, and therefore, as your friend and the friend of the cause in which we are both engaged, I advise it without any reservation. Remember that France in her grandest military era drew her con- scripts from the body of the people by force. We have gone in so far that the bold hand is necessary now, and must be used where the popular will flags. The other party has tried compulsion in Kentucky with eminent success. The way they did it was to arrest a fellow, con- demn him after a trial before a drumhead commission, sentence him to transportation to the prison at Columbus, Ohio, and give him a release from the sentence on condition of his volunteering and going at once into the ranks. Hundredsthousands of ignorant and obscure men were picked up by them iif the State just by this process, and when once passed through the forms of enlistment they were afraid to desert, or they acquired a fondness for the camp and were sent away from home so far they did not know their way back, I dont believe you will ever make good soldiers of men right at home; they must be sent away to pass through the necessary discipline to make them effective. Should I pass again into Kentuckyl want you to give me a inilitarycarte blanche, for nothing else will do there but a clean sweep. I tried the other plan, and it was wonderful to see how ignorant, how apathetic, how utterly unconscious of the despotism which guarded their moral nature those people were in all the country I passed. They were not Union men; they have no opinions at all. They dont know anything, but they were stout, active, and athletic. Sometimes they would join a company and would desert before they had marched twenty miles. I declare I believe 2,000 men, first and last, have been sworn into Williams regi- ment, and now I very much doubt if he could parade 600. His com- missioned officers have repeatedly deserted with their men, and I have had to allow him to strike their names from the rolls and to put others into their places. I know this is irregular, but as the colonel has in this way supplied the places with men better fitted to govern them than those ejected I have not thus far controlled him, because I see the necessity of some absolutism in order to get the regiment into any shape. I have had an awful time since we parted, I assure you, and nothing but the deep devotion I feel to the cause could induce me to prolong the effort one moment. I write to you freely, because I want you to understand my views of the condition of affairs. I have, as you are advised, felt disappointed and chagrined at the course of things i Page 285 CHAP. LXIV.) CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 285 my winters campaign, for I have felt that with a proper backing I could have effected greater results. I am sure it may yet be done, and I am willing to try it, but I confess it is an experiment, and that I am not snre, in the present condition of things, you are able to afford to make it at once. Still, when I look on the picture before me here, I feel that the war had just as well, and better, be carried on over the mountains in Kentucky as to be carried on here. If there, a reverse would only bring ns back to this country; if here, a reverse will be very nearly fatal, for it will pass to our enemy many of the most mate- rial interests of the country, as lead mines and salt-works, and cut off the railroad communication with the Valley of the Mississippi. Why then place the prize next the heart, when it can be as well placed at the extremity of the body where an errant shot will not be fatall I have in a former letter to you placed before you one mode of cam- paign in Kentucky, and only asked 2,000 cavalry to make it successfnl in part. I did not hear from you and the force did not come; of conrse, I concluded you did not approve, or could not lend the force required. I proposed to try it with 5,000 infantry combined with 1,500 cavalry, according to a dispatch to the Adjutant-General. Now that force cannot effect the purpose, because the enemy has some 7,000 or 8,000 already at Pikeville, and meditates a speedy movement into Virginia. He knows just as well as I do what force I have and where it is. I should not be surprised to hear any day that he is in thirty miles of this point and in full march upon the railroad or the salt- works. I have asked for re-enforcements, stating that his column is to be 12,000 men, coming from the head of Sandy, and is intended to co-operate with General Itosecrans from his base on New River. I found that my letters asking for men had found a shelf in the Subsist- ence Bureau of the War Department, and that the Secretary was not conscious I had written at all. If the facts are not known how can the remedy be applied ~ I feel that I have done all I can in giving the information in the l)roper qua4er as to what is going on and what is wanted to meet the exigencies of our situation. I, however, think it due to you, before I yield to what I deem great neglect of me, to apprise you of the conditioii of affairs in my front and in this part of the coun- try, and to suggest to you privately and confidentially, as I now do, the remedy required. It is plain the war will be carried on in this part of Virginia if it is not kept in Kentucky; plain that it had better be kept in Kentucky than to come so near the main communications between the different parts of the South and West. To attack or defend this part wants the force to manage 12,000 men. It is easier to overcome 8,000 now at Pikeville than to drive out 12,000 in sixty or thirty days from this time; easier to keep these people iii order than to rearrange them to loyalty after they have been disturbed and tempted. Suppose the army over in Kentucky. They must employ heavy detachments to face it, and, I am sure, if we would detach from the Southern invasion the way to do it and the place to strike is at the weakest point of the enemy, and that is in Eastern Kentucky. I can move a column into the State so as to keep away from the Sandy, after it has been once cleared, and the enemy must come from the Ohio or the railroad. He will want force, and he will be in an enemys country while moving from that base if the people have half a chance. I do not take any control here, because I suppose I am in the geographical limits of some other comnmammder. I hope that if the Government looks to me for any duty in this quarter of Virginia you will cause me to be advise Page 286 286 Sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. where I am to command and give me a force able to do soinething really useful. I should prefer Kentucky to any other field of enterprise, and to attack the Union men is to defend here. You will take my idea. I could present it much better to you in an hours conversation were I permitted to see you for a short time, but I have asked leave and no notice has been taken of my application, which is tantamount to refusal. Pardon me for recapitulatingfirst, martial law over Virginia in this section north of the railroad; second, compulsory conscription of the people for defense, with leave to call ont the militia expressly extended to the general commanding geographical division; third, 10,000 men here. Your friend and wisher of your good fortune, U. MARSHALL, [10.] Brigadier- General. DECATUR, March 9, 1862. General B. R. JOHNSON: Come here at once prepared to take the field. W. W. MACKALL, [10.] Assistant Adjutant- General. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, ill emphis, Tenn., March 12, 1862. THOMAS JORDAN, Assistant Adjutant. General: Under orders from General Polk certain companies are being organ- ized in this city for local defense. Under the State laws all persons in the service of the Confederate Government are exempt from duty in the militia. The organization cf the said local companies is made upon agreement of service in the cityalone. The call of the Governor recently made upon the militia has had a tendency to swell these home compa- nies. In view of which, and as it is evidently an effort to escape the real duties of the hour, it is suggested that the order to receive such local companies be accompanied with instructions that the Confederate authorities reserve the right to order such companies to such points on the approaches to Memphis as may be necessary to its defense. Those who are unwilling to accept such service should be mustered out of service and be held subject to the umilitia law. As at present managed there is reason to believe that it is too easy a berth. The suggestion is made with the protestation of the Governor of his entire willingness to co-ol)erate in any measure adopted by the Confederate authorities for the public defense. Respectfully, W. C. WHITTIIORNE, [10] Adjutant- General State of Tennessee. NAVY DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Hon. J. P. BENJAMIN, Richmond, March 14, 1862. Secretary of War: SIR: The completion of the iron-plated sloops of war being con- structed at Memphis, Tenn., is of great importance in the defenses of the Mississippi, but they will be delayed for many months unless mechanics $e~ Davis tQ M. rshall, Vol. X, Pa rt II, p. 321 Page 287 CEir. LXTV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 287 can be detailed from the army to work on them. General Polk has been applied to for them in vain, and I respectfully submit to you the expediency of giving an order at once to detail as many men as can work on them until their completion. They are vastly superior vessels to any the enemy has on the Western waters. If the commanding general at Memphis were ordered to facilitate this important work we could launch the first vessel in a few weeks, and they would be of more service than an army of 20,000 men could be. With much respect, your obedient servant, S. li. MALLORY, Secretary of the Navy. [Thdorsement.] Respectfully referred to General Beauregard. The President urges immediate action, and the great importance of the detail within recommended. S. COOPER, [10.] Adjutant and In8pector General. KNOXvILLE, March 14, 1862. General FLOYD: You ~vill report with all your available force immediately at Knox- ville. Bring ammunition. Answer. E. KIRBY SMITH, [10.] Major- General, Commanding. KNOXvILLE, March 15, 1862. General J. B. FLOYD: Remain at Chattanooga until further orders, holding troops ready to move. B. KIRBY SMITH, [10.] Major- General. KNOXVILLE, [March] 16, [1862.] Brig. Gen. J. B. FLOYD: Bring your command as soon as possible upon such cars as you can control. [10.] B. KIRBY SMITH. DECATUR, March 16, 1862. General FLOYD, Chattanooga: MY DEAR GENERAL: You already know by the papers the proceed. ings at Richmond in regard to the fall of I)onelson, and the papers sent by this mail inform you of the course of the President and Con. gress. General Pillow has made a supplemental report.* General Johnston is also ordered to make one in regard to specific inquiries. It will be necessary for him to have a report from you of the transactions between the time he left you in command at Nashville, to bring np stores and blow up the bridges, and until you arrived at Murfrees- borough.t He requests me to ask you to prepare it amid send it on See Vol. VII, p. 285. t Ibid, pp. 270, 427 Page 288 288 Sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIY. immediately. These things are perplexing at this time, when every energy is reqnired for honor and success, and when Johnston is making a most hazardous and daring move to unite with Beauregard and save the Valley; yet the Government, I suppose, is forced to go into it. I regret exceedingly that I had not persisted iu getting you to go on to Richmond immediately. First impressions and right impressions are everything. Your intelligence ~wonld have answered the critics of the House. If you need your telegrams send on to me if you havent copies, and I will send them. A battle seems not far distant. The chances are for one, bloody and decisive, betweeii Corinth and Jack- son, toward Bolivar, covering Memphis. Johnston and Breckinridg~ are well. Your friend and kinsman, W. PRESTON. P. S.Prepare the report in relation to the official inquiries from the Secretary of War immediately and send them on, as General Johnston waits for them. General Pillow has already finished his response. Make separate reports, one in reference to Donelson, the other embrac- ing events at Nashville and till you reported at Murfreesborongh. W. P. [7 and 10.1 EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, ililontgomery, Ala., ]Ifarch 17, 1862. Hon. J. P. BENJAMIN, Secretary 9f War: SIR: Is it possible to get a few thousand muskets or rifles from recent importations or otherwise to put into the hands of my war regi- ments now raising~ We are badly needing these arms on the coast for the defense of Pensacolaand Mobile both, where I am re-enforcing by sending a number of war troops to camp, as well as troops for lim- ited service. An early answer is respectfully requested. Your obedient servant, [6.] JNO. GILL SHORTER. HDQRS. FIRST GRAND DIV., ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Humboldt, March 17, 1862. Hon. J. P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War: I perceive that General Halleck and General Cullum have made their reports of the evacuation of Columbus to their Government, and that they have been published to the world. These reports are inflated, do injustice to truth, and are intended to act upon and influence the worlds mind. I hope our own War Department will give to us equal oppor- tunity of setting that mind right by giving publicity to our statement of the facts. I have sent forward to the Adjutant and Inspector Geit- erals Office my official report of that evacuation, which differs very materially from the reports of the gentlemen above named.* I hope it will be promptly published. L. POLK, [7.] Miajor- General. See Vol. Vii, p. 437 Page 289 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 289 HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DEPARTMENT, Decatur, Ala., llliarch 20, 1862. Brigadier-General BRECKINRID~E: You will proceed with your infantry and artillery by rail to Corinth to-morrow morning at such hour as transportation can be ready. Major Smith, chief quartermaster, will inform you of the hour. Your wagons, unloaded or lightened, will, with your artillery horses, escorted by McNairys battalion, to be furnished by General (Jrittenden, proceed as soon as you can start them by Tuscumbia and Jacinto to Corinth, where they will join you. Take ten days rations for your men. By command of General Johnston: H. P. BREWSTER, Assistant Adjutant- General. The command will be ready to move at an early hour (say one hour after sunrise), but without striking tents until further orders. Amuiu- nition, tents, necessary baggage, and cooking utensils will be carried on the cars. By command of General Breckinridge: GEG. B. HODGE, [10.] Assistant Adjutant- General. JUKA, March 22, 1862. General J. C. BRECKINRIDGE, Burnsvilie: What do you know of the eneiny~ Am credibly informed that they are ten or twelve miles due north of you, and moving toward you. Answer immediately. CRITTENDEN, [10.] Major. General. AN ACT to provide for the further defense of the Bay of Mobile and the Alabama River. The Gongress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the sum of $1,200,000 is hereby appropriated for the further defense of the Bay of Mobile and the Alabama River, to be expended, at the discre- tion of the President, by the Secretary of the Navy; and that the dis- bursement of said money shall be made in the manner provided bylaw for appropriations for the Navy. SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That the President is hereby authorized to raise a corps for the temporary and special service provided for in the first section of this act in the Bay of Mobile and the Alabama River, consisting of a number of men, not exceeding 6,000, and of such commissioned and non-commissioned officers, and of such rank, as the President may deem necessary, who shall severally receive such pay and allowances as he may determine. Approved March 24, 1862. - [6.] 19 R RVOL LII, PT I Page 290 290 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. (CHAP. LXIV. WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Richmond, Va., March 24, 1862. His Excellency JoHN GILL SHORTER, Governor of Alabama, Montgomery, A la.: SIR: Your letter of the 17th instant has been received. In reply, I regret exceedingly to inform you that the pressure of the enemy in Ten- nessee and North Carolina has exhausted the limited supply of arms in the possession of the Government. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEG. W. RANDOLPH, [6.1 Secretary of War. CORINTH, March 24, 1862. Brigadier-General BRECKINRIDG-E, Burnsville: The enemy advancing in some force on the road from Pittsburg to Corinth. Cavalry advanced to Monterey, supported by some regiments infantry, three or four miles in their rear. Send out cavalry scouts on the Farmington road. If you have any information report it.* H.P. BREWSTER, [10.] Assistant Adjutant- General. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF MOBILE, Mobile, Ala., March 25, 1862. General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General, C. S. Army, Richmond, Va.: GENERAL: I inclose with this a printed copy of my order proclaim- ing martial law in this city and surrounding country. The order was issued in obedience to a telegram received yesterday from the Secre- tary of War. I received last evening an order from General Bragg directing me to turn over my command here to Colonel Powell and proceed to Corinth, Miss., and report to him for orders. General Bragg was not aware, perhaps, when he gave the order that Brigadier- General Butler, of the militia of this State, had been called with his brigade into service, and is now on duty here. His order to me admits of no delay, and I shall leave on the first train, leaving General Butler in command. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, SAM. JONES, Brigadier- General. [Inciosure.] GENERAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF MOBILE, No. 19. 5 Mobile, March 24, 1862. By the authority arid in the name of the President of the Confed- erate States, martial law is hereby proclaimed in the city and county of Mobile, in Baldwin County, Ala., and so much of Jackson County, Miss., as lies east of West Pascagoula River, and the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus is suspended within the limits above mentioned. The jurisdiction of the civil courts within these limits is suspended so * For reply, see Breckinridge to Brewster, Vol. X, Part II, p. 363 Page 291 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 291 far oniy as it may conflict with the military requirements of the Gov- ernment, but in all other respects such jurisdiction is continued as heretofore.* By command of Brig. Gen. S. Jones: CHAS. S. STRJNGFELLOW, [6.] Assistant Adjutant- General. CORINTH, March 25, 1862. General BRECKINRIDGE, Burnsville: General Johnston directs me to say that our information is that there were only two regiments infantry and a squadron of cavalry of enemy at Monterey, and they have retired. By order of General A. S. Johnston: [10.] GEG. W. BAYLOR. JUKA, [March] 26, 1862. Brigadier-General BRECKINRIDGE, Bnrnsville: The brigade is ready, awaiting transportation on train coming from Burnsville. Hurry it off. The brigade will move as soon as it arrives. CRITTENDEN, [10.] Major- General. JUKA, March 26, 1862. Major BREWSTER, Corinth: Enemy fired eighteen shots and retired by 9. No damage done us. Enemy landed on ridge between Hamburg and Bnrnsville road and Yellow Creek, due north of Burnsville, and advanced five or six miles on Burnsville road, and have large force. CRJTTENDEN, [10.] Major- General. IUKA, March 26, 1862. Brigadier-General BRECKNIRIDGE, Burnsville: Have no other news from enemy than that already sent. They retired after firing eighteen shots yesterday and have not been seen since. CRITTENDEN, [10.] Major- General. JUKA ROAD, Near Eastport, March 26, 18621 p. at. [General BRECKINRIDGE:] We disabled one of the enemys gun-boats (the Lexington, it is sup- posed) yesterday morning at 10 a. m. No movement of any kind on part of the enemy has been reported to this hour. Our pickets are stationed on the mouth of Yellow Creek or Indian Creek; have reported * See Benjamin to Jones, March 23, 1862, Vol. VI, p. 866 Page 292 292 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. nothing since yesterday. The two 24-pounders, one out four miles below Eastport, are being removed this morning to Juka by order of Major- General Crittenden, and the two infantry regiments (the Twenty-second Mississippi and Twenty-ninth Tennessee) will immediately follow. Eastport will be evacuated by 4 p. m. Lieutenant-Colonel Arnold, of the Twenty-ninth Tennessee, is commanding the post, but he being absent superintending the removal of the cannon, I have the honor to make this report to you. F. SCHALLER, Lieutenant- Colonel, Commanding Twenty-second Mississippi. [I SPECIAL ORDERS, ADJT. AND INSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 70. * Richmond, ]Iliarch 27, 1862. * * * * * * XV. The Third Battalion of Cavalry, under Licut. Col. William Brazelton, Jr., with the companies of Captains Mdllenry, McCaskill, Bledsoe, and Sanders, are here by organized into a regiment to be known and designated as the First Regiment Tennessee Cavalry; col- onel, William Brazelton, Jr.; lieutenant-colonel, James F. Brewer. * * * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, [10.] Assistant Adjutant- General. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT No. 1, New Orleans, La., March 28, 1862. General G. T. BEAUREGARD, Jackson, Tenn.: DEAR GENERAL: I have your note of the 25th. I will endeavor to procure for you the wire between Hausborough and Mobile, and also twenty miles of wire here in New Orleans for the line between Meridiau and Corinth. There is, however, telegraphic communication between those two places via Jackson and Grand Junction. As to the ammu- nition furnished the Louisiana troops, when Louisiana seceJed a con- siderable quantity of powder belonging to the Federal Government was taken, and this was made up into ammunition for field guns and small- arms, a part of which has been issued to troops leaving here. Until I took command here no powder was ever tested, but since that time I have received some that did not come up to proof range. All that has been furnished out of my stock I know is good. 1 have sent 5,000 pounds to Memphis, 5,000 to Columbus, Miss., 1,000 to the Washington Artillery, and 9,000 to Captain Humphreys, at Baton Rouge, besides 6,500 pounds to the navy, part of which Commodore Hollins has used. All the powder that I have received has been unserv- iceable and had to be reworked. The ammunition made up by Gov- ernor Moore I am afraid was of old powder which had lost much of its strength, but this was all made up before it came here. That made in the past four months averages 275 yards with the 6prouvette. The enemy has nine ships (steamers) inside the passes and fifteen schooners, supposed to be mortar vessels, outside, so we may expect hot work here soon. General Polks flags will be sent on to-morrow to him. They are just finished. Yours, truly, M. LOVELL. 110. Page 293 CHAP. IXTV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 293 SPECIAL ORDERS, ~ ADJT. AND INSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 72. Richmond, March 29, 1862. * * * * * * * XXIV. Capt. J. W. Andersons company light artillery will proceed without delay to, Teun., and report for duty to Maj. Geii. E. K. Smith, commanding. * * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, [10.] Assistant Adjutant- General. JUKA, 2lfarch 30, 1862. General BRECKINRIDGE, Burusrille: Heavy firing heard from gun-boats at Eastport. G. B. CRITTENDEK, [10.] Major- General. SPECIAL ORDERS, ~ ADJT. AND JNSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 73. Richmond~ March 31, 1862. * * * * * * * XYII. Maj. Gen. Samuel Jones, commanding Department of Ala. bama and West Florida~ will turn over to the Navy Department such of the guns which have been removed from Pensacola as can be spared * * * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, [6.] Assistant Adjutant- General. APRIL 1, 1862. General J. C. BRECKINRIDGE: March two brigades [at] Ramers Station, with two batteries, to Inka Springs, carrying two days rations. Dont wait to cook. Inspect to see all is in order for action, and all present. The enemy has landed at Eastport, and is advancing on Inka. A regiment of cavalry leaves here. Keep two companies to cover your front, and urge forward the balance. Where are McNairys and Gordons cavalry commands ~ BRAXTON BRAGG. [10.] IUKA, April 1, 1862. General BRECKINRIDGE, Burns ?ille: The enemy have landed fonr trausport loads at Eastport. Those landed at Chickasaw have dropped down to Eastport. I think no danger to the bridge. No move of the enemy on land to-night, and but one large transport has come up since dark. G. B. CRITTENDEN, [10.] Major- General Page 294 294 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. Brigadier-General BRECKINRIDG-E, IUKA, April 1, 1862. Burnsville: Send me a brigade immediately. GEG. B. CHITTENDEN, [10.] Major. General. [APRIL 1 AND 2,1862.For reports of Commissary-General and Quar- termaster-General, C. S. Army, relative to losses of stores incurred at Forts Henry and I)onelson, Fishing Creek, and on lines of retreat from Columbus, New Madrid, Bowling Green, and Nashville, see Series IV.] [7.] UNION CITY, TENN., April 1, 1862. General POLK, General CHEATHAM, and Colonel PICKETT: GENTLEMEN: Perhaps it may not be amiss for me to give you some of the particulars of the Lincolnitish advent into this city. On yester- day morning at early breakfast time, and before our cavalry had time to finish their morning repast, Mr. Charley Gibbs came iu haste from. his house and gave information that the enemy were in force making their way to our camps. The enemy were so close upon his heels that neither cavalry nor infantry had time to make any preparation for bat- tle and a general flight took place, and many of the cavalry did not have time to saddle their horses and ran and left them tied. The infantry took to their heels. The flight became general. The enemy fired many volleys of mnsketry. They had bnt four pieces of light artillery and discharged them several times. None of our men killed or wounded. Two horses were killed on the field. Lieutenant-Colonel Tillman deserves a good deal of praise for his endeavors to rally and form his fleeing soldiers. He three times formed two companies of American-born soldiers in line of battle away from the field. The Irish element of his command would not and did not form in line of battle but fled precipitately in such directions as offered the greatest safety to themselves. What went with the cavalry I cannot tell. One wagon and team was taken by the enemy, that I know of. I think about thirty horses and mules fell into their hands. From the best that I could see I think between thirty and forty of our men fell into their hands. The whole affray did not last over one hour or one hour and a half before they all left. The last that I saw of Colonel Pickett he was making speed to the field of battle. What became of him and Major Woolfolk after they passed me toward the field I cannot tell. The enemy, I think, could not have been over 1,500 or 2,000 all told. The enemy first formed near the railroad in the woods and along the open field on the left of our entire encampment. They moved their cavalry and artillery into the field and began their fire on our men. They advanced and formed in the valley below, between the (our) cav- alry and infantry, and would not (did not) ascend the hill or elevation on which our infantry were quartered. They moved north in the val- ley and field so as to get beyond to the north of our entire encampment. There they formed in line of battle. Their artillery, as soon as they found that our soldiers had not formed in line east of our encampment, moved up to the top of the elevation on which our cavalry were quar- tered and opened fire again with their cannon, the balls and shells whistling overhead Page 295 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 295 Soon the entire encampment was enveloped in one sheet of smoke and flame, the soldiers houses being set on fire by the enemy. The tents of the cavalry were also nearly all burnt to the ground. The rail- road cars, say some half-dozen, were at the depot here, and two locomo- tives, one of which had steam up, the other not. The one that had steam up backed up to the one near the depot and hitched to her and put steam [on] and off they went south. The enemy seeing this turned loose one of their cannon after the fugitive train, but they had to ele- vate their gnu so high that the balls did no harm to the train, I think. This brought the enemy down to the depot. They found two cars there still, one a passenger car, and the other perhaps not but was reported to contain clothing for the army. This car was set on fire by the enemy, and after it was well on fire the enemy left. This burning car was loosened from the passenger car and run down on the track to the end of the switch and burnt up and all its contents. After the tents and camps were well on fire the enemy formed in a large body in the valley near where the cavalry had been quartered, and, as I think, held a con- sultation of some fifteen minutes. Then they all moved off and went back the road they came to Hickman. The position that I occupied at the south side of the field gave me a full view of all that was passing. As soon as the enemy started to leave the field I immediately went in amongst the burning camps and tried to save as much as possible of the soldiers eikcts from the flames. I succeeded in saving six boxes of