Letter from James M. Howry to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; October 29, 1862

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Letter from James M. Howry to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; October 29, 1862

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People

Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant), 1818-1893 Bragg, Braxton, 1817-1876 Caskey, Thomas W., 1816-1896 Howry, James M.Pemberton, John C. (John Clifford), 1814-1881 Pettus, John Jones, 1813-1867 Quinche, Alexander J.Smith, Pinckney

Organizations

Confederate States of America--War Department Confederate States of America--War Department. Quartermaster Department Hospitals Libraries Observatories Universities and colleges Universities and colleges--Mississippi. University of Mississippi

Businesses

Laboratories

Occupations

College Teachers Education Professionals Judges Medical Profession Medical Profession--Physicians Medical Profession--Surgeons

Places

Mississippi--Lafayette County. Oxford

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Oxford 29 Oct 1862

Gov. Pettus & Judge Smith.

Gentlemen,

Last summer, when an effort was made by Capt Caskey & the Post Sur-geon here, to take possession of all the university buildings, under an order which they had procured from Gen Bragg, for hospital purposes, after every other effort on my part to prevent it, had failed, I appealed to Gen Beauregard & he ordered "that our agent Prof Quinche, should be undisturbed in the possession of his residence; and that, the Laboratory, Library, Cabinet & observatory &c should not be occupied as a hospital—that the Post Surgeon must look out for other quarters &c for the sick." This order put a quietus to the encroachments of our state agent, Q^r Master & Post Surgeon, and nothing more occurred during their adminis-tration & the hospital was closed.

The Confederate states subsequently took possession of the university buildings & grounds & opened another hospital there, I never heard of any of the state authorities being consulted, or the Board of Trustees for leave to occupy them; no one interfered with them so far as I know & to day I learn that an order has been received here from the Medical Director, directing the Post Surgeon to take possession of a prepare the ~~hospital~~^buildings^ to their utmost extent for soldiers &c. To this I think we ought to

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to object; and as a trustee I deem it my duty to do so, & I know every member of the Board, but one, is in favor of preserving the university property.

I propose that you see Gen Pemberton and make a statement to him & ask his interference in the matter.

I would say reserve the Observatory & main building from occupation as a hospital, These buildings are of great value with their contents, & I think empty houses are better suited for hospital purposes.

Let me hear from you soon.

Yours very respectfully
James M. Howry

James M Howry
Oxford Miss
Oct 1862

objecting to the occupation of the state university as a Hospital