Letter from J. M. Watt to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; February 24, 1863

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Letter from J. M. Watt to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; February 24, 1863

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People

Pemberton, John C. (John Clifford), 1814-1881 Pettus, John Jones, 1813-1867 Watt, J. M.

Events

Military Events--Raid

Military Units

Confederate States of America. Army United States. Navy

Places

Clayton (Miss.)Coldwater (Tate County, Miss.)Forts Greenwood (Miss.)Tallahatchie River (Miss.)Vicksburg (Miss.)Yazoo River (Miss.)

Social Identifiers

Enslaved people Historically free and newly freed African Americans

Vital Statistics

Wounds and injuries

Page 1

[seal]

Greenwood Miss.
Feb 24^th_,, 1863.

Gov, Pettus.
D^r Sir.

The circumstances under which we are placed,warrents me in making a few suggestions to you, (The guardian of our state.) Since Viscksburg stands out to the world, a monument to your memory; & the grand panorama of a stern will; & an abiding lesson, to the gigantic powers of the Federal marine; flushed, though it was, with the quiet yield=ing up of sundry equally defensible places, we must naturally turn to you, & would ask you look at the present threatening attitude of our foe, now ad=vancing through Cold Water. The occupation by them of the Tallahatch^i^e Yazoo river, must be quite a step towards the fall of Vicksburg, The central road exposed to raids from sundry points & the most productive country in the state, shut out from the maintenance of our army, is no inconsiderable achievement, yet we feel, notwithstanding their progress, & our tardiness up to this time; "A strong; vigorous, & determined will can teach another lesson;" Science may fail"; These educated, highly wrought generals, have a sphere, too frequently them=selves the or by I mean no reflection; It is a natural consequence. Certain it is that genius. skill, nor many of the great effective powers of man, are found necessari=ly linked with profession. This is a big country, Gen. Pemberton is not likely to know its geography minutely. Hence I tell you, if you would stay the invaders quick, hard, [hicks?] must be hit. Today our fortifications are going forward at Clayton, with two guns mounted; Today if the enemy were to cross, we could offer but little resistance to their passage, If our batteries were finished, they could never pass. We have now many negroes on the works, & room for more aid; And there are 200 freeman sitting by, quietly waiting the completion, & then for the enemy's better fighting for liberty, than throwing dirt. Draw out your forces, let us have more guns & men, & let the Vicksburg spirit prevail then victory will be ours.

Respectfully Yours,

J. M. Watt,

Page 2

I cannot write except with my left hand having been accidently wounded, in the right,

J. M, W,