cartridges that had not been opened, and have them, I hope, safe and subject to your order. A great variety of things were saved from the flames by the citizens. I think the enemy took a good many of our arms, but how many I dont know. Tents, soldiers clothing, arms, and ammunition were destroyed. One case of surgical instruments was rescued in good order by a citizen. A gold watch, I think, was taken by some person. I think I can find out who,if I had orders to do so. If ordered to do so, I will take charge of such effects as the authorities may order. The order must be positive for any one that has any articles to deliver them up. I think that many guns were thrown away by the soldiers that may be recovered. There was a great destruction of prop- erty by the enemy. All our soldiers must have been left destitute of everything except what they had on. I directed several tents to be taken down before the fire reached them; some were saved. The enemy must have been piloted through to our camps by persons who knew the country well. The telegraph instruments were broken, but not taken away; can soon be repaired, I suppose. Excuse this hasty sketch. Respectfully, yours, A. D. CUTLER. P. S.No private property interfered with. [10.] SPECIAL ORDERS, ADJT. AND INSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 75. Richmond, April 2, 18G2. * * * * * * * XVI. Brig. Gen. John II. Forney will proceed without delay to Mobile, Ala., and report for duty to Maj. Gen. Samuel Jones, com- manding. By command of the Secretary of War: [6.] JNO. WITHERS, Assistant Adjutant- General Page 296 296 sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. JUKA, April 2, 1862. General BRECKINRIDGE, Burnsville: The enemy left Eastport at daylight this morning. Went down the river. G. B. CRITTENDEN, [10.] Major- General. SPECIAL ORDERS, ~ ADJT. AND INSP. GENERALS OFFICE No. 76. Richmond, April 3, 1862. * * * * * * XII. Maj. H. C. Hill, assistant adjutant-general, will proceed withont delay to Knoxville, Tenn., and report to IVlaj. Gen. E. K. Smith, com- manding, for assignment to such duty as he may see fit. * * * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, [10.] . As8istant Adjutant- General. MONTGOMERY, [April] 3, 1862. Maj. Gen. S. JONES: I shall get more war troops than are called for. War troops are unarmed to defend Mobile. I want troops armed and which cannot be taken from that point under any contingency. If it cau be certain that any ninety-day company going in for the war could be kept at Mobile with their arms until armed by the Confederacy, I have no objection. JNO. GILL SHORTER, [6.] Governor. CIRCULAR.] HDQRS. RESERVE DIVISION OF THE ARMY Bnrnsville, April 3, 1862. In pursuance of orders from the headquarters of the Army of the Mississippi, I assume command of the Reserve Division of the army, consisting of Bowens and Stathams brigades and my own brigade as heretofore organized. Col. R. P. Trabue, Fourth Kentucky Regiment, will immediately assume command of the brigade heretofore under my immediate command, except Forrests regiment of cavalry, Morgans squadron, and Capt. Phil. B. Thompsons company of mounted men, which will remain under my personal direction. JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE, [10.] Brigadier- General, Commanding. APRIL 3, 1862. Major-General CHEATHAM, Bethel: The forces at Bethel and Purdy must defend those positions as already instructed, if attacked; otherwise they must advance with proper advanced flank guards on the road from Purdy to Monterey, where they will meet the remainder of the First Corps, General Polks, at the intersectiomt of the Bark road to Coriiitth. General Cheatha Page 297 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 297 will order the necessary trains from Corinth for the immediate removal of his sick, provisions, baggage, & c., to Corinth, or if not safe to send cars to Bethel, will send his wagons by the common road west of rail- road; but if the latter be not practicable he will send them as already directed to Bolivar, and from thence to Grand Junction. G. T. BEAUREGARD. [Indorsement.] BETHEL, April 3, 18623 oclock. The above dispatch is just received, and I do not entirely compre- hend it. I am to defend this place, if attacked; otherwise I am to move forward to meet General Polk. How long am I to wait before moving forward ~ Everything in front of Purdy seems from the reports of my scouts to be quiet. How many days rations am I to take with me when I move forward ~ I send this by my aide, Capt. Boyd Cheat- ham, on a locomotive that is just starting for Corinth. I will have the sick all ready to move by 10 oclock to-night, if you desire it. Send up two trains of cars and I will be ready. Telegraph if you start the trains to-night. From all our information the road is safe. I have two companies at Henderson. Shall I order them in ~ I dont know a road called the Bark road. Respectfully, B. F. CHEATHAM, ]Jiliajor- General, C. S. Army. The enemys advanced post is within four miles of Purdy, at Snake Creek. [10.] HEADQUARTERS, Trezevant, Tenn., April 7, 1862. Col. THOMAS JORDAN, Assistant Adjutant- General: SIR: I have the honor to report that I arrived here and relieved Ma.jor King on Saturday, 5th instant, having visited and conferred with Col- onel Jackson at Trenton. He could not move under several days for- ward of that place. I found headquarters here with a company thrown forward at Hico, on picket to its right and left, and Captain Pell had just returned from Paris with the flag the enemy had left lioisted on the court-house there, with no news of importance of the enemy. I hear to-day through citizens that they sent to-day a large force there perhaps 1,000 men. My scouts and pickets bring me no news of the enemy. The bridge on Trenton and Dresden road, over the Obion, called Shades Bridge, was reported by a scout as burned last Friday; by whom not known. I learn all the cavalry that we had In Henderson, at Lexington, has gone to Purdy, but not officially. It is of importance that I be kept advised of such movements, as it leaves my right very much exposed. I shall start a scout of a lieutenant and thirty men to Huntingdon to-morrow at sunrise. I threw forward Captain Guthries company to occupy my left front, with orders to send scout to Rogers Mill, a short distance from Dresden. I have ordered all the companies of the regiment here. Captain Wicks arrived this evening. I cannot learn where Hubbards and Houstons companies are. I learn they are very small and very worthless. I beg that two other new and well- atmed companies be substituted iu their places, ~nd respectfully urg Page 298 298 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. it. I am not satisfied with the muskets in the hands of a majority of Kings late battalion. A great deal has to be done in the way of equip- ment to make these men efficient. Grays company had no bridles. I have sent him oft to procure them at Memphis. I am laboring to get all the reports necessary to know the condition of each company. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, TH. CLAIBORNE, [1O.j Colonel, Cavalry. APRIL 8, 1862. To the SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATiVES OF TIlE CONFED~ ERATE STATES OF AMERICA: The great importance of the news just received from Tennessee induces me to depart from established usage, and to make to you this communication in advance of official reports: From telegraphic dispatches received from official sources I am able to announce to you, with entire confidence, that it has pleased Almighty God to crown the Confederate arms with a glorious and decisive victory over our invaders. On the morning of the 6th instant the converging columns of our army were combined by its commander-inchief, General A. S. John- ston, in an assault on the Federal army, then encamped near Pittsburg, on the Tennessee River. After a hard-fought battle of ten hours the enemy was driven in disorder from his position and pursued to the Tennessee River, where, nuder cover of his gun-boats, he was at the last accounts endeavorimig to effect his retreat by aid of his transports. The details of this great battle are yet too fiexv and incomplete to enable me to distinguish with merited praise all of those who may have con- spicuously earned the right to such distinction, and I prefer to delay my own gratification in recommending them to your special notice rather than incur the risk of wounding the feelings of any by failure to include them in the list. Where such a victory has been won over troops as numerous, as well disciplined, armed, and appointed as those which have just been so signally routed, we may well conclude that one common spirit of unflinching bravery arid devotion to our countrys cause must have animated every breast from that of commanding gen- eral to that of the humblest patriot who served in the ranks. There is eriough in the continued presence of invaders on our soil to chasten our exultation over this brilliant success, arid to remind us of the grave duty of continued exertion until we shall extort from a proud and vain- glorious enemy the reluctant ackno~rledgment of our right to self-gov- ernment, But an all-wise Creator has been pleased, while vouchsafing to us His countenance in battle, to afflict us with a severe dispensation, to which we must bow in humble submission. The last lingering hope has disappeared, and it is but too true that General Albert Sidney Johnston is no more. The tale of his death is simply narrated in a dis- patch just received from Col. William Preston, in the following words: General Johnston fell yesterday at 2.30, while leading a successful charge, turning the enemys right, and gaining a brilliant victory. A minie-ball cut the artery of his leg, bnt he rode on till, from loss of blood, he fell exhausted, and died without pain in a few moments. His body has been intrusted to me by General Beauregard to be taken to New Orleans, and remain until directions are received from his family. My long and close friendship with this departed chieftain and patriot forbids me to trust myself in giving vent to the feelings which this sad intelligence has evoked. Without doing injustice to the living, it ma Page 299 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 299 safely be asserted that our loss is irreparable, and that among the shining hosts of the great and the good who now cluster around the banner of our country there exists no purer spirit, no more heroic soul, than that of the illustrious man whose death I join you in lamenting. In his death he has illustrated the character for which through life he was conspicuousthat of sin gleuess of purpose and devotion to duty. With his whole energies bent on attaining the victory which he deemed essential to his countrys cause, he rode on to the accomplishment of his object, forgetful of self, while his very life-blood was fast ebbing away., His last breath cheered his comrades to victory; the last sound he heard was their shout of triumph; his last thought was his countrys; and long and deeply will his country mourn his loss. riO.] JEFFERSON DAVIS. ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERALS OFFICE, Montgomery, Ala., April 9, 1862. Col. B. JEMISON, Jr., Special Aide-de- Camp: COLONEL: By the direction of the Governor I herewith inclose you - original letter* from Capt. H. A. M. Henderson. He directs me also - to state that he has received evidence from other sources sufficient to satisfy his mind that the facts as detailed by Captain Henderson are substantially correct. He feels that his duty to the State, as well as to the loyal citizens of the particular section referred to, demands early and energetic action. Every one who participated in the convention referred to in the letter by supporting its resolutions is a traitor to the State and to the South and should, if possible, be arrested. Lenity and forbearance, hesitation or faltering would have no other effect thau to give confidence to those engaged in the treason. The infection will spread and increase unless it is promptly eradicated. The Governor feels that this responsible duty can be confided to no one so properly as yourself, and to this end you are invested with authority to order out and call into the service of the State such portion of the military force of the State as you may think necessary; to issue orders in the name of the Governor, as his aide-de camp, to any major or brigadier general, colonel, or any other officer for the whole or any part of their command; to take the necessary steps by purchase or otherwise to pro- vide ammunition, subsistence, and transportation, all of which will be paid for by the State; if need be to impress arms, and generally to take such measures as in the exercise of your discretion you may deem nec- essary to effect the arrest of the disloyal leaders and their misguided followers, unless you are fully satisfied that the last can be brought back to a true sense of their duty to the State and the South by a more lenient course. It may be, however, that the arrest of the leaders alone will only tend to exasperate and inflame, and in that case the loyal citi- zens and their families would be exposed to dangers which it would be necessary to guard against by establishing camps at the proper points, either of cavalry or infantry, or both, as you may deem expedient. The cavalry company of Captain Pegues, at Tuscaloosa, is subject to your orders, and it is supposed you can also obtain mounted men from the militia. The regiment of Colonel Frazer, at Shelby Springs, or such part of it as you may require, could doubtless be had on applica- tion to the officer in command. * Not found Page 300 300 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. The Governor has strong hopes that the extent of the disaffectiou has been exaggerated; that perhaps it has been aggravated by the imprudence of well-meaning and loyal, but , men, and that if the leaders could be arrested much may be accomplished with the fol- lowers by the exertion of your influence. He would suggest that, for the purpose of ascertaining full and correct iuformation as to the true condition of things, the tone, temper, and feeling of the people, the degree of the dissatisfaction, and to enable you the better to deter- mine and mature the plan of operations for the arrest of the most prominent offenders, as well as the course most expedient to adopt in relation to others, you should take the earliest opportunity of visit- ing Winston County upon some pretext and determining for yourself the course to be pursued. In conclusion, the Governor directs me to say that he fully appreciates the difficulty, as well as the delicacy, of the disagreeable but important duty he has devolved upon you. He sees clearly that the character of the country and the feelings of the l)eople may render it a work both of toil and danger, and will certainly require the exercise of great energy, firmness, and prudence, bat he relies, on you to adopt and carry out those measures which will be cer- tain to secure the arrest of the offenders at any risk or cost. To attempt it and fail would only make matters worse. If resistance is attempted it must be met even to the death. You will be sustained in the employ- ment bf any means or force you may think necessary to effect the pro- posed result. In case of arrest, the prisoners had better be reiuoved to Tuscaloosa. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEORGE GOLDTIIWAITE, [6.] Adjutant and Inspector General of Alabama. MILLEDGEVILLE, April 10, 1862. His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS: Many of the State troops have their own eountry arms. The megi. ments have disbanded at the expiration of their term. We are daily expecting an attack at Savannah. Fear we have not troops enough to meet the enemy, but I will risk all at your request to relieve General Beauregard. Will order two of my best-armed State regiments to go immediately. They must return at the earliest day possible. I can send to Corinth 1,000 good pikes and side iiriives, if you wish theni for reserves. Please answer.* JOS. E. BROWN. [10.1 SPECIAL ORDERS, ADJT. AM) INSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 83. Richmond, April 11, 1862. * * * * * * * VIII. Capt. D. W. Alexanders company Tennessee cavalry will pro- ceed without delay to Knoxville, Tenn., and report for duty to lWaj. Gen. E. K. Smith, commanding. * * * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, [10.] Assistant Adjutant- General. See Davis to Brown, April 11, 1862, Vol. X, Part II, p. 413 Page 301 CHiP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 301 MILLEDG-EVILLE, April 11, 1862: President JEFFERSON DAVIS: Had no official information of the bombardment of Pulaski when I sent dispatch yesterday. Generals Jackson, Lawton, and Wayne now at Savannah. Fear that the withdrawal of two regiments, in addition to two Confederate regiments which you have ordered from the coast to Corinth, would make our force too weak to meet the attack, and pro- dnce panic which might cause ns to lose the city. With these facts before you, if you press the request, I will still send the troops; but trust you can do without them till the result of the attack on the fort is known, and whether it is to be accompanied by a land attack. I will ship to Chattanooga to-night 829 pikes and 321 knives. Please order the proper officers to take charge of them there. JOS. E. BROWN. [10.] RICHMOND, VA., April 12, 1862. Governor BROWN, Muilledgeville, Ga.: Dispatch of yesterday received. Retain the two regiments. If you could send armed men from the northwestern part of your State they might aid General Beauregard without disturbing your sea-coast defenses. If route by Chattanooga is interrupted, the pikes, & c., may be sent by Mobile to Corinth, where they are wanted. JEFFN DAVIS. [10.] EXECUTIVE OFFICE, Jackson, Miss., April 12, 1862. Maj. Gen. G. T. BEAUREGARD SIR: There are now at the Various rendezvous in this State 6,000 or 8,000 men preparing to enter the Confederate service. One regiment and one battalion of five companies at Meridian will be ready for duty on Monday neXt. Three regiments at Grenada could be ready in a few days if arms could be furnished them. One regiment of cavalry and one of artillery at this place are waiting for their arms. I think it a safe estimate to put down the new levies now going into rendezvous at 10,000 men, and that number may be exceeded. These can be organ- ized into regiments in ten days; many of them sooner. Can you not send arms to these, or furnish them at Corinth~ You say in your dis- patch of yesterday that you will receive companies, battalions, or regi- ments if armed and equipped. My means of arming and equipping are very limited. I will send you all I can arm as soon as transporta- tion can be furnished but the Secretary of War promised to arm and equip the seven regiments for the war, and many of them are now standing still for want of arms. Please inform me what prospect there is for speedily arming them. By telegraph to-day I requested that you send me passport to enter the lines at Corinth,as it is my purpose to see the next battle fought in that vicinity. Permit me, in conclusion, to assure you that no effort shall be spared to send you all the avail- able means of defense at my disposal. Very respectfully, JOHN J. PETTUS. [tO. Page 302 302 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. GENERAL ORDERS,) HEADQUARTERS HESERVE CORPS, ARMY OF THE Mississippi, No. 9. April 13, 1862. The following is announced as the staff of Brigadier-General Breck- inridge, commanding Reserve Corps: Lient. Col. D. Beltzhoover, chief of artillery; Maj. Alfred Boyd, chief qnarterrnaster; Capt. Clinton MeClarty, chief commissary; Dr. B. W. Avent, medical director; Capt. George B. lodge, assistant adjutant-general; Capt. T. T. Hawkins, aide-dc-camp; Capt. John S. Hope, assistant inspector-general. Vol- unteer aides: Capt. A. Keene Richards, Col. Jack Allen, Capt. F. Lons dale, Capt. Charles J. Mastin. JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE, [10.] Brigadier- General, Commanding. MONTGOMERY, ALA., April 14, 1862. Hons. W. L. YANCEY, C. C. CLAY, WILLIAM P. CHILTON: Colonel Dilworth, commanding Department of Middle and Eastern Florida, received, of 4th instant,* order from War Department to send 1,500 muskets to Pensacola. He states that [he] will send them after arming the troops being raised in Florida under last requisition. Are armed- by that time [sic]. Pensacola will be taken if [not] sent imme- diately. This position so important to Alabama can be saved. A per- emptory order to send guns without delay would bring them; so says Judge Rich, who has just returned from Dilworth. Get Secretary to send order to Dilworth by telegraph to Tallahassee. Press it with other members of Alabama and Florida delegations. Be quick. Answer. JNO. GILL SHORTER. [Indorsement.] I earnestly request a compliance with this request. [6.1 W. L. YANCEY. HEADQUARTERS, Tuscumbia, A 14, 1862. General BEAUREGARD, Commanding Army: GENERAL: The enemy have several hundred at Decatur and this side. My scouts had a skirmish with the enemy seven miles the other side of Courtland; a lieutenant and three men are missing. I do not know what injury was inflicted on the enemy. The enemy at Decatur expect re-enforcements to the extent of several thousand. I cannot learn certainly their strength, but do not think they exceed 5,000. I have only 500 efrective men, and will therefore be unable to hold the Florence bridge against so large a force attacking me on this side of the river, but will hold it as long as I can. I am, with respect, your obedient servant, B. H. HELM, [10.] Colonel First Begiment Kentucky Cavalry. JOINT RESOLUTION of thanks for the victory at Shuloli, Tena. Resolvcd by the Congress of the Confederate AS1tates ~f America, That Congress has learned with gratitude to the Divine Ruler of Nations * See Waddy to Dilworth, April 4, 1862, Vol. VI, p. 424 Page 303 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 303 the intelligence of the recent complete and bril]iant victory whieli has been gained by the Army of the Confederate States under the com- mand of General A. S. Johnston over the Federal forces in Tennessee on the battle-field of Shilob. Resolved, That the thanks of Congress are hereby tendered to General G. T. Beauregard and the other surviving officers and privates of that army for the signal exhibition of skill and gallantry displayed by them on that memorable occasion; and all who contributed to that signal triumph, in the judgment of Congress, are entitled to the gratitude of their conntry. Resolved That the intelligence of the death of General Albert Sidney Johnston, commander-in-chief when leading the Confederate forces to victory on the 6th of April, in Tennessee, while it affects Congress with profound sorrow at the same time obscures our joy with a shade of sadness at the loss of an officer so able, skillful, and gallant. Resolved, That the foregoing resolutions be made known by appro- priate general orders by the generals in command to the officers and troops to whom they are addressed, and that they also be communi- cated to the familyof General Johnston. Approved April 15, 1862. [10.] RICHMOND, VA., April 15, 1862. Colonel DILWORTH, Tallahassee: Send 1,500 muskets or rifles to Pensacola, as heretofore ordered, without delay and in preference to all other reqnisitions. GEO. W. RANDOLPH, [6.] Secretary of War. SPECIAL ORDERS, ADJT. AND TNSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 88. * Richmond, April 17, 1862. * * * * * * VII. Capt. A. R. Lankfords company Alabama Volunteers will without delay report to Major-General Samuel J~ones, commanding Department of Alabama and West Florida, for duty as part of Colonel McKinstrys regiment Alabama Volunteers. * * * * * * * By comm~~ind of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, [6.1 Assistant Adjutant- General. GENERAL ORDERS, ~ HDQRS. ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI, No. 17. Corinth, Miss., April 17, 18(52. The following general officers have been apl)oillted by the President, and being on duty with this army are announced for the information of all concerned: General Braxton Bragg, Maj. Gen. B. F. Cheatham, Maj. Gen. T. C. llindman, Maj. Gen. John C. Breckinridge, Brig. G~n. B. H. Helm, Brio Gen P. R. Cleburne, Brig. Gen. Franklin Gardner, Brig. Gen. Thomas Jordan, Brig. Gen. William Preston, Brig. Gen. Alfred Mouton, Brig. Gen. George Maney. By command of General Beauregard: THOS. JORDAN, A ssistant Adjutant- General. [10. Page 304 304 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. LYNORBURO-, April 18, 1862. His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS, President (f the Confederate States: We address you as yonr fellow-citizens who have given you their hearty support, and do not doubt your willingness to do with alacrity everything tending to preserve our common country in the present portentous aspect of public affairs. We make no complaint of any- thiiig done or contemplated in respect to the subject-matter of this address. In the present contest for our liberties, our firesides, our homes, our wives, and our children, forced upon us by an insolent and most wicked enemy, it is not to be expected that everything can be done in the best manner possible; but where the motive is pure and the conduct of any agent, great or small, done with patriotic intent, both justice and public policy require it to be looked at with greatest liberality. We profess not to know the precise circumstances under which our disaster at Fort Donelson took place, nor do we mean to offer any views to Your Excellency about them. On this head your information is necessarily superior to ours. But as your friends and fellow-citizens we ventare respectfully to request that in view of the widespread and growing dissatisfaction of a large number of our people of Southwestern Virginia at the suspension of General John B. Floyd, and the feeling of alarm and anxiety which even in this (the Lynch- burg) community exists for the safety of a region from which we get most of our important and necessary supplies, you will, if consistent with your own views of duty and of public interest, at once reinstate and place General Floyd in command of Western Virginia. We believe such an act will strengthen the confidence of our people in the Gov- ertiment and promote the public interest. General Floyd has a power- ful hold on the affections and confidence of Southwestern Virginia, and in these times of public trial and danger his absence from the scene of active military employment is, we think, deeply to be lamented. They disclaim all wish or intent to mingle in this matter as a political move. They, or many of them, have not in the olden conflict of par- ties acted with General Floyd, but they regard the day of mere party effort to be passed, and now desire to act but as a band of brothers united in the sacred effort to save our country and its institutions and rescue our homes from the tread of the spoiler. We are, respectfully, your fellow-citizens, C. L. MOSBY. G. W. LATHAM, Captain, Prorisional Army, C. S. SAML. B. THURMAN. [10.] [AND 75 OTHERS.] HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY, Ripley, Tenn., April 19, 1862. Col. THOMAS JORDAN, Assistant Adjutant- General, Corinth: -In compliance with orders received per telegraph from headquarters of the army, I marched my command from Trenton to this place, arriv- ing yesterday. Have reported to the general commanding at Pillow. I find a great scarcity of hay, fodder, and oats in this neighborhood; sufficient corn to subsist the animals for ten or fifteen days. I consider the Forked Deer very effectually obstructed, and 1 am of the opiti- ion that the enemy will not atteml)t to come to Key Corner, an Page 305 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 305 thence by land to Fort Pillow. The country between Trenton and Dyersburg I consider the richest portion of the State of rfeilnessee. abundant snpply of bacon, corn, and hay. The owners are anxious to dispose of these articles to the Confederacy. The commissary of my command will be able to purchase flour, meal, and bacon for the regi- inent in the neighborhood, and will have to draw supply of sugar, coffee, and other rations from Pillow. From a description of the country, I am satisfied that my line could be best protected by moving back toward iDyersburg some ten miles. I have now under my command eight companies of my regiment proper and two independent coinpa- nies. I consider it best to merge the two. Captain Haywood, whose company belongs to the regiment, has not reported to me, and says that he is independent of the command, under the orders of General Beauregard. Since his joining the army he has manifested a spirit of insubordination which, if it is not checked, will ruin this regiment. He needs bringing into harness, and I respectfully request of the gen- eral commanding that he be ordered to report to me. Capt. D. G. Reed, who has a squad of fifteen men operating about Union City and Dres- den, is bringing a bad name upon the cavalry of this country by taking horses from Union and Southern men and not respecting private prop- erty. I am well satisfied that these independent companies, thrown loose upon the country, are a disgrace and nuisance to the community where they may chance to serve. Being aware that the general coni- manding is anxious to have these irregularities corrected, I have taken the liberty of reporting them. I am, colonel, with high respect, your obedient servant, W. II. JACKSON, [10.1 Colonel of Cavalry. SPECIAL ORDERS, ADJT. AND INSP. GEMnIALS OFFICE, No. 92. Richmond, April 22, 1862. * * * * * * * VII. Lieut. Col. Milton A. Haynes, senior ofh~er of the corps of Ten- nessee artillery in the Provisional Army, will repair to Knoxville, Teun., and report for duty as chief of said artillery to Maj. Gen. E. Kirby Smith. * * * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: JINO. WITHERS, ~l0.] Assistant Adjutant- General. MOBILE, April 28, 1862. [Hon. G. W. RANDOLPH:] SIR: I left Richmond last Thnrsday, and coming on, found the cars crowded with troops from Tennessee and Kentucky going to Corinth by way of Mobile. This was rendered necessary because the enemy occupied Huntsville. Thus the only mode of communicating with our Western army is through Mobile. Cut off this mode and our army is separated from Richmond almost entirely. I write you this with the view to present the fact to your mind. I also wrote the President to the same effect. It may be of vast importance to increase the strength of this place, unless the railroad at Huntsville be soon in our control. I must also call yoar attention to the conscript act. There are about 20 R HVOL LII, PT I Page 306 306 SW. YA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. tCHkP. LXIV. 3,000 or 2,500 militia here, called out by Governor Shorter to defend Mobile for ninety days. There are no other troops here except the regiment in Fort Morgan and the troops at Fort Gaines; none at least known to me. These State troops wish to know if they can now organ- ize themselves into companies and regiments before the termination of their State service under the conscript act. Had I known of such organization under the State authority I would have attempted some provision for them by way of amendment; but you now must harmonize the two services by orders. I have no doubt but that the law considers them in no service, and that they may be immediately called into the Confederate service under the act. Whether you will discontinue the State service, or whether the soldiers can now organize nnder the act and elect their officers, I cannot say, and must beg of you to give such orders here as will relieve the State militia from their present e~nbar- rassment. One of the regiments called out by the Governor think they were called out for an indefinite period of time, and not for ninety days only. I (lo not see, however, that this would alter the case. I must beg of you to give this latter matter your immediate attention, and the first I trust you will take into your consideration. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, B. S. DAIIGAK. It may be that the regiments called out for an indefinite time stand on a different footing from the ninety-days regiments. But your orders must harmonize their duties, as well as those called for ninety days only. [10.] B. S. DAIRGAIN. HEADQUARTERS, Rienzi Station, Camp Rives, Miss., April 29, 1862. Col. THOMAS JORDAN, Assistant Adjutant- General, Corinth, Miss.: COLONEL: I have the honor to state that I am informed that the militia of the county assembled at Jacinto to-day for muster and that there is some apprehension felt that the enemy may make a dash with their cavalry and attempt to capture them. Not knowing what force of ours may be between Jacinto and the enemy, I have thought it prudent to dispatch a portion of my commandtwo regiments of infantry, a section of light artillery, and about 250 mounted men, in all some 1,000 mento Jacinto, to remain there to-day and return after the militia are dismissed. Hoping this movement will meet the approbation of the general, I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, HENI~Y LITTLE, [10.] I3rigadier- General, Commanding Station. AT DOCTOR BOWLES, North Bank Tennessee River, April 29, 1862Morning. General THOMAS JORDAN: I have the honor to report that the last of my command has just crossed the river. I made but slow progress, having but one small boat to cross with at Oats Ferry, five miles from Cherokee. I will go t Page 307 CHAP. LXIV.J CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 307 Lawrenceburg, which place I will reach to-morrow, and will start men to our left and have wires cut upon Savannah road. I intend moving from Lawrenceburg to Pulaski and through Columbia. I hope a large body of cavalry will be sent immediately to cover our rear. There is an abundance of forage in this portion of the country, and the people are nearly true, and will be delighted to do all they caii to serve us. In nearly all the small towns in the interior of Tennessee I learn there are small parties of Federals, who are left to keep the people in check, and a large body of cavalry properly led could succeed in capturing nearly all in detaiL We will not have time to attack all these places, as I am determined to reach Lexington, Ky., before I return, and if a body of cavalry are sent over at once there will not be the least doubt of our succeeding in reaching Northern Kentucky, where we will do irreparable injury. I will forward dispatches to you from Pulaski. Respectfully, J. II. MORGAN. I have the honor to inclose a note* just received from Florence. I will not have time to pay our respects to the Yankees, as we will move now rapidly forward. [10.] HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE WEST, Memphis, Tenn., April 29, 1862. C. F. JACKSON, Governor of Missouri: GOVERNOR: I have the honor to inform you that I have just learned that a battle near Corinth is imminent. This and other considerations induce me to say that unless the organization of the State Guard is completed to-morrow it will be luipossible for me to provide any farther for them. The army has nearly all gone on. I go in the morning. If the organization of the Guard is completed to-morrow it will at once be on the same footing as the other troops of the Confederacy with respect to supplies of every description. I hope, sir, that in the coming battle the country will not lose the services of so gallant a corps as that under your command. With great respect, your obedient servant, EARL VAN DORN, [10.] Major- General. IIDQRS. FIRST BRK~ADE, CHEATHAMS DIVISION, & c., Shopes lull, Four Miles and a half from Corinth on Monterey Road, April 30, 1862. Brig. Gen. THOMAS JORDAN, Assistant Adjutant- General, Army of the Mississippi: GENERAL: I sent the packages by flag of truce to the enemys lines this afternoon in accordance with the directions of the general com- manding. They were intrusted by me to Lieutenant-Colonel Lewis, Twenty-fifth Regiment Louisiana Volunteers, who executed his mission to my entire satisfaction. He went beyond Monterey something like a mile or mile and a half on the Pittsburg road before meeting a Federal officer to whom he could deliver the packages. The reconnoitering * Not found Page 308 308 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. party which entered Monterey yesterday morning had returned, leaving the village unoccupied; He had a general running conversation with Captain McCook (brother to the general), assistant adjutant-general on General Buells staff, but elicited nothing of importance, Captain McCook remarking at one time that they intended to have Corinth within the next six days, & c. From all Colonel Lewis saw and heard he feels satisfied that it is the purpose of the Federal commander to move at an early day upon Corinth in at least two columns, viz, by the Monterey and Farmington roads. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, PATTON ANDERSON, [10.] Brigadier- General, & c., Comdg. Outpost on Monterey Road. HEADQUARTERS, Rienzi Station, Camp Rives, Miss., April 30, 1862. Col. THOMAS JORDAN, Assistant Adjutant- General, Corinth, Miss.: COLONEL: I have the honor to report that the detachment I sent to Jacinto to protect the militia assembled there for muster returned in the evening. I inclose herewith General Berrys report of the result of said muster. I also rode out and examined the country between here and Jacinto and in the immediate vicinity of that place. All the roads approaching Jacinto are on ridges, from which on both sides spurs and ravines project. The country is very much broken, and tim- bered with pine, oak, hickory, and in some places a thick undergrowth. It would be difficult to get artillery or a baggage train along except on the regular roads, the grounds between the ridges and bases of the spurs being for the most part wet and marshy. After crossing the bottom immediately east of Rienzi there are two roads leading to Jacinto which unite at that place; there it continues due east to Tus- cumbia. About one mile from Jacinto the road from Burnsville comes in, and one-quarter of a mile the Burnsville road is intersected by the Jacinto and Neshoba road leading to the lied Sulphur Springs, near the State line. These roads, I am informed, all follow ridges and pass through the same kind of country above mentioned. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, HENRY LITTLE, Brigadier- General, Commanding Station. [Inclosure.] HDQRS. FIRST BRIGADE MISSISSIPPI STATE TROOPS, Jacinto, Miss., April 29, 1862. Colonel Hobbs, C. S. Army, will be pleased to relieve his command from picket duty at 3 p. m. I have the pleasure to report to General Little that I have organized two regiments of State troops, of some- thing over 1,000 men in each regiment, between the ages of eighteen and fifty years. There are, perhaps, 1,000 men between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five years. Efficient arms may be furnished by the county to all above the age of thirty-five. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, M. F. BERRY, [10.1 Brigadier- General Page 309 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 309 LAWRENCEBURG, ]Jifay 1, 18G2. General THOMAS JORDAN: Arrived here on yesterday. Fourteen scouts had just left the place for Henrysville, where a body of 100 Federal cavalry are stationed. At Mount Pleasant there are about 1,000; at Columbia a much larger force. Between Huntsville and Coh mbia large numbers of troops are continually passing with supplies. They pass through Pulaski. A small force is also at Lebanon; a lark e force at Shelbyville. In fact, nearly all the towns of any importance have troops stationed, and if a force was sent upon this side of the rivei a large number could be cap- tured. I hope you will send the cavalry over in force at once. There is no difficulty in their being supported; the people here are all right. In Wayne County the people are Union strong. They are sending companies to ~ ashville to join the Federals. I was told that they were raising another company. We passed as Federals. That would be a good point to send a body of men. Respectfully, JOHN H. MORGAN, [10.] ______ Colonel, Commanding. EXECUTIVE OFFICE, Jackson, iliiss., 111 ay 1, 1862. [General - BEAUREGARD:] SIR: The possession by the enemy of the Mississippi River and internal waters of the State will bring him in contact with the slaves, and affords him great facilities for plunder. It is practicable partially to guard against some of the evils which the extended means of access to persons and property may entail by companies of mounted men. I can easily organize such companies, or rather accept them armed and monnted, for many companies have already offered for this service. These companies will tend to create a sen se of security among the people and keep down any disorders among the slaves. it appears that such companies may be organized as Confederate troops, provided they are asked for by the general commanding the department, and I write to obtain your sanction to what appears to be a necessity. 1 deem it proper to say that the organization of these mounted companies will not interfere with volunteering to fill existing companies, nor retard the filling up of the skeleton regiments. I take the occasion to request that you will give me in express terms power to muster in the recruits (3,000) called for by you, and to appoint persons for that pur- pose, in order that no difficulties may arise in procuring transportation for them from any point at which they may be found. Very respectfully, JOHN J. PETTUS. [Indorsement.] Calling out of mounted companies is approved. None but commis- sioned officers, C. S. Army, can muster. Name where to send muster- ing officer. [10.] ____ G. T. B. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Corinth, Miss., May 3, 1862. Maj. Gen. JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE Commanding Reserve Corps, Army of the Mississippi: GENERAL: On reflection, the general commanding orders a change in the dispositions announced for your command for the morning Page 310 310 sw. YA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. Cieburnes brigade (ilardees corps) will remain in occupation of the lines on the right (under construction), and your whole division will be held in light marching order in support of that line on the east side of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad within 800 yards of the intrenchments. Your troops should be in position by 3 oclock in the morning, with one days cooked subsistence in haversacks and forty rounds of ammunition. Respectfully, general, your obedient servant, THOMAS JORDAN, [10.] A8sistant Adjntant- General. ADJUTANT-GENERALS OFFICE, ARMY OF TILE Mississippi, Corinth, Miss., May 3, 1862. General G. T. BEAUREC-ARD, Commanding Army of the ]Jliississippi: GENERAL: In obedience to special instructions from the adjutant- general of the Army of the Mississippi, I proceeded on Wednesday evening, 30th ultimo, to Trenton Station, Mobile and Ohio Railroad, to deliver to Col. Thomas Claiborne, commanding cavalry at that point, a dispatch and certain funds to use for purposes indicated therein. I reached Colonel Claibornes encampment (about six miles from Tren- ton) on the 1st instant, and delivered to him the l3tter and money. He informed me that it was his purpose to start for Paducah the next day (2d) by daylight with his regiment, Col. William H. Jacksons, and two nnassigned companies of cavalry (Fergusons and Algees), numbering in the aggregate about 1,200 effectives. He further advised me that his line of march would be in the direction of Paris to a place called McLemores; from thence through Mayfield to Paducab. He expected to reach the latter place in two days and a half from the time of start- ing. I learned later, however, that he would not be able to get off until to-day (3d), as the largest part of Colonel Jacksons command did not reach Trenton until yesterday. The Federals have a force stationed at Fort Heiman, on the Tennessee, and also about 400 infantry and as many cavalry at Hickman. At Tiptouville their force consists of 1 500 infantry and four pieces of artillery. Colonel Claiborne thought the direction he proposed taking would foil the enemy completely as to his nitimate intentions, as he would threaten both Fort Heiman and Hick- man. He proposed returning, if possible, through the Obion Bottoms, so as to avoid the route he takes in going to Paducah as much as possible. I have the honor to subscribe myself, general, your obedient servant, CLIFTON H. SMITH, [10.] Assistant Adjutant- General. C. S. RIVER DEFENSE SERVICE, Gun-boat General Bragg, Sunday, May 4, 18623 p. m. Maj. Gen. G. T. BEAUREGARD, C. S. Army, Corinth, Miss.: GENERAL: We are patien~ ty awaiting the turn of events, and do not see much prospect for a figh; at the present time. The enemy have changed their position since I came here, and keep their gun-boats on each side of the river in a osition to command a long stretch where we cannot reach them withunt being under a cross-fire for from forty to fifty minutes. They have twelve mortar-boats, but never have mor Page 311 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 311 in position than two, which fire at irregular periods during the day, but are towed away each night. We have eight boats of the river- defense fleet here. The navy boats are dismounting their guns. We are doing a good service by keeping the enemy at a distance from Fort Pillow, but I have not the confidence in the fleet which I was led to expect by the representations made me. The majority of these boats are not fast enough to catch a retreating~ boat, but any that may pass Fort Pillow are at our mercy, and should any of their boats be impru- dent eiiough to lie at the point they occupied when we came here, we can sink them with our three fast boats. We will wait and watch and hope. Yonrs, most respectfnlly, M. JEFF. THOMPSON, Brig. Gen., Missouri State Guard, Gomdg. Marines and Gunners. [Indorsement.] Already answered as follows: Hope ere long yon will be able to test with snccess the efficiency of your boats, which are now the last hope of closing the river to the enemys gun-boats. Should you not have speed enongh against the boats npstream, I Ii ope you will be able to destroy those of the enemy reported to be coming up from New Orleans. G. T. B[EAUIIEGAIRD]. [10.] SPECIAL ORDERS, OFFICE ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL, ALABAlVIZA MILITIA, No. 29. ) Montgomery, Ala., May 8, 1862. 1. The large amount of cotton in the city of Montgomery renders its removal to a safe distance a work of time. Circumstances may render it iiecessary to destroy it before such removal can be effected. To avoid endangering the city by burning, all the cotton which cannot be removed to a safe distance will be removed to the warehouse known as Gunters warehouse. 2. The railroad companies are hereby ordered to arrange by Monday next to use all their transportation power, save such as may be required for the service of the Confederate Government, to assist in transporting the cotton which owners may prefer to take from the city. 3. The officer charged with the execntion of this order is hereby directed to press into service all the public drays of the city, save such as may be reqnired for the service of the Confederate Government, to aid in transporting cotton from the warehouses in the city to Gunters warehouse, the steam-boat landings, and railroad depots. 4. Col. William H. Chambers, special aide-dc-camp, is charged with the execution of this order. By order of John Gill Shorter, Governor and commander-in-chief~ II. P. WATSON, [6.] Adjutant and Inspector General. BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, Camp Saunders, May 8, 1862. Brig. Gen. T. JORDAN, Assistant Adjutant- General: 0 GENERAL: After much trouble and delay caused by the breaking of the machinery of the horse-boat I have thrown one regiment and a hal Page 312 312 Sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS.. ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. across the river. Shall put half a regiment and a battalion over to-day. I have established an outpost at Browns Ferry and a picket at Hunts- ville with a line of couriers from each. The latest intelligence from the latter place is the enemy have been re-enforced by six regiments and firing heretofore reported as having been heard there was the rejoicing of the eneniy over their re-enforcement. General Evans has joined General Smith and both are now moving on Huntsville, though farther off than when last reported. The citizens of Pulaski, Athens, and all through the country where the enemy have been, report that they have committed depredations of every description, broken open smoke-houses and stables and stolen meat, forage, and horses from the citizens, entered dwellings, breaking up furniture and plundering even ladies of money, plate, and jewelry, besides threatening them with personal vio- lence. It seems to be their policy to devastate the country. They have enticed negroes away from their masters and armed them. As soon as I obtain reliable data I shall send a flag of truce to General Mitchel and demand his policy regarding slaveswhether he recognizes them, or designs creating an insurrectionary force by placing arms in their hands. The feeling of the inhabitants, especially those who have here- tofore been neutral or Union in sentiment, is now strong for the South- erii cause. The depredations of the enemy has, I think, been beneficial to the cause. -I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN ADAMS, [10.] Colonet, C. S. Army, Commanding Brigade. BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, Camp Saunders, May 9, 1862. Brig. Gen. T. JORDAN, Assistant Adjutant- General: GENERAL: I regret to infQrm you that my communications of yes. terday and a previous date regarding force and disposition of the enemy, & c., are both incorrect,if the inclosed be true, and it seems to be more direct than the others. I have had out two scouting parties, and have received intelligence, which I believe reliable, that the enemy are in strong force at Huntsville, about 12,000 or 14,000. Owing to this intelligence it may be necessary for me to fall back with my com- mand to this side of the Tennessee River. The enemys outposts at all the ferries on Tennessee and Elk Rivers, Athens, Pulaski, & c., have been largely re-enforced. Herewith I have the honor to inclose copy of state- ment sent Onlonel Scott by one of his men. I shall cross the river myself to-day and determine what course to pursue. On yesterday I sent out two parties respectively of 450 and 75 men to capture forces of the enemy, viz, 300 stationed at Bethel, on west bank of Elk River, and fifty at Blairs Ferry, on east bank. Have received no report from them as yet. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN ADAMS, Colonel, C. S. Army, (ilommanding Brigade. [Inclosure.] WHITESBURG, Thursday Erening. Col. J. S. SCOTT: Been riding around and gathering items and intend to dispatch to-night, but Doctor Wood and Jones have just come in. Report as fol- lows: Went to Guntersville; there fell in with Captain Young and tw Page 313 313 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. lieutenants of Fourth Alabama (twelve-months men), making their way home, and they told them that we have no forces nearer to Huntsville than Chattanooga, about 2,000, and these were pressing to leave at the approach of the Federals. Kirby Smith is at Cuniberlaud Gap. Heard nothing from General Evans. Eleven hundred Federals attacked 1,000 of our men at Bridgeport, about fifty miles above Guntersville, and they fled without firing a gun. These are the same now at Chattanooga. The bridge at Bridgeport is burned. Our forces at Chattanooga have the two steaiu-boats that were at Decatur. Doctor Wood and Jones deem all this perfectly reliable. The report of Morgans men is consequently very nureliable. Doctor Wood and Jones sent word to our forces by Doctor Cornwall (on his way to Chattanooga) of our position and intention, and request to him to send a courier to you, and shall come in immediately with my couriers. Shall try to make the arrests (again) required by Colonel Adams. Respectfully, C. B. WHEELER. The Federals came down from Huntsville last night to this place and shelled around extensively, but did no damage. C. B. W. [Indorsementi - BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, Camp Saunders, May 9, 1862. There seems to be some doubt about the correctness of the within statement, as the evidence does not come direct. JOHN ADAMS, [10.] Commanding. GENERAL ORDERS, )~ HDQRS. ARMY OF THE Mississwpi, No. 3. Corinth, Miss., May 11, 1862. I. All baggage not necessary for light field service will be immedi- ately sent to the depot at this place to be transported to Okolona, Miss., and there placed in charge of Maj. L. F. Johnston, brigade quarter- master. II. None but organized bodies of troops and couriers will be allowed to pass the lines of this army. All others passing in or out without permissiou from general officers will be stopped and sent to the in- spector-general. Stragglers from outposts will be rigidly dealt with. By command of General Bragg: GEO. G. GARNER, [10.] Assistant Adjutant- General. BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, Camp Foster, May 11, 1862. Brig. Gen. THOMAS JORDAN, Assistant Adjutant- General: GENERAL: Upon information which came very direct I moved my force, wagons, and stores to this (north) side of Tennessee River, expecting General Smith to engage the enemy at Huntsville, but the information proved incorrect. I have ordered the wagons and stores to be transferred across the river. My effective force is only about 1,200. Deducting pickets, wagon guards, & c., will reduce the number to 1,00 Page 314 314 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. strong. I would most respectfully request that Colonel Biffles regi- ment, which was detached from my command while en route (with the promise that it should be returned), be ordered to join me. As I expect to move in uo Tennessee to-night it will be of great service. In fact, iu my future movements it will be invaluable. As Bear Creek has fallen so as to be fordable un less otherwise directed I shall withdraw the two companies now at Bear Creek bridge with orders to join me. I send Colonel Foster, aide-dc-camp, to represent the immediate necessity for ammunition also to urge and represent the necessity for Biffies regiment. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN ADAMS, [10.] Colonel, C. S. Army, Commanding Brigade. GENERAL ORDERS, IIDQRS. Am~i~ OF THE Mississippi, No. 4. Corinth, Miss., May 12, 1862. I. The following officers are announced as attached to the staff at these headquarters: Capt. U. B. Cooke, assistant adjutant-general, department of returns; Capt. P. H. Thomson. assistant adjutant- general, department of orders; Capt. H. W. Walter, assistant adjutant- general, judge-advocate; First Lient. D. H. Poole, acting assistant adjutant-general, department of orders; Lient. Col. W. K. Beard, inspector-generals department; Dr. Joseph T. Scott, inspector-general~s department; Dr. A. V. Small, inspector-generals department; Acti~~g Surg. S. B. Chaille, medical inspector, attached to headquarters; Lieut. Col. D. Urquhart, volunteer aide; Col. J. M. Huger, volunteer aide; Maj. L. P. Conner, volunteer aide. * * * * * * * By command of General Bragg: GEO. G. GARNER, [10.] Assistant Adjutant- General. HEADQUARTERS, Richmond Va M His Excellency J. GILL SHORTER, , ., ay 13, 1862. Governor of Alabama: SIR: Your letter of April 28, 1862, to the Secretary of War, with its inclosures, has been referred by him to me. The importance of defend- ing the northern parts of Georgia and Alabama., particularly the town of Rome and like places of importance, is fully appreciated, and steps with the view to that end have been taken. Colonel Morrisons regi- ment of cavalry has already been ordered to Chattanooga to operate with the forces at that point in the protection of the northern frontier of Georgia and Alabama, and the regiment of cavalry referred to by you in your letter to the Secretary of War will be sent to that point as soon as it can be armed and equipped. The scarcity of arms will, I fear, greatly retard the appearance of this regiment in the field. The ends referred to in your communication would be greatly facilitated if you could arm the regiment from the means you may have at your command. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, It. B. LEE, [10.] General Page 315 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 315 C. S. RIVER DEFENSE SERVICE, Gun-boat General Bragg, off Fort Pillow, ]liliay 13, 18628 p. m. General G. T. BEAUREGARD, Commanding C. S. Army, Corinth, Miss.: GENERAL: Your telegram suggesting our trying the slow boats down- stream is received. Upon reflection you will find that none of the rams will answer downstream, except when manned by a forlorn hope to accomplish some specific object. After the first butt downstream, whether it be fair or foul, your boat is lost, for you cannot back up- stream to strike again, and in drifting down you will be at the mercy of the enemy. This matter was fully demonstrated on the 10th, for the Bragg, which is the best and fastest boat, went in the lead, and after striking her first blow simply fouled a tiller rope and had to drift out of the action. Our only hope is to make ourselves useful up- stream, and we will keep the enemy at this point in check until they are largely re-enforced. The enemys boats above Fort Pillow are now moored in narrow channels behind sand-bars, where we cannot attack them again, but we will wait and watch for another opportunity. Should gun-boats pass Yicksburg and the fort at that place remain in our hands, then we can run downstream and sink everything we hit between here and there, and then return to this post. Yours, most respectfully, M. JEFF. THOMPSON, Brig. Gen., Missouri State Guards, Comdg. Confederate Gunners. [10.] [Indorsements on Pillow to Randolph, May 15, 1862, printed in Vol. VII, p. 305.] [First indorsement-] MAY 28, 1862. Read and returned to the Secretary of War. When this case was before me on a former occasion, there seemed a necessity for further information to enable me to form a correct judg- ment, and General Johnston was asked to obtain and forward addi- tional reports. The call wa~ (1 believe) repeated by message to General Beauregard, but the additional reports have not been laid before me. When yoa can present the requisite information I will endeavor to render the justice which General Pillow claims and gives me credit for the wish to yield. JEFFN DAVIS. [Second indorsement.] ADJUTANT-GENERAL: If Colonel Forrests reports, or Major Alexanders, or any other in reference to the Fort Donelson affair not sent the President, has been received, send it to him; if none has come in, send copy of Presidents indorsement to General Pillow. [7.] G. W. R. SPECIAL ORDERS, ~ ADJT. AND INSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 115. Richmond, May 20, 1862. * * * * * * * XXI. Companies A and L, Sixteenth Regiment North Carolina Vol - unteers, will be detached from said regiment so soon as their service Page 316 316 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. ELA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXTV. can be dispensed with in the Army of Northern Virginia, and will proceed to Knoxville, Tenn., and report to Maj. Gen. E. K. Smith, commanding, for duty as parts of the Thirty-ninth Regiment North Carolina Volnuteers * * * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, [10.] Assistant Adjutant- General. HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DEPARTMENT, Corinth, ]JIay 20, 18627.15 p. m. Maj. Gen. E. VAN DORN, Widow Smiths House, Danville Road: GENERAL: From information received it appears that General Mitchel is advancing rapidly to join Hallecks army. It thus becomes necessary to effect our movement as soon as practicable. Let me know immediately when you think you could be in position south of the railroad and then when across the Burnsville road. State also when you would have to commence the movement. Ten oclock is, I think, the latest at which the battle ought to commence. You must make ample allowance for deI~ays before getting into position. I telegraphed you to this effect at 6.30.* Respectfully, your obedient servant, G. T. BEAUREGARD, [10.] General, Commanding. Col. THOMAS JORDAN, VICKSBURG, May 20, 1862. Assistant Adjutant-General, Corinth, ]Jiliiss.: COLONEL: I have the honor to inform the general that our defensive works at this point now consist of seven batteries, five below the town and two above. In the former are mounted two 10-inch columbiads, eight rifled 32-pounders, two smooth-bore 42-pounders, and one 10-inch mortar, and in the latter three 8-inch columbiads, one rifled 32, an done rifled 18-pounder, which embrace all the efficient guns for the defense of the river we have received in a condition to be mounted, except two 42-pounder smooth-bore guns that have been sent up the Yazoo River. The batteries above named are in good condition, and I think capable of resisting an attack of the enemys fleet, but I am not sure they can prevent his passing up the river if he should have the boldness to attempt it. The location of the raft upon the Yazoo River was changed by the advice of General Smith to a point thirty miles above the one first selected, where the river is represented to be narrower, the enrrei~t weaker, and the facility for making a thorough obstruction of the river greater. This work is nnder the superintendence and direction of an energetic and efficiemit man, and I hope will soon be made to answer the purpose intendedof preventing the enemys boats from passing up that stream. Lieutenant Storke, of the Engineer Corps, has been sent up the Yazoo to attend to the location and construction of a battery for the protection of the raft on that river. We are now constructing shell- proofs at the different batteries, which I do not regard as very impor- tant, except at one battery, as the men at the others are quite well pro- tected without them. The features of the surrounding country are such For reply, see Yaii Dorn to Beauregard, Vol. X, Part II, p. 532 Page 317 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE~ ETC.CONFEDERATE. 317 as to render it very strong, and without any other defensive works I think any probable attack the enemy may attempt with his land forces can be repelled. The want of labor has prevented an earlier completion of the batteries and rendered it impracticable to construct as extensive works as the general desired; nevertheless I believe they are sufficient, with the natural strength of our position, to prevent the enemy from obtaining possession of this Doint. I have the honor to be, colonel, your obedient servant, D. B. HARRIS, [15.1 Captain of Engineers. COMMANDANTS OFFICE, CONFEDERATE POST, Fayette, May 20, 1862. Brig. Gen. ThoMAs JORDAN, - Assistant Adjutant- General, Corinth: SIR: By Col. Samuel R. Walker, who bears this, I desire to lay before General Beauregard the situation of this part of his command. Of its total destitution in a military point I have before advised; of the pos- itive necessity of military aid I need hardly dilate upon. The enemy has full and undisputed possession of Katchez and the surrounding coun- try; their force will uo doubt soon be increased, when their advances will be more extended and disastrous, independent of which the effect npon the people is unfortunate as giving rise to coolness and disaft~ec- tion; upon the servile population it is of course worse. Allow me therefore to suggest, first, that a camp be located at this place with (lepots, & c. It is healthy, convenient, and central, forty-seven miles from railroad over a good road, twenty-two from Port Gibson, sixteen from Rodney, twenty-six miles from Natchez, and the country not exhausted by demands for supplies. Second. That I be authorized to call for conscripts or volunteers from any part of the State, to be formed, organized, & c. As camps must be formed in the State, one could as well be located here as any other place. Third. That a small portion of drilled troops should be located here for present emergen- cmes until the conscripts are fit for service. As we are totally unpre- pared for any hostility, a small force would be of infinite service at the present. In this plan, which I have not time to enlarge upon, should of course be included the power to carry out the above views, for the accomplishing of which much labor is needed, stores, supplies, arms, ammunition, hospitals, depots, provender, forage, repairing arms, per- haps foundries, and in short, all the wants and necessities of an army. Allow me to ask instructions in regard to the destruction of cotton. The non-arrival of my secretary prevents my sending copy of my gen- eral orders on that subject, but around Natchez on takimig command I burned all on the Mississippi River, as the boats of the enemy were in close proximity. Upon their landing force opposite Natchez I burnt within five miles, and increased the extent to ten miles npon further evidence of increase of aggression. I have no means of defending any point; but seven conscripts appeared for duty until yesterday, when perhaps twenty came, undisciplined and unavailable. The enemy by seizing horses and mules could easily procure cotton if they were ready for the attempt, for our only safety has existed in their anxiety for other objects. Please send special instructions on this point in this identical case, that may be as a gnide for the future. The enemy by throwing out and supporting strong pickets would surround and isolate a large extent of country and secure the cotton. As to burn it insid Page 318 318 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. of such lines would be a matter of difficulty, I have issued a proclama- tion calling upon planters to prevent the enemy obtaining supplies of any kind, allowing which to the enemy constitutes in my opinion treason against the Confederate States. I telegraphed to be informed the extent of my authority, by which of course all my acts must be regu- lated. I think all and full authority should be given, for disaffection is growing fast, treason begins to raise its head, and servile discontent shown plainly. This state of affairs calls for a cool, firu~, and vigorous hand, but which is totally ineffectual unless aided by a force sufficient to make orders and demands respected. Be pleased, therefore,to give me your instructions in full, to which I shall conform to the best of my ability. Send also directions relating to the course to be pur- sued in the trials of sundry parties arrested for treason and other crimes; as to the mode of trial, by whom, & c. I cannot too strongly urge the positive value of batteries upon the Mississippi IRiver at cer- tain eligible points. The enemy are using the common river steam- boats for 4ransports, which could be sunk with ease if guns were prop- erly placed, supported by a sufficient force. Grand Gulf, Quitman Landing, Natchez, and Ellis Cliffs afford very desirable points, and would check the enemy ascending or sink them returning. Good-sized guns can be made movable and be of immense service. I consider it my duty to lay this before you as an important matter connected with your department, which your absence prevents your realizing as fully as though you were here. Fifteen or twenty of the enemys vessels have gone up the river with several thousand troops, and no doubt every exertion will be used for the reduction of Yicksburg, in which I sincerely trust they will be defeated. I telegraphed in regard to my power and authority, but have no reply.* Respectfully, your obedient servant, C. G. DAIILGEEN, [15.] Commandant. RALEIGH N. C May 22, 1862. Hon. G. W. RANDOLPH, Secretary of War: SIR: The people in Western North Carolina have great apprehen- sions of an invasion of East Tennessee by the enemy, and are very desirous that an adequate force should be stationed on that border. it would have great moral effect on the disloyal portion of East Tennes- see and likewise on the force of the enemy attempting to invade that part of Tennessee. You are perfectly aware of the vast supplies which are furnished from that section to the Southern Confederacy, and their importance to us in all respects. I am earnestly requested by leading citizens in that part of our State to call your attention to this subject, and earnestly but respectfully do so. Your Department of course will be fully informed of the necessities which exist for this appeal. I remain, very truly, yours, & c., [10.] D. M. BARIRINGER. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT No. 1, Jackson, Miss., May 25, 1862. General G. T. BEAUREGARD, Corinth, Miss.: DEAR GENERAL: I inclose you a copy of a letter received from Gen- eral Lee. I shall probably make my headquarters here, but shall be For reply, see Beauregami to Dahigren, Vol. XV, p. 744. See May 8, 1862, Vol. VI, p. 652 Page 319 CHAP. LXIV.) CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 319 in motion personally a great part of the time between Camp Moore, Yicksburg, and certain points on the river eligible as commanding positions for artillery (field) to annoy enemys gun-boats, and destroy the transports. If you cannot spare me some small-arms, say at least the 800 intended for me that Bragg seized, I very much fear that I shall be unable to keep back the enemy on both railroads. I have nearly 3,600 men of all arms at Yicksburg, and about 1,200 at C amp Moore, which latter are constantly threatened by greatly superior numbers. I want arms, arms, arms, and I can carry out my plans, which are to hold the two railroads at Yicksburg and Camp Moore, leaving the enemy to occupy the different towns on the river until such time as the fall of the water will rid us of his gun-boats, when we can retake point after point all the way down to New Orleans, and possibly that city itself if fever should make its appearance and compel the navy to leave. All this, however, depends npon my ability to arm a sufficient force now to prevent him from dispossessing us of these roads, and this I can only do with your help. I broke myself down to put you on foot in March, and you must strain a point to help me out now, recollecting that in so doing you are assisting to preserve the commu- nications of your own army. Without the cattle and corn from Loui- siana and Lower Mississippi to come by these railroads, you will be in a bad predicament. Yours, truly, [15.] M. LOVELL. ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERALS OFFICE, Richmond, May 26, 1862. General G. T. BEAUREGARD, Corinth, Miss.: The ninety-days volunteers in the Army of the Confederacy are required by the conscription act to continue in service, but are not authorized to reorganize. Reorganization by the act applies only to twelve-mouths men. S. COOPER, [10.] Adjutant and Inspector General. HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIvIsIoN, FIRST CORPS, Corinth, May 27, 1862. Maj. GEORGE WILLIAMSON, Assistant Adjutant- General: MAJOR: There are but few persons left capable of bearing arms in the county of Bolivar and the adjoining counties on the Mississippi River. Those counties contain a very large negro populhtiou. Some of the citizens have removed their cotton but two or three miles from the river, and if the enemy take possession of the country they will easily find it through information derived from the slaves. One com- pany of cavalry would be of great service in protecting flom the small parties that would be sent out by the enemy. The company of Captain Montgomery (Lindsays regiment), raised in Bolivar County, knowing the county well, would be best qualified for this service, and I respect- fully suggest, for the consideration of the commanding general, the propriety of sending that company or some other on this duty. I am, very respectfully, & c., CHAS. CLARK, Brig. Gen., Comdg. 18t Dir., 1st Corps, Army of the Mississippi. [10. Page 320 320 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERALS OFFICE, Montgomery, JVfay 29, 1862. Col. HENRY TALEIRD, Comdg. Forty-first Regiment Alabama Vols., Tuscaloosa: COLONEL: Have just received a dispatch from General Bragg in these words: Send to Columbus, Miss., all your organized regiments. We have arms for all. The Governor regrets being obliged to send troops to the field so soon after their organization, but presumes the exigency is a pressing one. Three of our new regiments have already reached Corinth, and two more will leave this week. Please write me the earliest day at which your regiment caii leave. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEG. GOLI)TIIWAITE, [15.] Adjutant and inspector General of Alabama. BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, HARDEES CORPS, June 3, 1862. General JORDAN, Chief of Staff: GENERAL: In obedience to orders received by telegraphic dispatch I am en route for Winchester to join my forces with Colonel Starnes regiment of cavalry and two pieces of artillery. Colonel Davis regi- ment of dismounted cavalry is also en route to join me. I have sent a detachment of seventy-five men under Captain Leavell, First Kentucky Cavalry, to capture, if practicable, a detachment of Federal cavalry at Stevenson. I shall attempt, as soon as practicable, to destroy the rail. road and other lines of communication for General Mitchels army. General M. seems to be making a demonstration upon Chattanooga; has at Fayetteville about 3,000 troops, at Bellefonte about same num- ber, and some, number not known, at Winchester, others at Shelbyville, at Wartrace, and about 500 at Nashville. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN AI)AMS, [10.] Colonel~ C. S. Ar my, Commanding Brigade. BALDWYN, June 5, 1862. (Received 6th.) The PRESIDENT: Do not send any one just now to command the Trans.Mississippi Dis- trict. It will bring trouble to this army. Hindman has been sent there temporarily. Price will be on to see you soon. EARL VAN DOIIN, [15.] Major. General. JACKSON, June 6, 1862. The PRESIDENT: DEAR SIR: I have thought that a line from me touching the condi- tion of affairs in this quarter would not be unacceptable. From official sources I learn that there are from 4,000 to 5,000 armed troops in the department commanded by General Lovell, which embraces the region between the line of Grenada to New Orleans. There are no batterie Page 321 CHAP. Lxiv.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 321 except those at Yicksburg, one below the city with some eighteen or twenty guns, and another just above with a smaller number. The enemy have from fifteen to twenty gun-boats, according to the most reliable intelligence, threatening that position. It is said that he has not less than 30, 00~Ii troops in New Orleans and on the Mississippi River. It is thought he will land in large force at some exposed point with a view to seizing the New Orleans and Jackson Railroad, and ulti- mately taking possession at Jackson of the Southern Railroad, the road connecting the Mississippi River with the Atlantic, and the only line from east to west which he has not yet interrupted. It is believed that the apprehension of an epidemic at New Orleans will hasten this movement. In conversation with General Lovell to-day, while he did not indicate a purpose not to contest the advance of the enemy, he expressed without reservation the unqualified opinion that with his present force he would be utterly unable to prevent the enemy from taking possession of the capital of the State and the railroad lines as above explained. I thought it my duty to put you in possession of these facts and of the opinion of the commanding general. Probably he has done so in a more intelligible manner. I doubt not that the unfortunate result at New Orleans has led the country to place a lower estimate upon that officers merits than lie deserves, but it is due to candor to say that under existing circumstances his capacity for use- fulness is - not as great as it should be in view of the transcendent importance of the position which he occupies. I will not presume to make suggestions, feeling well assured that you will act with a view to the advancement of the common cause and rcalizing the obstacles which lie in your pathway. It is not amiss to say that General Lovell does not take to himself any blame for the fall of New Orleans. In presence of another gentleman to-day he informed me that he coinmu- nicated to the Secretary of War before the capture of the city his apprehension of that event, and he stated, moreover, that it was ren- dered inevitable by the failure of the Government to adopt his sugges- tions and respond to his appeals. If it is compatible with the general plan of defense to increase our forces operating upon the line of the Mississippi River, pardon me for expressing the hope that the matter will receive early attention. From your friend, truly, [10.] E. BARKSDALE. HDQRs. DEPT. OF MIDDLE AND EASTERN FLORIDA, Tallahassee, June 10, 18G2. General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General: GENERAL: The Fourth Regiment Florida Volunteers, fully armed and equipped, leave Chattahoochee to-day for Columbus, Ga., en route to join General Beauregard. When the order to move this regiment was received two companies belonging to the regiment were serving at Tampa and it took several days for them to reach their command, and besides the regiment was being reorganized for the war, hence the delay in getting them out of the State. The Sixth Regiment and eight companies of the Seventh Regiment are now being paid their bounty and will leave at an early day for Chattanooga to report to General E. Kirby Smith. The two companies of the Seventh now at Tampa Bay 21 R RYOL LII, PT I Page 322 322 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. will follow the regiment to Tennessee as soon as possible. Both regi- ments are fully armed and equipped and composed of good material and well offleered. I have the honor to be, general, & c., JOSEPH FINEGAK, [10.] Bi~igadier- General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS CHALMERs CAVALRY BRIGADE, June 13, 1862. Colonel LAY: COLONEL: I am directed by Brigadier-General Chalmers to say that he has been informed that the enemy are retreating from Booneville in great disorder, leaving great numbers of stragglers and deserters behind. You will therefore move promptly at 3 oclock to-morrow morning, with the detachment ordered to be in readiness from your regiment, to the point ~n Clear Creek recently occupied by General Bragg as a camp, where you will be joined by detachments from Colonel Adams, Colonel Clantons, Colonel Slemons, and Colonel Brewers regiments. You will assume command of the whole and follow the enemy at once in a close and rapid pursuit, picking up all stragglers and destroying or bringing oft all property which they may leave behind. Lientenant-Colonel Wade will join you with the detachment from his regiment. The general will confer with him personally to-night, and he will be able to give you his views and purposes more in detail. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, WA. GOODMAN, [17.] Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. VICKsBuRG Miss June 15, 1862. , ., JEFFERSON DAVIS, President, Aichmond, Ye.: Possession of Yicksbnrg apparently a question of infantrymore desfred, and a clear-headed general officer needed in addition, whether ranking me or not, is [not] important so that we succeed. If there is time to mnoumit the rifle cannon with carriages and ammunition, acceptable. Enemy appearing again from below. Nothing known of him fiom above. The Arkansas expected to be finished in five days. Captain Browns energy satisfies us.* M. L. SMITH, [15.] Brigadier- General, Commanding. RICHMOND, VA., June 18, 1862. His Excellency Governor PETTUS, Jackson, Mis.~.: The President is absent. The arms, 1,000 in number, may be expected via Mobile. General Bragg cannot leave. We hope that Gemmeral Magruder will go immediately. I shall see him this evening, and if lie goes will telegraph to you. Has Colonel Falconer been heard from about the camp of instruction ~ (1. W. RANDOLPH, [15.] Secretary of War. * This in reply to i)avi~, Vol. XV, p. 754 Page 323 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 323 JACKSON, June 22, 1862. His Excellency the PRESIDENT: SIR: I arrived here yesterday. I find large fleets of gun-boats, mortar-boats, and transports, with troops ascending and descending the river toward Vicksburg. Said to be 10,000 men with them. Have ordered 5,000 men from Grenada to re-enforce me. Will defend to the death. Can you order me any arms for troops raising in this State~* EARL VAN DOIRN, [15.] Major- General. MILLEDGEVILLE, GA., June 23, 1862. General S. COOPER, Adjutant ~and Inspector General, C. ~. Army, Richmond, Va.: M~ DEAR GENERAL: It affords me much pleasure to comply with the request you made in our recent interview at Charleston to put upon your records so much of the circumstances of the bombardment which took place at Pensacola on the 1st day of January last, and of the con- duct of Brig. Gen. II. 11. Anderson, commanding C. S. forces on that occasion, as came under my personal observation. The immediate cause of the bombardment was a visit to the navy-yard of a passenger steam- boat from- Pensacola. This steam-boat came down by permission of Major Farrar, acting inspector-general, and, as Major Farrar himself informed me, without the knowledge of General Anderson, but upon the authority given him by General Bragg some time previously. General Bragg and his inspector- general were absent in Mobile. While the steam-boat lay at the yard she was fired upon by the enemy. This might have been expected, for we fired upon one of the enemys boats upon a like occasion. The battery nearest the steam-boat returned the fire at once. A few moments after another of our batteries in the vicinity returned the fire. The ej~emy did not reply for upward of half an hour and then ~ith all of his guns. I was en route for Pensacola, but returned to General Andersons headquarters. Upon meeting him I remarked, You are in luck, general. He replied, Too much of a good thing is good for nothing; that had lie known of the intended visit of the boat he should have made such preparations as to have taken advantage of the enemy. As it was, the enemy had sheltered himself before returning our fire. I will remark here that our batteries (scattered over several miles) had orders to reply at once to any fire of the enemy directed toward them, but upon exchange of shots elsewhere to be sure that the enemy meant a general engagement before firing. This order was to resent any act of the enemy, but at the same time to guard against bringing on a general bombardment, as our supply of ammunition was limited. General Anderson then consulted me con- cerning our supply of ammunition, the condition of our batteries, & c. I informed him that as it was late in the afternoon we might fire all of our guns with ordinary rapidity until dark, and occasionally during the night, without materially injuring our supply, but that I did not think we could continue firing during the ensuing day. Should the enemy reopen next day we might reply in the afternoon about an hour to sun- set with all of our vigor, and so on for several days. I dined with General Anderson and afterward rode with him to the navy-yard. Leaving General Anderson and the navy-yard at sunset, I returned to my quarters and took my wife to the beach to see the firing. I called upon General Anderson and family during the evening, taking my wife For reply, 8C~ Davis to Van Dorn, Vol. XV, p. 767 Page 324 324 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. with me and remaining until quite late. During all my interviews with General Anderson his conduct was that of a gentleman and of an officer ready and able to do his duty. In conclusion, I feel justified in the opinion that had I been present my evidence and such other as I could have produced would have prevented the arrest of General Anderson and the charges against him. I remain, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. B. BOGGS, [6] Chief Engineer State of Georgia. CLOVERDALE, LOOKOUT VALLEY, GA., June 23, 1862. G. W. RANDOLPH Secretary of War: SIR: If Chattanooga falls the following serious disasters will follow, viz: First. The Yankees will control the terminus of the East Ten- nessee and Virginia Railroad and of the Georgia State road. Second. The Confederate States will be cut off from its supply of coal for its work-shops and foundries in Georgia and South Carolina. Third. The Confederate States will be cut off from its main supply of saltpeter. Fourth. The gate will be closed to us for a movement into Middle Tennessee, which if not soon made in force Tennessee will be lost to us. Fifth. If possessed of Chattanooga, the Yankees can invade Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina. While such dangers will flow from the fall of Chattanooga no place in the Confederacy has greater natural advantages for defense. It can easily be fortified arid then held by an inferior again& ~t a greatly superior force. I regret to say that up to this time its fortification has been neglected. Coining up to Chattanooga lately from my home in Macon, Ga., these views impressed me deeply, and I beg leave to present them to you. Vice- President Stephens and, Colonel Memminger know me, to whom, if desirable, you are referred as to who has the honor of addressing you. Respectfully, your obedient servant, [16.] JAMES A. NISBET. VJCKSBURG, June 23, 1862. (Received 24th.) JEFFERSON DAVIS: Have sent to Oxford for 6,000 men by authority of General Bragg. Transports with troops of enemy will probably arrive to-night. Twenty- seven gun and mortar boats now below city. Will not give up unless beaten back by superior force. Foot by foot the city will be sacrificed. Of course, citizens proud to do so, Will you place the ram Arkansas, now on Yazoo, under my orders ~ * EARL VAN DORIN, [15.] ]Jiiajor- General. TUPELO, MIss., June 24, 1862. Hon. G. W. RANDOLPH, Secretary of War, Richmond, Va.: The Presidents telegram was received. The enemy still confronts me with a superior force. To detach any more would place me directly For reply, see Davis to Vaii Porn, Vol. XV, p. 767 Page 325 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONPEDERATE. 325 on the defensive. The present dividing line between Departments 1 and 2 is exceedingly inconvenient. The only communication for me east or west passes through General Vail Dorns command. BRAXTON BRAGG, [17.] General, Commanding. JACKSON, June 25, 1862. General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va.: I have been relieved by General Van Dorn. Have no orders. Would prefer to be sent to the field of immediate action. Will I be allowed a change of position to put an end to unfounded popular clamors ~ M. LOVELL. [15.] GRENADA, Miss., June 30, 1862. His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS, President of the Confederate states, Richmond, Va.: SIR: I take the liberty (prompted by my good will to our cause) to draw your -attention to a few facts in regard to the partisan rangers which you are now authorizing to be raised, which I hope you will excuse, and that they may also be useful to you. The condition of the State of Missouri last summer made nearly all of our proceedings tinc- ture of the partisan ranger, for we had to rob both friend aud foe, and therefore I had an opportunity to judge of the effects of the system in its different lights. I did not find one man in a thousand fit to conduct a force into the Union counties, and not one soldier in a hundred who could be trusted in such a party, and I am sorry to see that the persons who are raising these corps do not j~inderstand the true object of the act of Congress or the true material with which success is to be gained. The proper material is that out of which our pioneers are made, the men who brave the hardships and dangers of the frontier to better their condition, and the brave and chivalrous young men who go with them for the dangers ai~d excitements sakethe bravery, endurance, and object of the gold digger, the mountaineer, and the explorer, and not the bravery that dares the halter to steal a horse, or your knife, to rob your pocket. In your appointment of officers you have certainly had these objects in view, for your selections give evidence of it, but some of them and the people at large do not look upon the matter in the proper light, and those that I have seen most anxious to join have been induced to believe that they are to be a band of licensed robbers, and are not the men to care whether it be friend or foe they rob. We lost many friends and irritated many lukewarm Union men in Missouri, and I have seen it already commenced in Tennessee and Mississippi, and therefore I feel it my duty to draw your attention to the facts, so that proper orders and regulations may issue from headquarters to define clearly the extent of their privileges; for although the law says dis- tinctly that they are subject to the rules and regulations, yet they think, and the general impression is, that they are intended for detached service entirely, and will be allowed to roam and do as they please. Do not understand me to say the officers think these things, but it is the general impression with a large class of the men, who will do us more harm than good if they are not set right. I have had several difficulties with these free lances already on points of discipline Page 326 32~ SW. VA., ICY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [Citir. LXIV. which my notions, loose as they are, cannot stand; therefore you will please excuse me for troubling you on the subject. I am, sir, yours, most respectfully, M. JEFF. THOMPSON, Brig. Gen., Missouri State Guard, on Special Service, C. S. Army. [17.] UNION, MONROE COUNTY, VA., July 3, 18G2. Hon. G-. W. IIANDOLPH, Secretary of War, C. S. A.: IDEAR SIR: Feeling a very deep interest in the success of our cause, and knowing that its success depends greatly upon the competency and efficiency of the officers in command of our armies, and that it is exceedingly difficult for you to know or ascertain the competency of many officers you have to appoint to important commands, and know- ing your desire to obtain all the information possible in regard to qual- ifications of commanders, we deem it our duty to state to you privately something of the management of General ileth while lately in command of the forces in this section of the State, as he may be assigned to some important command, the failure of which would much embarrass our- cause. General Heth, from all we can see or know, is a gentleman, and we feel no prejudice toward him, but we believe that his want of energy and capacity totally disqualify him for a brigade or division commander. All his operations have proved failures. At Giles Court- House he permitted 600 of the enemy to take possession of the place, and when he brought 2,000 men up to attack them (and when all could have been surrounded and captured) he permitted them to escape with the loss of not more than four. A few days subseqnently he marched his forces within three miles of Mercer Court-House, where th eenemy was about 2,000 strong, amd had on the same evening been met and defeated by Colonel Wharton, and were completely demoralized, as admitted by their commander, and the whole of the enemy must have been captured by General Heth; but when getting within three miles of them he ordered a retreat and fell back twenty miles, and permitted the enemy to escape. Afterward, the affair at Lewi~burg came off and all the officers we have conversed with assure us the victory woald have been complete over the enemy had it not been for the unfortunate orders of General ileth. But to ~ap the climax, the passage of the enemy through this place and this county is the most inexcusable and disgraceful. The enemy (1,700 strong) was permitted to leave Meadow Bluff in Greenbrier; march into time county of Monroe; remain in the county three nights; pass through General Heths camp at Salt Sul- phur; through Union, carrying off a large number of negroes and other property of the citizens; and General ileth ran from the Salt Sulphui into the mountains, with the Twenty-second Regiment of Infantry, the Forty-fifth Regiment of Infantry, the Eighth Regiment of Cavalry, Jacksons battalion of cavalry, also Edgars battalion of infantry and four companies of artillery, with the Thirty-sixth Regiment so located as to fall in the enemy~s rear, if so ordered; and General Heth remained hid until the enemy passed; and after he had got away with the negroes, beef-cattle, horses, and wagons he had seized amid taken froni tIme citi- zens, General Heth came out from his hiding place, and again occupied his camps, at or near the Salt Sulphur. We will not characterize Gen- eral Heths conduct, as is universally done here, as cowardly and trai- torous, but merely state the fact, so you may know what position it migh Page 327 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 327 be proper to assign him to. We have deemed it our duty to make this statement iu confidence to you, as you might not otherwise learn the facts. General Heth having been ordered froni this command can do no further injury to us, but might do irreparable injury at some other point. We are, most respectfully, your obedient servants, A. A. CIIAPMAX. OLIVER BEIRNE. [First indorsernent.] Respectfully submitted to the President for his information. These are gentlemen of wealth, intelligence, and respectability, but other gentlemen, their equals in all respects, think very differently with the same opportunities of observation. G. W. R. [Second indorsement.] The character as a soldier of Brigadier-General ileth is well estab- lished by long and arduous service. Unprofessional criticism should not impair the confidence of the War Department, but judgment should rest on the official reports. With this I return a letter from General ileth on the conduct of certain parties in Southwestern Virginia. J. p. [Inclosure.] CHATTANOOGA, TENN., July 4, 1862. Col. G. W. C. LEE, C. S. Army, Aide-dc- Camp to the President, Richmond, Va.: DEAR CUSTIS: I wish to make a statement which I think the Presi- dent should be cognizant of; as it materially militates against the inter- est of the Confederate States in Southwestern Virginia. A party of bad, bold, and disappointed meifare trying in every way to break down the C. S. army in the section of country which I have just left. I regret to say that it is my belief that General Floyd is at the head of this organization. The object appears to be to break down the C. S. army in Southwestern Virginia, and upon its ruins to build up an army of their own, or to render it unpopular, and if possible, inefficient. They urge upon the people that the conscript law never was intended to be carried into effect that Congress had no idea of compelling all men between. the ages of eighteen and thirty-five to enter the service, but it was to be optional, trusting to their patriotism; that the law was especially passed to affect the Army as it stood, and keep up its orgall- ization; in other words, that the conscript law is a law arid no law. A system of maligning and abusing C. S. officers was inaugurated in Southwestern Virginia as soon as General Floyd returned to that sec- tion of the country, prior to the passage of the conscript law. To such an extent was it carried on by General Floyds agents in General Marshalls command that General M. informed me he was compelled torepresent the case officially to the War Department. I was subse- quently informed by Colonel McCausland that as soon as his regiment was attached to my command the same system was pursued among his men, persuading them not to re-enlist under my command. The sim- plest official act of a commander in Southwestern Virginia is censured by the newspapers in the pay of this party, and the utmost done to break down his influence. If the army which the State of Virginia has authorized General Floyd to raise is ever organized, I am confiden Page 328 328 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. PLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. that conscripts and deserters will form its larger proportion. Although the adjutant-general of the State has been very explicit in regard to receiving conscripts, his orders are ignored. I do not make this state- ment in consequence of the many and severe newspaper attacks made on me, as I was simply a mark for these mcii who were striking a.t higher game. I know that these slanders have not injured me with the Execntive, but I do it to place at the disposal of the President facts which he can use when, in his judgment, it is advisable to do so. Hoping the day is not far distant when all such unpatriotic and bad men may meet their desert, I am, very sincerely, your friend, H. HETH, [16.] Brigadier General, C. S. Army. SPECIAL ORDERS ADJT. AND INSP. GENERALS OFFICE, 7) No. 155. * Richmond, July 5, 1862. * * -* * * X. The battalion of Florida Volunteers under Lieut. Col. William Miller will proceed at once to Tupelo, Miss., and report for duty to General Braxton Bragg, commanding. * * * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, [17.] Assistant Adjutant- General. VICKSBURG, July 12, 1862. (Received 13th.) President DAVIS: Bombardment of Vicksbnrg I think given up. Mortar-boats have gone down the river. Fleet still here, part above, part below city. Enemy at work still on canal across neck opposite city. Will fail, I am told by river engineers. Can put up batteries opposite outlet, within mile and half range. City can only be taken by an army. Nothing yet to indicate intention. This department now reduced to district subordinate, which has been done [sic]. I assumed command. I have been ever thus trammeled and cannot help but feel it.* EARL VAN DORN, [15.] Major- General. SPECIAL ORDERS, ~ ADJI. AND INSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 162. Richmond, July 14, 1862. * * * * * * * IV. Capt. H. B. Thompsons company Alabama Volunteers will report to Maj. Gen. E. K. Smith, commanding, & c., at Knoxville, Teun., for duty as a part of Col. John T. Morgans regiment Partis~n Rangers (Fifty-first Alabama). * * * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, [16.] Assistant Adjutant- General. For reply, see Vol. XV, p. 778 Page 329 CHAP. LXIV.l CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 3~9 VICKSBIJRG, July 14, 1862. President DAVIS: I thank you for your kindness. The Arkansas was to have been out this morning; have iiot heard yet why she has not made her appear- ancelook for her every moment. She has much to contend with here, but it was deemed better to let her try her strength than to get aground in the Yazoo and be burnt up like the rest. Pinckney should be tried by court-martial. Arkansas ordered to run the gauntlet, and, if suc- cessful, to sweep the river below and run to Mobile as soon as out. I will inform you of result. Canal not yet in running order.* EARL VAN DORN, [15.] ]iliajor- General. YICKSBURG, July 15, 1862. President DAVIS: All the vessels of war of the lower fleet, except sloop.of-war, and all transports, have gotten up steam and are off to get out of way of Arkansas. One mortar-boat, disabled and aground, is now burning up. EARL VAN DORN, [15.] Major- General. VICKSBURO, July 15, 1862. To the PRESIDENT: Arkansas, under cover our batteries, ran gloriously through twelve or thirteen rams, gun-boats, and sloops-of-war. Ten men killed and less wounded. Captain Brown, her commander and hero, was slightly wounded in the head. Smoke-stack riddled; otherwise not materially damaged. Soon be repaired and then, Ho! for New Orleans. Two of the enemys boats ran into shore to keep from sinkingstruck col- orsmany killed and wounded. Glorious for the navy, and glorious for her heroic commander, officers, and men. They deserve your thanks. EARL VAN DORN, [15.] Major- General. VICKSBIJEG, July 16, 1862. President DAVIS: Enemy opened all their guns and mortars last evening and shelled the city and batteries until after dark, when eight of their vessels of war passed down under fire of batteries and Arkansas broadsides. What damage was done to them have not learned, though they were repeatedly pierced by shot of heaviest caliber. One heavy shot passed through side of Arkansas, killing 2 men and wounding 3. This was all the damage done to us, with exception of one house burned down in city. Our troops have contempt for fleet and bombardment and await coolly for troops to land. The Arkansas is the admiration of all, and her daring and heroic act has inspired all with the greatest enthu- siasm. She is now being repaired and will soon be ready for orders. EARL VAN DORN, [15.] Major- General. * This in reply to Davis, Vol XV, p. 778 Page 330 330 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. SPECIAL ORDERS, ADJT. AND INSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 165. Richmond, July 17, 1862. * * * * * * * XI. Capt. J. D. Bradford, assistant adjutant-general, Provisional Army, will report to General Braxton Bragg, commanding, & c., at Tupelo, Miss., for duty with Brig. Gen. ID. W. Adams. * * * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, [17.] Assistant Adjutant- General. TUPELO Miss President JEFFERSON DAVIS, , ., July 21, 1862. Z?ichmond, Va.: Will move immediately to Chattanooga in force and advance from there. Forward movement from here in force is not practicable. Will leave this line well defended. BRAXTON BRAGG. [17.] SPECIAL ORDERS, ADJT. AND JNSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 169. * Richmond, July 22, 1862. * * * * * * II. Col. J. Lucius Davis, of Tenth Regiment of Virginia Cavalry, will proceed to Dllblin Depot, Va., and report to Major. General Loring, com- inanding Department of Southwestern Virginia, for duty with the cavalry in that Department. * * * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, [16.] Assistant Adjutant- General. President JEFFERSON DAVIS, TUPELO, MIss., July 22, 1862. Richmond, Va.: Obstacles in front connected with danger to Chattanooga induce a change of base. Fully impressed with great importance of that line, am moving to East Tennessee. Produce rapid offensive from there fol- lowing the consternation now being produced by our cavalry. Leave this State amply protected by Van Dorn at Vicksburg and Price here. BRAXTOX BRAGG. [17.] TUPELO, July 22, 1862. General BEAUREGARD: M~ DEAR GENERAL: As II am changing entirely, under altered cir- cumstances, the plan of operations here, I submit to you what I propose and beg your candid criticism, and in view of the cordial and sincere relations we have ever maintained, I trust to your compliance. I a Page 331 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 331 moving the Army of the Mississippi, 34,000 effectives, to East Tennes- see to join with Smiths 20,000 and take the offensive. My reasons are: Smith is so weak as to give me great nneasiness for the safety of his line, to lose which would be a great disaster. They refuse to aid him from the east or south and put the whole responsibility on me. To aid him at all from here necessarily renders me too weak for the offensive against ilalleck, with at least 60,000 strongly intrenched in my front. With the country between us reduced almost to a desert by two armies and a drouth of two months, neither of us could well advance in the absence of rail transportation. It seemed to inc then I was reduced to the defensive altogether or to the move I am making. By throwing my cavalry forward toward Grand Junction and Tuscumbia the impression is created that I am advancing on both places and they are drawing in to meet me. The Memphis and Charleston road has been kept cut, so they have no use of it and have at length given it up. Before they can know my movement I shall be in front of Buell at Chattanooga, and by cutting off his transportation may have him in a tight place. Van Dorn will be able to hold his own with about 20,000 on the Mississippi. Price stays here with 16,000. Thus you have my plan. I leave to-mor- row for Mobile, thence to Chattanooga. Our cavalry is paving the way for me in Middle Tennessee and Keutneky. Crittenden is quite a prize, and the whole affair in proportion to numbers more brilliant than the grand battles where strategy seems to have been the staple pro- duction on both sides~ and if I am any judge the enemy beat us at it. We may congratulate ourselves that McClellan was satisfied with changing his base, for it occurs to my obtuse mind that a bold stroke at Richmond, while we were hunting for him, would have ruined us. The papers seem to be groping in the dark as to the reasons which influenced the change here, and attributing motives to each of us never entertained by either. Fortunately we know each other too well and have this cause too much at heart to be influenced by these things.* Hoping for your restoration and return, truly yours, BRAXTON BRAGG. [16.] YIcKsBURG, July 22, 1862. The PRESIDENT: An attempt made this morning by two iron-clad rams to sink the Arkansas. The failure so complete that it was almost ridiculous. Several men were, how ever, killed by a shot entering one of her ports. Canal will be a failure. Nothing can be accomplished by the enemy unless they bring overwhelming numbers of troops. This must be anticipated. EARL YAK DORK, [15.] Miajor- General. TUPELO, MISS., July 24, 1862. General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va.: Start for Chattanooga; one day in Mobile; 5,000 troops a day. Trains move across country. Leave General Price in command here. For reply, see Vol. XVI, Part I, p. 711 Page 332 332 sw. VA., ~ TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. Shall leave Maj. Gen. S. Jones in command at Mobile and take Forney, who desires it, to the field. We need division commanders. Withers and Taylor were asked for. I recommended Henry Little and Frank- lin Gardner, brigadiers, for promotion after them.* BIRAXTON BRAGG. [17.] YICKSBURG, July 24, 1862. (Received 25th.) President DAVIS: The whole of the lower fleet and all the troops have disappeared down the river. The npper fleet in movement, but still at anchorage. Ran one transport ashore above with light battery and burnt her. Mail taken with interesting accounts of the Arkansas. EARL VAN DOIIN, [15.] ]lliajor- General. JACKSON, July 27, 1862. JEFFERSON DAVIS, President, Richmond, T7~t: Captain Brown shall have a crew. All of the enemys boats and troops have left Vicksbnrgnow threatening west portion of the State. Only 1,000 stand of arms have reached me. Much more needed.t JOHN J. PETTUS. [17.] OXFORD, July 28, 1862. JEFFERSON DAVIS, President, Richmond, Va..: The Federals are sweeping this country of its negroes. They have, with bodies of armed men, driven off nearly all the negroes in Arkan- sas. Phillips County they have neither work stock, corn, nor meat, and rob and plunder the houses. They shoot the negroes attempting to escape, and handcuff and chain those refusing to go. They have driven off all I hadmen, women, and childrennearly 400 in number. Can no retaliatory measures be adopted l G. J. PILLOW, [17.] Brigadier- General. SPECIAL ORDERS, ADJT. AND INSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 174. Richmond, July 28, 1862. * * * * * * * XIV. Maj. S. B, French, commissary, & c., will report to Maj. (len. E. K. Smith, commanding Department of East Tennessee, for duty with Brig. Gen. C. L. Stevenson as division commissary. * * * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, [16.] Assistant Adjutant- General. For reply, see Davis to Bragg, Vol. XVII, Part II, p. 659. This in reply to Davis, Vol. XVII, Part II, p. 655 Page 333 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. CONFEDERATE. 333 JULY 28, 1862. Colonel GORGAS: The President wishes to know why the arms sent to Vicksburg have not reached. Only 1,000 small-arms have reached there. He thinks 2,700 were sent. Also what has become of the ordnance and ordnance stores sent. Will Colonel Gorga~.s oblige me by procuring the informa- tion so that I can report the facts to the President in the morning ~ Very respectfully, WM. PRESTON JOHNSTON, [15.] Colonel and Aide-de-Camjp. JULY 28, 186~. Col. WILLIAM PRESTON JOHNSTON: Please to inform the President that nothing but the 1,000 arms, the receipt of which is acknowledged, were sent to Governor Pettus. All other things were directed to General Van Dorn, and special messen- gers were sent. They have doubtless reached there. I will telegraph to the varions points of shipment and to the ordnance officer at Jackson to ascertain. Whole amount sent 4,700, of which about 2,500 were rifles. Respectfully, J. GORGAS, Colonel. RICHMOND, VA., July 29, 1862. Governor HARRIS, Tennessee: SIR: Your letter of the 12th instant to the Secretary of War, suggest- ing the expediency of sending to General Kirby Smiths command the three Tennessee regiments now in Virginia, has been referred to me. You are aware that these are the only Tennessee regiments left in the army now struggling in defense of the Confederate capital, and were I to consent to your proposition your State would be deprived of her share in the glory to be derived from that achievement. I am unwilling, therefore, to detach them from the army in Virginia, but I fully concur with you as to the importance of recruiting their now thinned ranks. I think that by sending home efficient officers from each regiment to collect recruits their exertions, with your efficient aid, will prove speedily successful. To make up a lull brigade, a fourth regiment is necessary. If this can be forwarded, 1 shall be glad of it, but in any event consent to appoint to command the Tennessee regiments the offi- cer whom you designate and so highly recommend and whose influence may contribute advantageously to the formation of the proposed com- mand of four regiments, or, at least, to the recruitment of the three. * Very respectfully and truly, yours, [16.]. JEFFN DAVIS. RICHMOND, VA., July 31, 1862. General G. J. PILLOW, Oxford, Mississippi: Your dispatch received. t With regret I learn the wholesale devas- tation and robbery which you report. The Government will continue * See Harris to Randolph, July 30, 1862, Vol. XVI, Part II, p. 739. See 28th, p. 332 Page 334 334 Sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. to exert its whole power to protect the citizens of the Confederacy, and I hope due punishment may speedily fall on the felons you describe. General Holmes left some time since for Arkansas. JEFFERSON DAVIS. [17.] VICKSBURG, August 1, 1862. (Received 3d.) President DAvis: Breckinridge sent to Baton Rouge. Expect humn to attack Saturday or Sunday. Many of his troops sick. EARL VAN DORN, [15.] iliiajor- General. VICKSBURG, August 2, 1862. (Received 4th.) President DAVIS: Breckinridge has all the men I can spare. He has been reduced since he left one-half by sickness. Must not fail. I want Baton Rouge -and Port Hudson, giving me the mouth of Red River. Bat- teries should be put np at Port Hudson. Can you order me some men to guard and hold ~ Force of the enemy below small and not for- midable. With small army can take New Orleans. My district is drained; but few men left; many plantations without white males; want to do, but have not the means. I appeal to you. Louisiana troops best acclimated. Give inc an order for Wauls Texas Legion by telegraph.* EARL VAN DORN, [15.] Major- General. SPECIAL ORDERS, ~ ADJT. AND INSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 181. ,( Richmond, August 5, 1862. * * * * * * XV. The Sixtieth Regiment Virginia Volunteers, under Col. W. E. Starke, will proceed at once to Dublin Depot, Va., and report for (luty to Maj. Gen. W. W. Loring, commanding, & c. XVI. Maj. P. F. De Gournays battalion heavy artillery will without delay proceed to Jackson, Miss., and report for duty to Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn, commanding, & c. * * * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: JOHN WiTHERS, [16 and 15.] Assistant Adjutant- General. RICHMOND, VA., August 5, 1862. General BRAXTON BRAGG: GENERAL: I have the pleasure to acknowledge yours of the 31st nltimo, and have read the inclosed letter of my honorable complainant For reply, see Vol. XV, p. 794 Page 335 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDEIWE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 335 with mingled feelings of pity and scorn. You have properly appreci- ated, I have no doubt, his motive both in the first and second instance. As to your supposition in relation to the newspaper slips, it is proper that I should give you some evidence against your belief of complicity of Judge W. His political antecedents would not bring him into asso- ciation with the paper making the publication, and if he be capable of such an assault, which I do not think, he would have selected a differ- ent medium. The paper was sent to me with a marginal pencil note, accusing Mr. Yancey as the author of the article headed The Army at Tupelo. I handed the paper to the judge; he read it; did not appear to have seen it before; did not dissent from the opinion of the marginal aunotationist, and treated it as a scurvy attack on the Admin- istration. To preserve the liberty of the press, yet restrain its license, is possible only where it is controlled by a sound taste and sentiment in its patrons. To give information to the enemy is an injury but little extenuated by an improper anxiety to satisfy the curiosity of its read- ers; and here it has frequently occurred that we have been materially damaged by articles, when the purposes to keep within the prescribed limits as to publications concerning army movements, if not real, was at least seeming. You have the misfortune of being regarded as my personal friend, and are pursued, therefore, with malignant censure by men regardless of truth, and whose want of principle to guide their conduct renders them incapable of conceiving that you are trusted because of your known fitness for command and not because of friendly regard. Revolutions develop the high qualities of the good and the great, but they cannot change the nature of the vicious and the selfish. I trust the opportunity will be afforded to you to render the country such service as will compensate you for your long trials and the self- denial with which you have labored to support the cause in which you are enlisted. In Genei-al E. K. Smith you will find one of our ablest and purest officers. He has taken every position without indicating the least tend- ency to question its advantages to himself, without complaint when his prosl)ects for distinction were remote, and with alacrity when dan- gels and hardships were to be met. His promotions, like your own, have conic unsought, and my assurance is complete that the zeal would not have been less had they never been given. Upon your cordial co-operation I can, therefore, confidently rely. 1f as reported, the rail- road has been effectually broken iu rear of Buell, it may enable you to fight the enemy in detachments. Buell being crushed, if your means will enable you to march rapidly on Nashville, Grant will be compelled to retire to the river, abandoning Middle and East Tennessee, or to follow you. His Government will probably require the latter course, and if so, you may have a complete conquest over the enemy, involving the liberation of Tennessee and Kentucky. We have reports here to the effect that a large force has been transferred from Hallecks army in the West for another attack on Richmond. If so, we will endeavor to give them full employment in this quarter, so as to prevent any return to the West. General R. Taylor seemed to be required for Southwestern Louisiana. If he saw you, he gave you fully my views and hopes in relation to that region. He appreciated the compliment of your request that he should be sent you as a division commander. General Van Dorn has sent General Breckinridge against Baton Rouge, but reports his command as suffering greatly from the effects of the climate, and asks for re-enforcements and acclimated troops. We have none to spare from this army, but I will endeavor to send, nevertheless Page 336 336 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MiSS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. a battalion of artillerists, raised in New Orleans and trained here to the use of heavy gnus. The country in East Louisiana and Mississippi has beeu so drained of its population that men cannot be raised there beyond a very limited extent, and until your operations may enable you to relieve the Kentucky troops I do not see how they can be replaced. Very truly, your friend, [17.] JEFFERSON DAVIS. STATE OF FLORIDA, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Tallahassee, August 5, 1862. lion. GEORGE W. RANDOLPH, $ecretary of War: Sin: There is not at this time aii organized regiment in this State. Companies are stationed at different places, but at no point in suffi- cient numbers and with suitable arrangements for defense against invasion by the enemy in moderate force. There is no organization of the militia not even a militia company, and there are so few liable to militia duty in the several districts or beats that no organization can be made agreeably to the provisions of the statutes of the State. But I shall ndeavor to form into volunteer companies all not subject to the act relative to conscripts, and there possibly will be enough to form two regiments, if all who are able to bear arms, without respect to age, will volunteer. The enemy command the Saint Johns River, and are in possession of Saint Augustine and Fernandina, in East Florida. In West Florida, Pensacola, Apalachicola, Saint J osephs and Saint Andrews Bays are blockaded and entirely unprotected. The highest Vote ever cast in the State was 12,898. Eight infantry and one cav- alry regiments, besides independent companies enough to form a tenth regiment, have been ordered from and left the State in Confederate service. In the State are one infantry battalion, eight cavalry, two artillery, and three independent infantry companies, in the aggregate not more than 1,600 effective men. Scarcely a man to every mile of coast by which we are exposed to the power of the enemy. The artil- lery companies can render no service unless sustained by infantry or cavalry, but are liable to destruction or capture, and are an expensive arm of service. It would be better if the two companies were attached to brigades in Virginia or elsewhere, where they could render efficient service, provided we had other means of defense here. Captain Dun- ham, who was stationed at the Mount Vernon Arsenal, was very anxious to be ordered, with his battery, into active service, and com- mands the oldest, best drilled, largest, and best equipped artillery company which has been raised in the State, and was the first to vol- unteer for the war. But Captain Martins battery was ordered from East Florida, transported at great expense upward of 200 miles across the State to Chattahoochee River, and, by order, took from Captain Dunhams battery a large portion of their horses, and proceeded up the Chattahoochee River to report to the officer in command at Chatta- nooga, from the point at which Captain Dunham was stationed. Soon after, horses were transported down the river for Captain Dunhams battery, and he ordered with his battery across the State, upon Captain Martins back track to the position from which he had been ordered. Is it not difficult to .iustify such useless expense to the Government and injustice to the claims which Captain Dunham and his company had to public confidence~ Both Captain Martin and Captain Dunha Page 337 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 337 are gallant officers, and were in command of good batteries, and both, if ordered, would have taken ill) the line of march from positions where neither was rendering efficient service, but were being maintained at great expense. I requested you by telegraph, dated 5th of July, ultimo, to order Dunhams battery, if needed, to Richmond. On the 8th ultimo I received the following reply: Thank you for the offer of Dunhams battery, but you will need men in Florida. Within a few days after- ward the Fifth and Eighth Infantry Regiments were ordered from the State to report at Richmond, the latter regiment without its officers being yet commissioned and without the colonel ever having bad the opportunity of spending an hour on duty with his regiment. These regiments were suddenly and unexpectedly ordered from the State without a moments time to bid farewell to families or arrange for their support. The greater portion of them had volunteered under promises made by their captains that they would be retained for local defense in the State, and when the orders were received it is said some of them deserted, but I presume, having bade adieu to their families, they will return to their regiments. It is difficult for freemen, how ever patriotic and brave, who have had no experience in service, to appreciate promptly the necessity of military rigor. Moreover, many gentlemen who had been officers in the cavalry regiments have recently returned, assigning as a reason that they had resigned and left the service because that, in defiance of the act of Congress reorganizing twelve-months troops, and your decision as made known to General Finegan, they had been denied and prevented from the privilege of electing their field officers. The result is that without an election, and therefore without proper legal authohty, Col. William G. M. Davis is in command of the regi- mnemit, and claiming to rank by seniority Colonel Finley, of the Sixth Regiment, Col. M. S. Perry, of the Seventh Regiment and Colonel Dilworth, of the Third Regiment, which is considered umjust to these officers and their regiments, as well as to the First Florida Cavalry Regiment. Your attention is respectfully invited to the consideration of tuese facts, not in the spirit of complaint, but in justice to intelligent free- men, who in a common cause have cheerfully made every sacrifice demanded and know rio reason why any portion of the citizens of Florida should be denied the equality of right in election secured by the constitution and laws of the Confederate States and of this State. Time population of Florida consists of those over thirty-five years of age (who have not volunteered in the Confederate service), women and children, and a large slave population, and scattercd in settlements from one extreme of tIme State to the other, We cannot suppose that our enemies are foolish enough to steal and support, arm ahd drill large numbers of slaves without the diabolical purpose of using them in waging war against us. Their acts of Congress authorize such warfare, and their President and generals avow the purpose. When- ever it shall be ascertained satisfactorily by slaves that the blacks are in active warfare for their liberation, sustained by bodies of white men, is there not much reason to apprehend that insurrections and massacres will occur where they bave a great excess of population over the white population, as is now particularly the case in Florida? Large numbers have fled from their owners in this State to the enemy for protection, and are daily escaping to them, and no aggressive move has been made by the enemy in particular localities except by the guidance of slaves which had escaped to them. There is not within my knowledge a portion of the State frce of skulking traitors, the 22 R RYOL LII, PT I Page 338 338 Sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. majority of whom are of Northern birth and claiming to be citizens of Florida. Under these circumstances you ulay believe that there is reasonable cause of apprehension pervading the public mind of Florida. I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, JOIIN MILTON, Governor of Florida. [Indorsement.] Inform Governor Miltou that the telegraph declining Captain Dun- hams battery was subsequent to the orders to the Eighth Regiment to leave Florida; that notice was given some time in advance, probably several weeks, of au intention to order the regiment from the State, and that the Fifth Regiment was selected by General Finegan in response to a telegraph to send such infantry as could be spared, and that both regiments had as much time after the order of the Depart- ment for preparation as is usually given; that no complaints have reached the Department in reference to the denial of elections to any Florida regiment; that such complaints are always redressed as promptly as the difficulty of communication with armies in the field will permit; that inquiry will be made of General Finegan into the movements of the artillery companies complained of, and also concern- ing tl~e failure to give proper notice to the Fifth and Eighth Regiments of their intended removal from the State. FG. W. R.] [14 and 15.] HEADQUARTERS FIRST CAVALRY BRIGADE, Lebanon, Augn~t 6, 1862. Maj. G. G. GARJNER, Assistant Adjutant- General: GENERAL: Having this morning learned that the enemy was in large force seven miles below this place, I moved forward the largest propor- tion of my command, leaving my wagons and such men as were unwell, or had nseless horses, at camp near Liberty, under command of Colonel Lawton, Second Georgia Regiment, Cavalry. When within 5iX miles of this place several citizens informed me that a force of 12,000 or 15,000 of the enemy had come in this morning. I immediately sent forward a reconnoitering force and ascertained that it was only an observation corps, which remained but a very few minutes. I arrived here with my command at 3.30 p. in., and shall immediately move for- ward toward Murfreesborough. My information here is that the enemy has a force stationed at the cross-roads, where the Jefferson road crosses the turnpike from this place to Murfreesborough. The point desig- nated is seven miles from Murfreesborough. I believe, from the infor- mation that I now have, that this force is stationed there for the purpose of protecting them in the movement of their trains from Murfrees- borough. I learn from a reliable source that the enemy is diligently engaged in running his heavy siege guns and artillery across the river from Nashville. Owing to the broken condition of the road between Nashville and Franklin, Ky., transportation between those points is very difficult and almost impossible. Therefore I am of an opinion that an energetic movement forward by our force would certainly result in overtaking the Federals before they could escape from Tennessee. N. B. FORREST, [16.] Brigadier-General, Commanding Brigade Page 339 ChAr. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENVE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 339 CHATTANOOGA, TENN., August 8, 1862. His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS: SiR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 29th ultimo. The necessity of recruiting and filling up the three Tennessee regiments now in Virginia was the only reason why I desired their return. This would be more speedily done here than by the policy which you suggest, but I hope the latter may be successful. I shall certainly give all the aid in my power to make it so. The ranks of most of the Tennessee regiments now in the service are thinned by disease and the casualties of the field, and as we advance into Middle Tennessee I confidently expect a large number of volunteers, yet not a sufficient number to fill all of our now skeleton regiments, and appre- hend that it will be found necessary whemi we shall have regained pos- session of that part of the State to order the conscripts of the State into service, in order that those regiments may all be promptly filled. TIme Government shall have all the facilities in my power to give to enforce this order when it shall be made. While we are thus recruiting old regiments I doubt the policy of attempting to raise a new regiment to complete the Tennessee brigade in Virginia. If a fourth regiment shall be necessary, it is better to order some one of the old regiments to that brigade. I am gratified at the assurance which you gave me that General- Whitthorne should be appointed to command this brigade. His appointment is sought and desired by the brigade, and I am confi- dent he will make an efficient officer who will acquit himself with credit. Very respectfully, ISHAM G. HARRIS~ [First indorsernent.] Secretary of War for attention and reply. The expectation was that the new brigadier and the officers sent would be effective to obtain recruits. The conscripts of East Tennessee might be better employed here. .J. Ii. [Second indorsenient.] Inform Governor Harris that General Bragg has been authorized to enroll conscripts in Tennessee whenever it is deemed advisable to do so, and that the conscripts from East Tennessee will probably be more valuable here than in Tennessee. These regiments here might be filled up so soon as East Tennessee is cleared of the enemy. G. W. H. [16.] SPECIAL ORDERS, - ADJT. AND INSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 185. Richmond, August 9, 1862. * * * * * * * X. Major Leydens battalion of light artillery, Georgia Volunteers, will proceed without delay to Abingdon, Va., and will report to Maj. Gen. W. W. Loring, commanding Department of Southwestern Vir- ginia, for duty with Brig. Geim. H. Marshalls command. By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, Assistant Adjutant- General, [16. Page 340 340 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA, W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. ON COMITE RIVER, LA., August 10, 1862. General BRAXTON BRAGG: Mv DEAR GENERAL: I was much gratified to receive your note of the 8th instaut* by the hands of my friend Mr. Johnston, and to see that you are full of hope and resolution. I would make any sacrifice to join you, except leaving the remnant of my command. I will remain with it under all circumstances. My heart goes with you on your northward march. I feel that you will reach the Ohio River, if you dont do more. We must fight them next autumn in Kentucky, and make them begin at the line of the Ohio with their newly raised forces, or Kentucky and Tennessee will be lost to us. A strong movement will give ns large accessions in both these States. My division was over 8,000 strong at Tupelo, now I have not 2,000 for duty. I did the best at Baton Rouge, and with inferior forces whipped them soundly. Under the circumstances it was impossible to accomplish more than we did. I hope you will take Mr. Johnston with you to Kentucky. He is an excellent gentleman, ahie, and thoroughly informed in regard to the State. Pardon this hasty note, and believe me, yours, very truly, JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE. [16.] KNOXVILLE, TENN,, August 11, 1862. His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS, Richmond, TTa.: Can l3uckmier be sent to this department, to rank as major-general? E. KIRBY SMITH, [16.] Major- General. KNOXVILLE, TEI~N., Au gust 11, 1862. His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS, President, & c., Richmond, Th.: I am about to move into Kentucky. General Buckner should be with me. Please allow me to leave General McCown in command of this department. E. KIRBY SMITH, [16.] Major- General. JACKSON, August 11, 1862. President DAvlS: I got orders this morning from Bragg to take offensive toward north. I have no army after leaving sufficient garrison, & c., with exception of Breckinridge with about 5,000 effective men. May I haveexchanged prisoners, or some of them? I did hope to go to New Orleans first, but am always ready to go where most required. Give me the returned prisoners and arms for them and I will march for Louisville with Price and Bragg. Breckinridge will attack Baton Rouge again about Thurs- day with a little over 6,000 men, six batteries. Hope to establish batteries at Port Hudson. Can you order me more heavy guns? EARL VAN DORN, [17.] ______ iiJiajor- General. See Vol. XVI, Part II, ~. 995 Page 341 CILAP. Lxiv.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 341 ABVNGDON, VA., August 15, 1862. General S. B. BUCKNER: Mv DEAR Siu: I see from the newspapers you have arrived in Rich- moncl after your long confinement and I hasten to offer you my sincere congratulations upon your delivery. I sincerely hope your long cap. tivity will be in some small measure compensated by your immediate promotion, for iu my judgment the best interests of the country would be greatly advanced by your elevation to the highest rank in the Cou- federate Army. The action of the Government toward me on account of the transactions at Fort Donelson was to me a matter of the greatest surprise. In my heart I feel that I have suffered the greatest injustice, but I have uttered no complaint. I am at a loss to account for the course, but think it the result of misrepresentation and calumny of me whispered in the Presidents ear by mean and unworthy men. You know, better than any other man, that all which human exertion could do was done to defend that point to the last extremity, which you and I both believed, from the time we were in Russeliville, was untenable from its position and the disposition then made of the army by General John- ston. But I did not intend to write a review of Fort Donelson to you, who understand the whole subject better than I do, but simply to drop you a line of sincere congratulation at your restoration to the country and to the army. I do not think you have stood iu need of any defense during your absence, but I have allowed no occasion to pass without bearing ready and willing testimony to your high merits and valuable services. With a sincere hope for your advancement and success, I am, general, very truly, your friend, [7.] JOHN B. FLOYI). HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA, Salt Sulphur Springs, August 17, 1862. flon. GEORGE W. RANDOLPH, Secretary of War, Richmond: The Governor has called out the militia between the ages of thirty- five and forty-five in this department~ They are not yet enrolled and organized. Can they volunteer in the Confederate service, and do they receive bounty? They are inclined to volunteer, and the prompt pub- lication of their authority to do so will give me many recruits. Please reply by telegraph. NY. W. LORJNG, ]Iiiajor- General (Jommandinq. [Thdorsement.] Until mustered in the State service they can volunteer, and will receive bounty if they volunteer for three years or the war. G. W. RANDOLPH, 116.] ______ Secretary of War. RICHMOND, VA., August 18, 1862. General H. MARSHALL, Abingdon, Va.: Move when General Smith telegraphs to yon.* G. W. RANDOLPH, [16.] Secretary of War. * This in reply to Marshall, vol. xvi, Part II, p. 763; for reply to this, see ibid., p. 764 Page 342 342 sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. SPECIAL ORDERS, ADJT. AND INSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 194. ( Richmond, August 20, 18G2. * * * * * * * XXIV. Maj. Thomas M. Jack ,assistant adjutant-general, Provisional Army, will proceed without delay to Chattanooga, Tenn., and report for duty to General Bragg, commanding, & c. * * * * * * * XXVII. Lieut. Col. Eugene E. McLean, assistant quartermaster- general, will proceed without delay to Chattanooga, Tenn., and report to General Braxton Bragg, commaudiug, & c., as chief quartermaster of his command. By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, [16.] Assistant Adjutant-General. F~A.UGuST 20, 1862.For report of Chief of Ordnance, C. S. Army, relative to losses of stores incurred at Forts Henry and 1)onelson, and in the retreat from Columbus, New Madrid, Bowling Green, and Nash- ville, see Series IV.] Resolved, That, in the judoment of the council of the provisional government of Kentucky, the time is near at hand when the military forces of the Confederate States should enter the State of Kentucky; and that the Governor and council of the pro- visional government should, as soon as said State is occupied by said forces., proceed to organize and extend its jurisdiction and authority over the same, and to raise such military forces as may be most expedient and effectual in the pending war; and for the PU~PO5~5 aforesaid, R. Hawes, Governor, be requested to visit Richmond and lay before the President the views of the council in the premises, and make such financial arrangements with the Confederate authorities as may 1)0 most judicious to secure the benefit of any appropriations made by the Congress to aid the people and State of Kentncky. JAMES P. BATES, President of the Council. K. McKEE, Cleric pro tempore of the Council. The above is a correct copy of a resolution passed by the council of the provisional government of Kentucky on the 27th day of August, 1862. it. MCKEE, [16.] Clerk pro tempore of the Council. AB1N~DON, VA., A ugiu-t 28, 1862. Gemmeral BRAXTON BRAGG, Commanding, & c.: GENERAL: As a military man you will clearly understand the embar- rassment under which I move to Kentucky. My column from its very weakness invites attack and from the nature of the country is so far m-emoved from the others as to have to act independently. I have tried in vain to procure re-enforcements. I thought the column should be 10,000 strong; in fact, I knew it ought not to be less, for it will be on a flank of the great army entering the State, and, therefore, a chosen saliency to be assailed. Failing to obtaiu re-enforcements I have been thus far engaged in a struggle to get my best regiment away from Major General Loring, and only yesterday succeeded in the effort. I shall not have more than 3,000 infantry, and by all means it should b Page 343 ~HAr. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 343 8,000. I then made requisition for 5,000 stand of small-arms, for some of my men are absolutely without guns. This has been cut down to 2,000 stand, andwh en they will arrive heaven only knows. Have you any that you can spare ~ Can you let me have any ~i I am already written to and applied to by my force in Kentucky for arms and have none to send. Please telegraph me, and if yon have any, spare me what you can. I should have written to you yesterday but thought Colonel Walter would let you know briefly my situation. The enemy keeps his eye on me and my movements, and has dispatched a column from Cincinnati already of 3,500 men to dispute my passage to Morgan County. He had 600 before upon the Sandy. One thousand of my men (all raw recruits) will not come forward for a month I think, but I shall move with some 3,000 infantry and two batteries and about 400 horse. Should friends come and I have iio arms to l)lace in their hands it will be a terri- ble disaster, but I have now done all I can to prevent it. I have not the arms, and it seems I cannot obtain them unless you can spare them, and I wish you could send me some regiments along with them. I shall leave here in two or three days. My cavalry moved forward to the mountains to-day. I shall get over in ten days, amid in eighteen Ihope to be at West Liberty. I am, very truly, & c., H. MARSHALL, [16.1 Brigadier- General. SPECIAL ORDERS, ADJT. AND INSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 203. Richmond, August 30, 1862. * * * * * * * XI. The six companies of rangers at Augusta, Ga., under Maj. J. It. Griffin, the four companies of cavalry at Macon, Ga., under Maj. C. T. Goode, and the several companies of cavalry at Savannah, Ga., which can be spared by Brigadier-General Mercer, will proceed at once to Chattanooga, Tenn., and report to General B. Bragg, commanding, & c., for duty with Maj. Gen. Samuel Jones. * * * *. * 4 * By command of the Secretary of War: ED. A. PALFREY, [16.1 Assistant Adjutant- General. JACKSON, August 30, 1862. His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS, President, & c., Richmond, 17a.: Col. Wirt Adams cavalry much needed in Northwest Mississippi. He is anxious to go. If possible let it be ordered. JOHN J. PETTUS. [Indorsements.] Secretary of War for report. J. D. ADJUTANT-GENERAL: Inform me where Col. Wirt Adams cavalry are, and what they are doing. GEO. W. RANDOLPH, Secretary of War Page 344 344 Sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERALS OFFICE, September 3, 1862. Col. Wirt Adams regiment is at Tupelo, Miss., under M~jor.Geuera1 Price. Respectfully submitted to the Secretary of War. JASPER S. WHITING, Major and Assistant A~jutant.General. Respectfully submitted to the President. GEO. W. RANDOLPH, [17.1 Secretary of War. MOBILE, ALA., September 2, 1862. Hon. CHARLES J. YILLER~, Member of Congress: Am tired of forming armies for others to fight with, hence I prefer Charleston. Doctors Brodie and Choppin wrote to-day. [15.] G. T. BEAUREGARD. MONTGOMERY, ALA., September 3, 1862. Maj. Gen. SAMUEL JONES, Chattanooga: The enemy are ravaging country on railroad south of Tennessee River in Alabama. Have dispatched Secretary of War, who says: Send Col. Jolin T. Morgans regiment immediately to relief of country, wasted by the enemy. If more force is required telegraph General $ainuel Jones at Chattanooga. G. W. RANDOLPH, Secretary of War. Please send regiment of cavalry, or what force you can spare, with ammunition and supplies. Have just received telegram from Colonel Morgan, who says he is ready to go immediately, but requires for sup. plies $10,000 for commissary and $15,000 for quartermaster, 100 rifles, 200 double-barrels, 8,000 rounds buck and ball (caliber .69), 3,000 rounds to fit the rifles, 50 pounds of rifle powder and 200 pounds of lead, and mf possible teii days of hard bread and salt. He marches with 825 men. I can seid him 100 double-barrels, 50 pounds of rifle powder, and the lead. He wants all sent to Rome. Can you supply him i~ JNO. GILL SHORTER, [16.] Governor (~/ Alabama. OXFORD, September 3, 1862. (Via Sehna.) R. N. PATTON and R. W. WALKER: (Care Governor Shorter.) I march to-morrow under orders of General Smith to Knoxville with 750 men. Have one company in Knoxville and one en route through Montgomery. Will need more arms if I go to North Alabama. Would be happy to aid our friends in Tennessee Valley. Am ready to do so if ordered. In that event will need at once $25,000 to purchase supplies, 100 rifles, and 200 double-barrels, 8,000 rounds buck and ball (caliber .69), 3,000 rounds to fit the rifles, 50 pounds rifle powder, and 200 pounds of lead, to be sent here or to Rome, and authority to purchase three For reply, see Vol. xvi, Part II, p. 795 Page 345 Ca& r. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 345 wagons and teams. I will march slowly toward Rome until I hear from Secretary of War. Cannot diverge unless quartermaster sends me $15,000, and if possible ten days of hard bread and salt, iii addition to what I have. [16.] JNO. T. MORGAN. MONTGOMERY, ALA., September 3, 1862. (Via Selma.) Col. JOHN T. MORGAN, Oxford: Have just received following dispatch from Secretary of War: Send Morgans regiment immediately to relief of country wasted by the enemy. Have also seen your dispatch to Walker and Patton. Have dispatched Maj. Gen. Samuel Jones, Chattanooga, to know if he can furnish the requisitions you mention. We can send you some ammunition and shotguns. Wait further advices. JNO. GILL SHORTER, [16.] Governor of Alabama. MONTGOMERY, ALA., September 4, 1862. Maj. Gen; SAMUEL JONES, Chattanooga: Your dispatch received.* Your views right as to the region the enemy is ravaging. Will send the money ($25,000) for commissary and quartermasters service, and authority to buy wagons and teams. Please send the ammunition and commissary stores to Rome, Ga.; also 5,000 boxes JNO. GILL SHORTER, Governor of Alabama. MONTGOMERY, ALA., September 6, 1862. Col. JOHN T. MORGAN, Rome, Ga.: Your dispatch received. Governor Moore left yesterday via Selma with $25,000 and 200 shotguns. Have no rifles. General Jones, at Chattanooga, will supply other requisitions. [16.] JNO. GILL SHORTER. ABINGDON, September 7, 1862. PRESIDENT OF TILE CONFEDERATE STATES: I have seen Kirby Smith and arranged a combination which I have returned to execute immediately. Morgan has marched again, as part of the plan. The moment is auspicious and signs said to be propitious. Let me explain to you by letter to.uight before your order becomes fixed. H. MARSHALL, Brigadier- General. [Indorsement.] I suppose this to be in answer to my dispatch. General Loring cannot count on this force. [16.] J. I). See Vol. XVI, Part II, p. 795 Page 346 346 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. CASTLEWOOD, RUSSELL COUNTY, VA., September 7, 1862. Hon. GEORGE W. RANDOLPH: DEAR Siu: I have pushed forward my little column as rapidly as practicable since you gave me the permission to move. The Fifty-fonrth Virginia Volunteers yesterday passed this point. I shall leave here this morniiig for the front, and before I do I have supposed it might be proper to advise you of my strength, as well as of some facts that have materially impaired my actual strength. This is an accnrate statement of my actual strength, or sufficiently near for all practical purposes. Infantry: Fifty-fourth Virginia, Trigg, colonel, rank and file 750 Twenty-ninth Virginia, Moore, colonel 300 Twenty-first Viigini a I3attalion, Slemp, lieutenant-colonel 230 Forty-third Tennessee, Gillespie, colonel 700 Fifth Kentucky, May, colonel 750 2, 750 Within the past four or five days several hundred of the Virginians have run off. It is hoped by Colonel Moore they will overtake the col- urnii in a week or two, but I make no calculations npon them. The Twenty-ninth Virginia was, one week ago, more thait 700 strong for duty and present in camp; two days ago it marched, as stated above, the iz~olonel absent for a week on important private business, the lieutenant-colonel absent, the major -resigned. I moved it forward under the senior captain. The major plainly confessed his want of quahificatioiis to command, and I agreed with him and thought it was manly iii him to speak out and offer his resignation, which I sent for- ward. Should Colonel Moores idea prove correct and should a part of time regiment return, my infantry force may be calculated at 8,000 to start upon. The Forty-third Tennessee was lent to me by General Kirby Smith only for this expedition, and does not properly belong to my command. I have of artillery, Jeifress battery, 6 pieces; David- - sGns battery, 4 pieces; Leydens battalion, 12 pieces; mountain howit- zers (Trigg), 2. Leydens battalion is to be armed in two companies with the rifles, and is a fimme body of about 500 men; Jeftress has 125 men, Davidson 100; total, 725. The disproportion of artillery to infan- try will disappear as tlm~ recruiting goes on in Kentucky. I am not regretful that it exists at present, because the excess of aitillery will even at present be made useful in holding a central position with a small infantry force, while tlmat which can move in the field will be about right. As 1 forum brigades of infantry I shall attach the field batteries to them. The moummted force is Kentucky rifle battalion Virginia rifle battalion Shawbans cavalry Caldwelis company. . . . . 350 300 200 30 880 3, 000 725 650 250 Add Triggs Partiaan Ranger Corps - ~, 625 400 ~, 025 Infantry, 2,750, say Artillery - - - Mounted rifles Cavalry, 230, say Page 347 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 347 I had expected my force would reach 6,000 men of all arms, but you see it will fall to an actual strength of 5.000. General Loring has retained the Eighth Yirginia Cavalry and makes me most deficient in cavalry. Not content with this, he ordered a mustering officer to come to Tazewell, and took in a new command, creating for Colonel Davis all of the new battalion which I applied to you for Iriberty to mnster, and all of which had been raised under my permission, and the larger part of it before he caine to the department. I cannot remedy these evils without your assistance, and I go, therefore, accoutered as I am, trust- ing to your disposition to do me justice, and tha~t should you determiuc to have things as they are you will compensate me by directing other and equivalent force to my command. It is the last thing I could desire to have any difficulty or misunderstanding with a brother officer, but I do tIm ink I have been hardly treated in this department. I expect Gen- cral Loring was deceived by Captain Caidwell, whose anxiety to rise in rank has made him attempt to transfer a command without my consent, as it induced him to separate his company into several parts to act as nuclenses for new companies. I arrested him and willtry and bringhis company into line properly before I am done with it. I want you to say whether in rear of my line in Kentucky I shall at once put time conscript law into execution. I think it may be as well to do so. I have instructed my officers as follows: Men must now choose their side. If they are on our side They must obey the law of Congress and join the army at once. If on the other side they must not be left in my rear, and must go forth and stand the draft the Unio~m men are enforcing in Kentucky. When men are not within the military ages I require them to come forward and take the oath of allegiance, and if they do not come they should be considered and treated as emmemnies. My policy is to make an armed occupation of the State as far as we penetrate it and to organize our system, leaving only friends behind mis. The mild policy I pursued last winter will not win, I am convinced; and while I would not distrust men who are really non-combatants, something must be done to arrest the feeling that our l)eople are time only ones who are to suffer from the vicissitudes of war. When the tide is agaimist us, the other party persecute our people. When the tide is with us, these very persecutors have no fear we will do them harm, and, therefore, they preserve a status which does not assist in any event and does not resist the Federals at any time. This state of affairs I shall endeavor to correct. It has occurred to me as wise to organize companies of partisan rangers to be kept in my rear and to emiforce there my policy, to send up young men to the army, amid to prevent combinations amnomig my enemies. They will serve to guard trains and to keep opeim the hues of communication between armies and posts. If the enemy masses in front, these companies can be summoned forward to a fight and will come, while they will not 1)0 required to leave home for so long a time as to give them a great reluctance to the service. I act on the hypothesis that young men once embarked in military life gradually learn to prefer camp life and regular service. I wish you would indicate to me your approbation of thuis plan at an early day if the President approves my policy and give me authority to appoint partisan rangers, in advance of appli- catiomm to you, but only to be fixed after nomination to you and return of muster-rolls. I trust you will, since General Smiths splendid vic- tory at Richmond, Ky., divert the small army you meant to send to him so as to let me have 5,000 at omice. Eastern Kentucky has n Page 348 348 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. such relation to my own section of the State as to rely naturally on Lexington. My plan, submitted to General Bragg, is that I shall cut the Ohio at Maysville, Bragg at Louisville, while Smith holds Lexing- ton, thus insulating Cincinnati, while Price cuts her off from Cairo by crossing at Evansville and seizing the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad in Illinois; thence bearing directly on Alton and Saint Louis. Our line must thus embrace in our grasp the capital of Keiitucky (in which we should install the provisional Governor and government until the people can hold a convention) and all the lines of railroad in the State. To do my part, I mast have arms, and I submit that I should have rank equal to my command. Please dont overlook my application for young Edward 0. Guerrant. He is with me. Yours, truly, & c, II. MARSHALL. [Indorsement.] OCTOBER 7, 18f2. Respectfully submitted to the President for his information. This paper escaped attention until to-day, having slipped into a bundle not examined. We have not the arms to spare and the general order exempting Kentucky from conscription leaves General Bragg free to organize his forces as he thinks best. G. W. RANDOLPH, [16.] Secretary of War. HEADQUARTERS FIRST CAVALRY BRIGADE, Blacks Shop, Seve~t Miles from Murfreesborough, September 8, 1862. Maj. G. G. GARNIjR, Assistant Adjutant-General: MAJOR: I arrived at this place at 9.30 a. m. The Federal pickets left here this morning. ilazen with three regiments and a lengthy train left here yesterday at 3 p. m. They were on their way to Nash- ville. McCooks division is now moving from Murfreesborough to Nashville, and will pass this place in an hour or two. General Crit- tenden, with 16,000, encamped from Tuesday until yesterday morn- ing, 2 a. in., at this place, and then hastily decamped for Nashville. McCooks division is said to be the rear of their forces. There is a large amount of flour, from 1,500 to 2,000 barrels, at Liberty, Alexandria, and Lebanon. If you pass that way you can get it, or you can send down your wagons. It is good tlonr at $10 per barrel. Please iiiform me where I shall next communicate with you. Respectfully, N. B. FORREST, Brigadier- General, First Cavalry Brigade. P. S.Kirby Smith won a glorious victory near Richmond, Ky. The abolition forces have fallen back to Covington. General Smith occu- pied Lexington without resistance, and his forces are reported within thirty-nine miles of Covington. The abolition papers of Cincinnati admit a loss of one-third their force in the Richmond (Ky.) fight. General Nelson was wounded, supposed mortally. [16.] N.B.F Page 349 Ca& r. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 349 GENERAL ORDERS,) HEADQUARTERS RIGHT WING, ARMY OF THE .Mississi~PI, No. 6. ) Tomplcinsville, September 10, 1862. The commanding generals of the divisions of this wing of the army are ordered to guard the approaches to their encampments by sufficient pickets thrown out to such distances as to secure their commands against surprise. The commanding general of this division which may be in front will guar! all approaches on his front and flanks by strong pickets. By command of Major-General Polk: GEO. WILLIAMSON, [16.] Assistant Adjutant- General. SPECIAL ORDERS, ADJT. AND INSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 213. Richmond, September 11, 1862. * * * * * * * X. Maj. R. II. Anderson, assistant adjutant-general, Provisional Army, will proceed to Vicksburg, Miss., and report to Major-General Van Dorn, commanding, & c., for duty on the staff of Maj. Gen. Mans- field Lovell. * * * * * * * By command of the Secrctary of War: JNO. WITHERS, [15.] Assistant Adjutant- General. HEADQUARTERS FIRST CAVALRY BRIGADE, Eighteen Miles South of Franklin, Ky.; Near Franklin and Nashville Pike, September 11, 18621 p. m. Maj. G. G. GARNER, Assistant Adjutant. General: GENERAL: My pickets attacked the enemys pickets this morning. We lost 1 man and killed 3 of the enemy. We left them shelling the woods, and they still continue to do so. That engagement took place near Tyree Springs. I have halted their whole command, and they still remain where we left them. I shall continue to annoy them on as far as Franklin. Will then move to the place you designated, and expect to arrive there on the day after to-morrow. We are moving along in good condition in advance of the enemy. Yours, respectfully, N. B. FORREST, [l6.j Brigadier- General. BEAVER CREEK, FLOYD COUNTY, KY., September 12, 1862. Maj. 0-en. E. KIRBY SMITH: GENERAL: In reply to yours of the 7th* I have to say that my pow- er~ to raise troops of all arms for the service are direct and ample, and from the beginning of the war were intended by the President to authorize me to raise a separate army to be commanded by myself. I See Vol. XVI, Part 11, i~. 801 Page 350 350 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FI~A., & N. GA. [CHiP. LXIV. shall co-operate with you very cordially in all movements which in my judgment tend to the promotion of the good of our cause, and I trust that on your part no step will be taken to prevent my increasing this command to the capacity I think I can give it. It is now deficient in cavalry, and if you think you have more than you want I will be pleased to have you turn over to me the applicaiits nuder your proclamations, and I will swell my own command under my powers, which are inde- pendent of those given you. Yours, truly, & c., H. MARSHALL, [16.] Brigadier- General, Commanding. JACKSON, September 13, 1362. Hon. J. P. JOHNSON: I have no orders for Chattanooga. Am ordered by General Van Dorn to Holly Springs. Last of my troops leave here to-day. I groan an(l obey. JOHN C. I3RECKINRIDGE. [17.] - HEADQUARTERS PROVISIONAL FORCES, DEPARTMENT OF EAST AND WEST FLORIDA, Tallahassee, September 14, 1862. GEORGE W. RANDOLPH, Secretary of War, Richmond, Va.: SIR: I have the honor to report on the letter of His Excellency Gov- ernor Milton, referred to me. The letter embraces a variety of subjects, and I will confine myself principally to those connected with the mili- tary service. I may be permitted, however, to state that I am not advised that there is any dissatisfaction on the part of the people of Florida, either with the Government or with the means of defense which have been provided for them, and I am eiitirely satisfied that there is and has been as little disloyalty on the part of her citizens as of those of any other State of the Confederacy. I do not know of one avowed traitor, and I believe there are but few secret ones, even where they have been subjected for long periods of time to the control of and to contact with the enemy. It is true, as stated in the Governors letter, that there is no organized regiment in the State, but it is also true that during the summer the department has not imperatively needed one. Some time since, in my letter to the Adj utant-General of the 30th of May, I asked permission to raise two companies to be added to the eight independent companies of cavalry, and one company to be thrown together with the First Special Battalion and the three independent companies of infantry, and organized into a regiment of cavalry and one of infantry, respectively, making the Second Cavalry and Ninth Infantry. I received the authority, and the two companies of cavalry were immediately raised. Their muster-rolls have already been sent on, and the regiment may now be organized by the appointment of their field officers. Before the company of infantry required to complete the proposed regiment was raised, the order of the Adjutant-General for- bidding the entry of conscripts into new corps was received, and I doubted whether, without more explicit instructions, I would contra- vene the policy of the Government by organizing imew companies com- posed of men liable to conscription. I still think the interests of th Page 351 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 351 service in this department imperatively require the raising of an addi- tional company and the formation of the Ninth Infantry Regiment, and I respectfully request authority to do so. Captain Martins company was ordered by the Adjutant-General, in telegram dated June 14, to I)roceed to Dalton, Ga., in supporting dis- tance of Chattanooga. This company has been longer in the Confed- erate service titan Capt. Dunhams, having entered the service iii November, 1861, and Captain Dunhams on the 10th of March, 1862. Besides, I had no authority to alter the order of the Adjntant.General. The company wa~ sent into the field fully equipped, and for this purpose some of the horses in the control of the quartermaster, and never receipted for by Captain l)unham, were turned over to Captain Martin, and their 1)laces supplied imm a few days, and Captain Dunhams battery put iii complete order for service in the field. Neither Governor Milton nor any other person was informed of the necessity that existed fur sending Captain Dunhams battery into East Florida. As soon as the water Ml in the Apalachicola River so low as to prevent the prob- ability of the enemy ascending that river in boats, I determined to move the battery in the Saint JoIms, where the enemy were in full pos- session, and use it to cover the erection of a battery on the Saint Johns Bluff; five miles from the bar, to prevent the enemy ascending the river higher than that point. This has been accomplishedthe battery put npthe enemy repulsed after four hours hard fighting. We are now in possession of the Saint Johns River from that point up, and Captain Dunham and his battery, as will be seen by my reports, performed an important part jim the engagement. The Eighth Regiment was ordered by the Secretary of War to proceed immediately to Mehmnond, and I accordingly sent it out of the State with all possible expedition, not, however, without paying tIme men all that the Government owed them, both bounty, pay, aiid allowances, and ordering a trustworthy man from each company to be sent to their several neighborhoods to carry to their friends and relatives such portion of their money as they thought proper to send; all of which has been done with every other regiment which I have sent out of the department. There may have been some dissatisfaction in the regiment caused by misrepresentations of the captains, or some of them, while raising, their companies, and by candidates before and after the election for field officers. These influ- ences I carefully endeavored to prevent and to repair, and I believe the regiment finally left with but little regret on the part of the men or their friends. The Fifth Regiment was also sent, in accordance with telegram fromn the War Department asking if I could spare a regiment of infantry. Knowing that during the summer and autumn they could well be spared, i so stated, and they were accordingly ordered to pro- ceed to Richmnond and report to the Adjutant-General. When I assumed command Colonel Davis was under orders from General Lee to move with his command to Chattanooga. This order emanating from superior authority, I did not consider that I had a right to arrest his progress. I telegraphed the Adjutant and Inspector Gen- eral, informing him that I thought Colonel Davis horses were unfit for service in the West. He replied that I could retain the regiment in Florida, reorganize them, and send an infantry regiment in their place. When this dispatch was received it was shown to Colonel Davis. He informed me that seven companies of his regiment were moving from Madison as infantry, and themi almost beyond the department, amA three from Tallahassee as cavalry. I had no regiment of infantry which could be immediately moved, and so telegraphed the Adjntant.General Page 352 352 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP.LXIV. and Colonel Davis wa~ allowed to proceed, not, however, withon tbeirg advised of the order of the Adjutant-General for his reorganization, and his assurance that the order would be carried into effect as soon as he could communicate with General Lawton, and while the regiment was still within his department. Why it was not done I am unable to state. I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant, JOSEPH FINEGAK, [l5j Brigadier. General, Commanding. ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERALS OFFICE, Montgomery, Ala., & ptember 15, 1862. General BRAXTON BRAGG: GENERAL: More than six weeks since I wrote to the War Depart- ment, requesting specific information as to what preparations were making by the Confederate authorities for the supply of our troops with shoes, blankets, and woolen clothing for the fall and winter. The answer I received was to the effect that while measures had been taken which it was hoped would obtain the necessary supply of these articles, yet, as they were to be procured from Europe, the getting them into our ports was, under surrounding circumstances, very uncertain, and that it was most desirable to secure the co-operation of the State to the extent of its abilities in making provision for these articles. The letter referred to was written before the call of Lincoln for the additional force of 300,000, and if before, therefore the necessity was created for a large increase of our forces. If Congress properly appreciates our true condition it must, and I trust will, provide at the earliest possible day for bringing every man into the field who can be of more service to the country as a soldier than in any civil capacity, and this accession to onr armies will necessarily involve corresponding increase of shoes, blankets, and woolen clothing. I dont think there is a single blanket loom in the Confederate States, and with the difficulties of obtaining leather, and the conscription of soharge a proportion of shoemakers, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to obtain shoes in sufficient quan- tities for our troops. I have used my utmost exertions for the last three months, and if I get a thousand pair I shall be agreeably sur- prised. It is the same thing with wool. I have made a large contract, but it has to come from Texas, and the chance of getting it in are not as certain as I could wish. With all the Confederate authorities can do the supplies of these articles will be short, and I am not disposed, so far as the troops from this State are concerned, to leave other mat- ters to chance. I am informed that at Nashville, and, I suppose, at every other point of any commercial importance in Tennessee which has been occupied by the enemy, as well as in every town in Kentucky, supplies, either large or small, of shoes, blankets, woolen cloth, thread, and buttons can be obtained. My object is to secure as much of them as the State can pay for, to be used solely for the furnishing her troops. To accomplish this I have appointed IVIIaj. Joseph II. Bradford to act as State agent or quartermaster, and should our forces occupy Nashville or any other point at which these supplies are to be had and from which transportation can be effected, for him to go to work at once. Salt also is an article of the highest necessity. I am doing everything I can in that direction, but with all I can do I shall fal Page 353 CHAP. LXJY.) CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 353 far short of meeting the actual necessary demand. The indigent himi- lies of our soldiers must be supplied, and it is my object, if possible, to extend the State purchases to this article. I fear I have been some- what prolix in coming to the point, so far as you are concerned. I cannot carry out my plan effoctually without your aid in affording to my agents the necessary facilities of ingress, & c., which may enable them, first, to make the purchases, and, secondly, to obtaiu transportation when made, to be exercised, of course, so as not to interfere with Confederate interests. By affording these facilities I think I can say with certainty that you will add to the efficiency of our army, and add still another obligation to the many I am already under to you. Very respectfully, & c., JNO. GILL SHORTER, Gorernor oJ Alabama. (Copy to Maj. Gen. Samuel Jones, Chattanooga.) [16.] ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERALS OFFICE Montgomery, Ala., September 15, 1862. Maj. Joseph H. Bradford, assistant quartermaster, Alabama, will immediately proceed to Tennessee, for the purpose of purchasing blankets, shoes, woolen cloth, hickory shirtiiig, buttons, thread, and buckles for the State of Alabama, to be furnished to its troops in the armies of the Confederacy and State service; also salt for the use of the indigent families of our volunteers. Major Bradford is invested with discretionary authority to extend his purchases into Kentucky, if he can do so with advantage to the State. By order of the Governor: GEG. GOLDTIIWAITE, Adjutai~t and Inspector General of Alabama. NEAR WALTON, September 1.9, 1862. [General JOHN H. MORGAN?:] GENERAL: I arrived at this point late this evening and found Col- onel Hutcheson slowly retreating before a Federal force of cavalry and infantry. I halted the column at Crittenden, seven miles from Walton. Lieutenant Roberts, commanding the advance guard, remained with a portion of his command at the toll-gate beyond Walton until lie had an opportnnity of seeing their force. He fired upon their adVance and caused them to form line of battle. He estimates their force at a regi- ment of infantry and about 800 cavalry. He saw no artillery. The cavalry were very timid, but the infantry seemed confident and well (Irilled. They camped on Mrs. Gaines farm, two miles beyond Walton. Lieutenant Roberts drove in their pickets as soon as they were stationed. The scouts sent to Hamiltons Landing to-day report no troops there, but that thirty-two transports crowded with troops passed there last night and this morning, going toward Louisville. A citizen reported that a train of Federal wagons passed Independence this evening, moving this way, and the citizens state that troops were to have been at Independence last night. These are rumors lacking confirmation. 23 R RYOL LII, PT I Page 354 ~54 SW. VA, KY., tENN., Miss., AlA., W. PLA., & N. GA. [C~AP.LXIV. I will watclt the force at Waltoii to-morrow closely, and if compelled to fall back, will do so slowly. I have a company at Falmouth, and can keep informed of all that transpires in that direction. I will immedi- ately dispatch you everything that occnrs. iRespectfnlly, B. W. DUKE, Colonel, Commanding. P. S.I neglected to state that the railroad bridge at De Mossville, the bridge four miles above, and the Falmouth bridge have been destroyed. A scout sent out yesterday under Captain Rogers met a force of the enemy at Union and drove them to Florence, killing 3, wounding 2, and capturing 8. [16.] JACKSON, Miss., September 20, 1862. JEFFERSON DAVIS, President: Salt mine near New Iberia, La., owner working with few hands. Will you not order General Richard Taylor to take possession and put 1,000 hands to work l I think owner will agree. Salt for all the Con- federacy is there. JOHN J. PETTUS. [17.] EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, ]vrontgon~ery, Ala., September 22, 1862. Hon. (IT. W. RANDOLPH, Secretary of War, Richmond: SIR: For several months past citizens of this State, with the appro- bation of the Goveriior of Florida, have been off the Florida coast from Saint Josephs Bay to Choctawhatchee Bay engaged in making salt for their own home consumption. Recently the enemy has made a descent upon them and driven them away, destroying their works and capturing some of their slaves. Twice have our people been inter- rupted, and now they have suffered so seriously that all further attempts at the manufacture of salt on that coast must be wholly abandoned unless the Confederate Government can insure protection by providing a competent force in that locality. The danger of a salt famine is now almost certain, and there is scarcely any misfortune which can befall us which will produce such widespread complaint and dissatisfaction. If the destitution could be limited to the people at home, who can shift for themselves, it would not be so bad, but the families of our soldiers far away, many of them helpless and poor, appeal to us in language which cannot fail to excite our profoundest sympathies. Is there noth- ing in your power to do to protect salt-makers on the coast mentioned l I suppose 300 mounted meu could do it, and at the same time intercept deserters and slaves seeking communication with the enemy. Respectfully, yours, [15.] JNO. GILL SHORTER, Governor of Alabama Page 355 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 355 SPECIAL ORDERS, ADJT. AND lisp. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 222. * Richmond, & ptember 23, 1862. * * * * * * XVII. The arrest of Maj. Qen. George B. Crittenden is hereby sus- pended. He will report to General Bragg for duty until a court-martial can be convened. XVIII. The Eleventh and Twenty-first Hegiments Louisiana Vol- unteers will be reorganized, and the companies composing the same will be reassembled. * * * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, [16 and 17.] Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERALS OFFICE, Jackson, Miss., & pte~nber 23, 1862. His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS, Richmond, Va.: SIR: The inclosed letter will fully explain to you the salt mine of which I dispatched you. There is need for vigorous action by the Gov- ernment to develop the resources of this mine. If promptly done, salt can be procured from there sufficient for Mississippi and Louisiana. If left alone to the slow action of the owner, I know of no probability of getting salt from there or elsewhere. Salt can now be brought from there by steam-boat. I invoke your early exercise of all the power you have in the premises. I am, Your Excellencys most obedient servant, JOHN J. PETTUS. By JONES S. HAMILTON, Adjutant and inspector General. [Juelosure.] YAZOG COUNTY, September 16, 1862. Governor JOHN J. PETTUS: SIR: I have in the last twenty-four hours returned from my search for salt in Louisiana. I have most industriously gathered information as to the salt-works in the region of country between Monroe and Shreveport, but chiefly iii Bienville Parish. At all these works the yield per day is scarcely one bushel per hand. And though this work is pushed to the utmost, I think they cannot more than supply the northern region of Louisiana. It is true many of our people are now there to obtain salt, and much has been brought across the river, but for all we obtain from that region there must be corresponding suffering by the citizens of Louisiana. I have still more thoroughly investigated the salt mines in Saint Marys Parish. These mines be- long to Judge D. D. Avery, and are ten miles southwest of New Iberia, on an island formed by the waters of Vermillion Bay. The mine is approached by a causeway and bridges from New Iberia. From this point salt is shipped down the Teche River to its junction with the Atchafalaya, and thence by the latter stream to the mouth of Red River. It will be made cheaper, however, to have salt shipped withi Page 356 356 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. a mile of the mine on the Verinillion Bay, where there is a good landing, and carried thence to the mouth of the Atchafalaya, and up it to Red River. This last is the best and equally safe, as the waters there are too shoal to permit the blockading vessels to interfere with them. If Mississippi is to rely to a great extent on this mine for salt, the pros- pect is gloomy. At the time of my visit there, only one shaft had been sunk. This was twenty by thirty feet and seventeen feet to the salt from the surface. The solid rock salt had been blasted to the depth of fourteen feet and it may be yet many fcet deeper. Another shaft was being sunk; but not one-third of the work was done when I left there. There were not more than sixty hands at work in and about the mines. The salt is now sold at the mines at 4~ cents per pound, or $9 per sack of 200 pounds. If we continue to hold the Mississippi River from Red River to Yicksbnrg, this salt will not cost over $15 per sack at Jackson, Miss. If we cannot hold river, it will be crossed with difficulty, and must. be hauled to the railroad, a distance of seventy miles, and I think cannot cost less than $20 per sack. It was the general information in South Louisiana that General Taylor would seize these mines for the Government. He had been assured by Avery that they would be worked to their utmost capacity and had not acted up to the time of my departure. I have reason to think that he will not act without further or positive instructions from his Government. Finding there was nXuch doubt as to the seizure by the Confederate States Govern- ment, and seeing the impossibility of getting our supply of salt, if Avery does not improve his speed of work, I proposed to him to let me know the best terms on which Mississippi should work her own salt. He replied that if you will om~ganize and work 200 hands he will charge only 3 cents per pound. I did my best to get more favorable terms, but found him immovable. If you work this mine you will see that it must be on ruinous terms. To wait on his slow motions is not safe for Mississippi. Therefore I see no hope but in the seizure by the Govern- ment. And I hope some active steps will be taken to have this end secured as soon as possible. I should have mentioned that prospecting in two directions 200 yards from the shaft now sunk reveals the exist- ence of the same salt bed, at no place exceeding thirty feet from the surface. I believe there are no other matters of importance on this subject. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, AUGUSTUS CHEW. [First indorseinent.] SECRETARY OF WAR: Have you any information as to the result of effort to make arrange- ments with proprietors l If not granted privilege on proper conditions the mine should be taken for public use. J. D. [Second indorsement.] COMMISSARY-GENERAL: Have you received any report from your agent sent across the Mississippi? G. W. R. [Third indorsement.] Communications have been received from Lieutenant-Colonel Broad- well, to whom the working of this mine has been confided, that arrange- ments are now in operation for the extensive production of salt. Th Page 357 CHAP. Lxiv.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 357 authority of the President had been previously obtained for the sending from the Adjutant-General instructions to General Taylor to use his military power if necessary to aid and protect the operations. L. B. NORTHROP, Commissary- General. [Fourth indorsement.] OCTOBER 16, 1862. Respectfully returned to the President. See Commissary-Generals indQrsement. G. W. RANDOLPH, [17.] Secretary of War. NAVY DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Richmond, September 24, 1862. Hon. G. W. RANDOLPH, Secretary of War: SIR: I have taken measures for constructing immediately two large iron-clad rams on the Yazoo River and desire also to build one on Red River. It is very important to the success of this enterprise that ade- quate military protection should be afforded; I have the honor to request that such protection may be provided, if practicable, and that you will inform me to what extent it may be relied upon. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, S. R. MALLORY, [17.] Secretary of the Navy. EXECUTIYE DEPARTMENT, Tallahassee, September 24, 1862. Hon. GEOROFJ W. RANDOLPH, - Secretary of War: SIR: I am raising volunteers over thirty-five years old and under eighteen for Confederate service in the State, and there are so few Confederate officers in the State and those who are here being con- stantly occupied in the discharge of duties appertaining to their respective positions, that I request one may be appointed if you have not one at Richmond to spare and ordered to report to me. For the appoint- ment 1 recommend Mr. James M. Stewart, alluded to in the inclosed letter from his commander, to either a captaincy or lientenancy in the Provisional Army. Mr. Stewart was lieutenant-colonel of a militia regi- ment and an officer much esteemed, but resigned the position and volunteered as a private soldier. In previous letters to His Excellency the President (dated October 29), and to the Secretary of War, I sub- mitted to their consideration the necessity of establishing a military department of portions of Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. Inclosed is an extract of my letters. The present condition of affairs in our State requires me to urge this subject again for serious consideration and prompt action. General Finegan has not more forces at his command than may be necessary for the defenses of East Florida, and if he had enough for the entire department as it now exists, it is so extensive and important positions so far separated, it would be impossible for him or any other general having command of this department to give the personal attention necessary. I hesitate not to express the opinion that if the enemy shall desire to do so, West Florida will be subjugate Page 358 358 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. by them, and they will cQmmand the river from Apalachicola to Columbus, Ga., during the next winter, unless the suggestion to estab- lish another department shall be favorably acted upon, or some other more feasible plan for defense shall be adopted. The river is now low and has been for several months. The probability is that in a few weeks the rains usual in the autumn and winter will make it navigable for gun-boats, when we may have cause to regret unimproved ol)por- tunities. Will you be Pleased to invite the attention of the President to the renewed proposition for another military department. If it shall be established I have no preference of an officer for the command. .All I desire would be an energetic and competent officer. I have the honor to be, respectfully, JOHN MILTON, Governor of Florida. P. S.General Finegan in command of either of the departments and an officer as efficient in the other would guarantee safety. [Inclosure No. 1.] TALLAHASSEE, FLA., September 22, 1862. His Excellency Governor JOHN MirloN: GoVEHNoR: I take great pleasure in recommending to you for the position of enrolling officer James M. Stewart, a private in Captain Ellis company, of my battalion. Mr. Stewart is of one of the first families in the State, is a young man of fine educatiou, strict morality and industry, and energetic in habit. Should it please you to favor Mr. Stewart ~vith such appointment, you will iiot only secure the serv- ices of a prompt and competent officer, but you will add another link to the many personal favors already extended to myself. I have the honer to be, your most obedient servant, CHAS. F. HOPKINS, Lieutenant- Colonel, Commanding Battalion. [IsieLo~ure No. 2.] The military department, now most respectfully proposed, may be composed of the following counties in the States above named viz: In GeorgiaDecatur, Thomas, Miller, Early, Baker, Clay, Calhoun, Ran- dolph, Quitman, Stew art, arid Muskogee; in AlabamaHenry, Dale, Barbour, and Russell; in FloridaLeon, Gadsden, Wa kulla, Jefferson, Madison, Liberty, Washington, Jackson, Calhoun, and Franklin. This proposition has been submitted to the Governors of Georgia and Ala- bama. The remaining counties in Middle, East, and South Florida will form a military department sufficient iu itself to command the utmost vigilance of an experienced and able officer. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, JOHN M1LTON. [15.] I3ARDSTOWN, Ky., September 24, 1862. To the FREEMEN OF KENTUCKY: One year ago I addressed you from Russeliville. The despotism of the North, though at that time only in its incipiency, had already invaded our State. The professional advocates of free speech had crushed th Page 359 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 359 freedom of the press. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus bad already been suspended by the dicta of the petty instruments of usulped power. The Constitution, which was the basis of our old Union, had been violated in all its essential provisions. Our citizens, for no other reasons than the advocacy of the principles of the Consti- tution, were torn from their homes and from our State to languish in Northern prisons and denied alike the knowledge of their accusers and the privileges of a fair trial. The judicial department of the Govern- ment was virtually suppressed. The Constitution, the only basis of Union, was overthrown, and all its powers usurped by the Executive and the degraded instruments whom he chose, to oppress a free and a gallant people. Even then the Washington Government was a revolu- tionary power, built upon the ruins of the Constitution and wielded by an unprincipled Executive for the suppression of the liberties of the people. As a citizen of a State so dear to il2s own sons, and so renowned throughout the world for its love of freedom, I felt it was not only my right, but my highest duty, to resist these encroachments upon our con- stitutional rights. It was in this spirit that I addressed you. The events of the past year have justified the decision of those who from the beginning opposed the tyranny which has since oppressed us. A Northeru army, flushed with a temporary success, has pursued its marauding career with a ferocity and a contempt for the claims of jus- tice and humanity which have astonished the civilized world. Your property has been stolen or destroyed; your slaves have been taken from you on the plea that you are disloyaldisloyal to the tyranny and the usurpation which seek to take from you even the right of peaceful remonstrance; your houses have been invaded by armed soldiers; you have been compelled to endure, at the point of the bayonet, unwarraut- able searches; our fair women have been compelled to render the most menial services to the hirelings of the North, who have assumed to be your masters; no firesides have been sacred from these ruthless intru- sions. The unoffending victims of this relentless despotism have been dragged to the jails and to other loathsome prisons to gratify private malice or to satiate the lust of tyrannical power. And when the prisons of our own State were filled with freemen and free women, the peniten~ tiaries and bastiles of the North still opened to receive others, until the numbers are now so astounding that even the names of the victims are not permitted to be known. The once-boasted land of freedom, under abolition domination, is one vast prison-house. The starry banner, once so famed in Southern song, has been converted, in the hands of Sumner, and Garrett Davis, and Seward, and Lincoln, and Hunter, and Pope, and Turchin, and Boyle, and Butler, into the emblem of all that is oppressive to man and cruel and disrespectful to woman. Yet to this emblem, degraded by being so upheld, we are required submis- sively to bow, as to a talisman which will sanctify the most atrocious of crimes. Freemen of Kentucky! It needs not that you look abroad upon the burning cities and villages and the devastated fields of Tennessee and the Mississippi Valley and of our mother State, Virginia, to convince yourselves of the true character of our oppressors. Our own State shows sufficient evidences of their tyranny. Nor need you listen to the piercing cries of the women of Northern Alabama. Our oppressors would teach us that the nameless brutalities of Mitchel and [urchin were sanctified by the folds of the immaculate banner under which these deeds were perpetrated; for we learn that their muaster has rewarde Page 360 360 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. these outlaws for their crimes. Nor need you look to Butler and New Orleans to see the depths of degradation to which man may descend when he becomes the instrument of abolition tyranny. From the jails and prisons of our own State the fair daughters of Kentucky call upon ns to release them from a despotism almost without a parallel in his- tory. Well may the organ of Mr. Seward exclaim that it is time the North had learned that they were warring not only against a united South but against the sentiments of the civilized world. The name of the Austrian butcher, whose cruelty was wreaked upon only one woman, conveys an idea of moderation compared with those of these Northern despots. Let us not insult the memory of the Austrian by mentioning his name in the same sentence with those of Mitchel and Butler and Boyle and Turchin. Kentuckians! View the position in which the leaders of the so-called Union party would place our State. In a thousand ways they solemnly declare that any attempt to coerce the South should be met by the armed opposition of Kentucky. With these declarations upon their lips they gained your suifrages. But no sooner had they beeii placed in power than, in violation of their repeated pledges, they joined in the abolition crusade against the South. Under the guise of a faithless neutrality, they devised a scheme of treachery to the People of this State which is calculated to deprive us of all civil equality and to make us virtually the political serfs of the North. Through all the mazes which duplicity can lend to a tortuous course they have sought to lead you from the support of the neutrality policy which they imposed upon the State into making yourselves the instruments of enforcing against the South and against yourselves the policy of indis- criminate plunder and robbery now urged by the abolition Government of the North. Freemen of Kentucky! Whatever doubts may have heretofore existed as to the designs of the Northern Government they have been dispelled by the last proclamation of the President. In violation of every prin- ciple of the Constitution, in violation of his own constructions of that instrument, in violation of his own most solemn pledges, President Lincoln, assuming to be the master of all his subjects, and that you are his abject slaves, has now fulminated a general proclamation of free- dom to the slaves and of robbery of other property of the South. it is the fixed policy of the North. If the will of this abolition autocrat can be fulfilled, he will make his people a nation of bandits, and will light the incendiary torch around every Kentucky fireside. There are millions of Northern hearts which revolt at the thought of such a policy. Can Kentuckians be found who will any longer submit to make themselves the instruments in the hands of New England to war upon our own interests and upon the interests of our brothers of the South ~ Will you light the servile torch which is to involve our own homes in the general conflagration, and draw upon ourselves the contempt and derision of the abolition despots, who view us only as the tame instru- - ments to carry out their will l Will you consent that the proud women of Kentucky shall become the menials of the North, or will you shake off the fetters with which you are bound and show that you are worthy to be freemen l Men of Kentucky! Two Southern armies, under the able leadership of the gallant Bragg and Kirby Smith, are now in your midst. They come to relieve you of the tyranny with which the North have so long oppressed you. No peaceable citizen, whatever his political views Page 361 361 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. CONFEDERATE. will be molested. We make war only against armed men; not, as our enemies do, against peaceable citizens and defenseless women and children. We ask those who, from sentiments of duty, are with us to join the standard of freedom. If you are worthy of liberty you will win it. We have arms for all who will join ns. Unite your efforts with those of the South, and, under the protection of Providence, our beloved State will not long be desecrated by the footsteps of the aboli- tion oppressors. Let us not be the slaves and the instruments of the North to oppress our own people; bnt, actuated by the spirit of free- dom which won our independence, let us prove that the sons of our State are worthy of their parentage, and entitled to claim the right of protecting the daughters of Kentucky from the insults with which they have so long been visited. Whether from the gloomy prisons which despotic authority has reared to crush the spirit of. liberty or from the ranks of this army of Southern freemei~, let every Kentuckian utter a shout of defiance agaiuist the Northern tyranny, and proclaim that, under the guidance of Heaven, Kentucky shall prove worthy of her ancient fame, and shall win for her sons and her fair daughters the rich heritage of freedom which they so fully deserve. S. B. BUCKNER, [16.] Major- General, Provisional Army, C. S. HDQRS. 4TH BRIG., RES. Div., RiGHT WiNG, ARMY OF THE Mississippi, Camp on Gox Creek, Ky., September 24. 1862. Maj. D. E. HUGER, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Reserve Division, Necr Bardstown, Ky.: MAJOR: There is nothing of importance to communicate from these headquarters. The two bridges on the l)ike burned by the enemy will not impede our march in the slightest degree as the banks of the streams admit of a good crossing. A man living ou the pike twelve miles this side of Louisville reports that the enemy have about 50,000 in and around Louisville, mostly raw militia. They have no fortifica- tions or intrenchments around the city. Many of the inhabitants are leaving for the Indiana side. He left Louisville on Monday evening last. General Forrest informs inc that his cavalry are up as far as Mount Washington. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. K. DUNCAN, [16.] Brigadier- General, Commanding. SPECIAL ORDERS, ADJT. AND INSP. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 224. Richmond, September 25, 1862. * * * * * * * XVII. Brig. Gen. John H. Forney, commanding Gulf District, will reorganize and reassemble the Ninth Battalion Alabama Volunteers. * * * * * * * By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, Assistant Adjutant- General. [15. Page 362 362 Sw. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. RICHMOND, VA., September 26, 1862. The SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: I herewith transmit, for your information, a communicatiou from the Secretary of War in reference to the defense of Western and Southern rivers, to which I invite your attention. JEFFERSON DAVIS. [Inclosure.] WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Richmond, Va., September 25, 1862. His Excellency the PRESIDENT: SIR: I have the honor to submit for transmission to Congress the inclosed letter from Lient. Col. J. F. Giliner, with regard to the defense of Western and Southern rivers. Very respectfully, your obedient servauf, GEG. W. RANDOLPH, Secretary of War. [Sub-iiiclosure.] WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., PNGINEER BUREAU, Richmond, Va., September 25, 1862. Hon. GEORGE W. RANDOLPH, Secretary of War: SIR: I have to ackuoxvledge the receipt of copies of the resolutions of the Senate and House of Representatives iii reference to the obstruc- tion and defense of Western and Southern rivers, accompanied by your indorsement, requesting this bureau to submit additional estimates, if required, and order the necessary reconnaissances forthwith. Our invaders having been driven from much of the country bordering on the Western rivers, competent engineer officers, in accordance with your instructions, will be directed to make careful examinations at an early day, with the view of selecting the best sites for defensive works and for obstructions in the rivers under their guns. Heavy batteries alone cannot be relied upon to resist the ironclad gun-boat, if the object of the enemy be to merely run by without reducing these forts; hence the obstruction of the channel becomes an essential feature of the defense. Careful study may enable the skillful engineer to devise plans for these obstructions that will give sufficient resistance to withstand the power- ful forces of freshet and driftwood, although a problem of much diffi- culty in rivers subject to such extraordinary rises. It is further hoped that an early commencement of the works may secure time for their completion before the season of high waters. To build obstructions of the requisite strength and massiveness, together with the proper descrip- tion of forts for their defense, will involve heavy outlays of money, and as the number of rivers to be examined and defended, if possible, is great, viz, the Cumberland, the Tennessee, the Mississippi, the White, the Arkansas, the Yazoo, the Red, the Alabama, and perhaps others, the total expenditure will amount to a large sum. The information now possessed by this bureau is not sufficient to furnish data for special estimates of cost, but from the character of the works that must be built, if made effective, the expenditure for each river will be large. I there- fore respectfully recommend that Congress be requested to appropriate for the current year for the examination, obstruction, and defense o Page 363 CHAP. LXIV.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 363 Western and Southern rivers the sum of $1,000 000 in addition to the amount recently asked for for the engineer service. Very respectfully, yonr obedient servant, J. F. (}JLMER, [17.] Lieutenant Colonel of Engineers, in charge of Bureau. HEADQUARTERS C. S. ARMY IN KENTUCKY, Bardstown, Ky., September 26, 1862. To the PEoPLE OF THE NORTHWEST: Oi approaching your borders at the head of a Confederate army, it ~s l)eOPel to announce to you the motives and the purposes of my pies- ence. I therefore make known to you First. That the Confederate Government is waging this war solely for self-defense that it has no designs of conquest, nor any other pur- pose than to secure peace and the abandonment by the United States of its pretensions to govern a people who never have been their sub- jects, and who prefer self-government to a union with them. Second. That the Confedera~te Government and people, deprecating civil strife from the beginning and auxious for a ])eaceful adjustment of all difference growing out of a political separation which they deemed essential to their happiness and well-being, at the moment of its juan- guration sent commissioners to Washington to treat for these objects, but that their commissioners were not received or eveii allowed to com- mnunicate the object of their mission~ and that on a subsequent occa- sion a communication from the President of the Confederate States to President Lincoln remained without answer, although a reply was promised by General Scott, into whose hands the communication was delivered. Third. That among the pretexts urged for the continuance of the war is the assertiou that the Confederate Government desires to deprive the United States of the free navigation of the Western rivers, although the truth is that the Confederate Congress, by public act, prior to the commencement of the war, enacted that the peaceful navigation of the Mississippi River is hereby declared free to the citizens of aiiy of the States upon its borders, or upon the borders of its tributaries, a dec- laration to which onr Government has always been and is still ready to adhere. From these declarations, people of the Northwest, it is made mania fest that, by the invasion of our territories by land and from sea, we have been unwillingly forced into a war for self-defense, and to vindi- cate a great principle, once dear to all Americans, to wit, that no people can be rightly governed except by their own consent. We desire peace now. We desire to see a stop ])ut to a useless amid cruel effusion of blood and that waste of national wealth rapidly leading to, and sure to end in, national bankruptcy. We are, therefore, now, as ever, ready to treat with the United States, or any one ormore of them, on termns of mutual justice and liberality. And at this juncture, when our arms have been successful on many hard-fought fields; when our people have exhibited a constancy, a fortitude, and a courage worthy of the boon of self-govermiment, we restrict ourselves to the same moderate demands that we made at the darkest period of our reversesthe demand that the people of the United States cease to war upon us and permit us in peace to pursue our path to happiness, while they in peace pursu Page 364 364 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. PLA., & N. GA. [CHAP. LXIV. theirs. We are, however, debarred from the renewal of former propos- als for peace, because the relentless spirit that actuates the Government at Washington leaves us no reason to expect that they would be received with the respect naturally due by nations in their intercourse, whether in peace or war. It is under these circumstances that we are driven to protect our own country by transferring the seat of war to that of an enemy who pur- sues us with an implacable and apparently aimless hostility. If the war must coutinne, its theater must be changed, and with it the policy that has heretofore kept us on the defensive on our own soil. So fir, it is only our fields that have been laid waste, our people killed, our homes made desolate, and our frontiers ravaged by rapine and murder. The sacred right of self-defense demands that henceforth some of the consequences of the war shall fall upon those who persist in their refusal to make peace. With the people of the Northwest rests the power to put an end to the invasion of their homes, for, if unable to prevail upon the Government of the United States to conclude a gen- eral peace, their own State governments, in the exercise of their sov- ereignty, can secure immunity from the desolating effects of warfare on their soil by a separate treaty of peace,. which our Government will be ready to conclude on the most just and liberal basis. The responsibility, then, rests with you, the people of the Northwest, of continuing an unjust and aggressive warfare upon the people of the Confederate States. And in the name of reason and humanity I call upon you to pause and reflect what cause of quarrel so bloody have you against these States, and what are you to gain by it. Nature has set her seal upon these States and marked them out to be your friends and allies. She has bound them to you by all the ties of geographical con- tiguity and conformation and the great mutual interests of commerce and productions. When the passions of this unnatural war shall have subsided and reason resumes her sway, a community of interest will force commercial and social- coalition between the great grain and stock growing States of the Northwest and the cotton, tobacco, and sugar regions of the South. The Mississippi River is a grand artery of their mutual national lives which men cannot sever, and which never ought to have been suffered to be disturbed by the antagonisms, the cupidity, and the bigotry of New England and the East. It is from the East that have come the germs of this bloody and most unnatural strife. It - is from the meddlesome, grasping, and fanatical disposition of the same people who have imposed upon you and us alike those tariffs, internal- improvement, and fishing-bounty laws whereby we have been taxed for their aggrandizement. It is from the East that will come the tax- gatherer to collect from you the mighty debt which is being amassed mountain high for the purpose of ruining your best customers and nat- ural friends. When this war ends, the same antagonisms of interest, policy, and feeling which have been pressed upon us by the East, and forced us from a political union where we had ceased to find safety for our inter- ests or respect for our rights, will bear down upon you and separate you from a people whose traditional policy it is to live by their wits upon the labor of their neighbors. Meantime you are being used by them to fight the battle of emancipation, a battle which, if successful, destroys our prosperity, and with it your best markets to buy and sell. Our mutual dependence is the work of the Creator. With our peculiar productions, convertible into gold, we should, in a state of peace, draw from you largely the products of your labor. In us of the South yo Page 365 CHAP. LXJTh] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.CONFEDERATE. 365 would find rich and willing customers. In the East you must confront rivals in productions and trade, and the tax-gatherer in all the forms of partial legislation. You are blindly following abolitionism to this end, whilst they are nicely calculating the gain of obtaining your trade on terms that would impoverish your country. You say you are fight- ing for the free navigation of the Mississippi. It is yours, freely, and has always been, without striking a blow. Yon s~y you are fighting to maintain the Union. That Union is a thing of the past. A union of consent was the only union ever worth a drop of blood. When force caine to be substituted for consent, the casket was broken and the con- stitutional jewel of your patriotic adoration was forever gone. I come, then, to you with the olive branch of peace, and offer it to yonr acceptance in the name of the memoi~ies of the past and the ties of the present and future. With you remains the responsibility and the option of continuing a cruel and wasting war, which can only end, after still greater sacrifices, in such treaty of peace as we now offer, or of preserving the blessings of peace by the simple abandonment of the design of subjugating a people over whom no right of dominion has been conferred on you by God or man. BRAXTOK BRAGG, [16.j General, C. S. Army. HEADQUARTERS, Ten Miles North of Bardstown, September 26, 186212 m. Colonel GARNER, Assistant Adjutant- General, Army of the Mississippi: COLONEL: Your dispatch of this date has been received. I will move a force at daylight in the morning beyond Sears Mill to ascer- tain the truth of the report of the enemy being in Shepherdsville, which force will occupy the Shepherdsville road. I find that I have now in canip seven companies of Colonel Murrays regiment, about 200 Texas Rangers, and a bout forty of the Second Georgia. The bal- ance of the brigade is all on outpost duty. Major Wlialey, of the Sec- ond Georgia, stationed at New Haven, though ordered to report, h~ not yet arrived. Please send him forward. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JNO. A. WHARTON, [16.] Colonel, Commanding Brigade. HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, ARMY OF KENTUCKY, Lancaster, September 28, 1862. Col. GEORGE G. GARNER Assistant Adjutant- General, Department No. 2, Bardstown: COLONEL: In obedience to orders of the 25th instant, from Maj. Gen. E. Kirby Smith, to proceed as rapidly as the condition of my command would admit to place myself in communication with and obey the instructions of General Bragg, I have the honor to report that I shall be to-day, with the infantry and artillery and part of my cavalry, in the vicinity of Danville, where, agreeably to your instructions of 26th instant, I shall await further orders. I have reason to believe that a sufficient force is in rear of General Morgan to prevent his return should he be cut off in front by the force of infantry and cavalr Page 366 366 SW. VA., KY., TENN., MISS., ALA., W. FLA., & N. GA. [CIIAP.LXIY. marching for that purpose. He was, when my route was changed, at Hazel Green, and will, I think, attempt to escape by the Sandy. I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, C. L. STEVENSON, r16.] Brigadier- General, Commanding. TUPELO, September 28, 1862. General PRICE: MY DEAR GENERAL: As soon as you determined to l)lace yourself and your army under command of General Van Dorn I determined to ask, upoil the happening of that contingency, to be relieved from duty with the Army of the West. Accordingly, when you reached Baldwyn the other day, I, after mature reflection and, with very sincere sorrow, wrote my application for such relief, and, after reading it to General Polk and one or two other friends, started to your headquarters with it. When I got there I found you harassed by so many anxieties that I could not consent to increase them by even so trivial a matter as the tendency of my application to leave you. I did this a second time with the same result, and even wrote a third letter of the same tenor to you. All of these I destroyed rather than add to your troubles, and finally resolVed to stifle my unwillingness to serve any longer with your army because of my regard for you and my aversion to retiring from it in the face of the enemy. I give my reasons candidly. They were these: I had once before, just four months ago, at that very place quit the army rather than serve under General Van Porn and his staff. I could not endure the incompetency and rashness of the one, nor the ineffi- ciency of the others. 1 could not consent to be any longer the instru- ment in their hands of doing gross injustice to the Missouri and other Trans-Mississippi troops of tour division. I foresaw that what had happened before was going to happen again. I foresaw from the cor- respondence that was passing between you that General Van Dorn, as soon as he got control over you, would take away your wagons and teams and give them to his own unprovided troops, unprovided by want of his own foresight and the inefficiency and carelessness of his officers. I foresaw in the same way that he wonld take away the arms that your foresight had l)rovided for your exchanged prisoners. I foresaw that he would, after doing this, take away your men. As I have already said, I nevertheless resolved to remain and endure everything for the sake of aiding you and rather than resign in face of the enemy. But my anticipations are being realized so rapidly that my indignation against General Van Porn is too intense, and my aversion to serve under him too great, to permit me to hesitate any longer. You will see from the inclosed note that General Van Dorn has invaded your dis- trict and in the most insulting terms ordered one of his sergeauts to go, even to your