Letter from A. K. Brantley to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; April 24, 1863

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Letter from A. K. Brantley to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; April 24, 1863

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Each transcribed document contains links that connect it to other documents on the same topic in the collection.

People

Brantley, A. K.Pettus, John Jones, 1813-1867

Events

Crime Crime--Destruction of property Crime--Theft Criminal Procedure--Execution Military Events--Invasions

Military Units

Confederate States of America. Army Mississippi. Militia United States. Army United States. Army. Cavalry

Occupations

Farmers

Places

Jackson (Miss.)Mayhew (Miss.)Oktibbeha County (Miss.)

Social Identifiers

Military Status--Prisoners of war

Vital Statistics

Death Wounds and injuries

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[seal]

Mayhew Station Miss
April 24^th 1863

Gov. J. J. Pettus

Dear Sir, hoping you will forgive me for tress-passing upon your time and attention in this note, I would represent to your Excellency the condition & feeling of the people in this County (oktibbeha) and particularly in this com-munity. We are just now Suf-fering from the losses Sustained and injuries & insults Received from the Federal Cavalry, that have just passed down through here, plundering stealing and destroying in their march.

This Region is still exposed to such visitations and the citizenss generally are prevented

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from entering into any organ-ization from the fact that the Federal officers have published as they went that "Every citizen caught showing that he was a Combatant, would be hung" immediately; this very thing, Sir, and the reason why several hundred of them were not killed & captured by the citizens of the Surrounding Neighborhoods. Now Sir, There are a few of us who do not con-sider the consequences, but are determined to meet them in battle whenever they come, as we did when they were here, and would like for you to throw the protecting Mantle of the State over us, So we could claim all the privileges of prisoners of war. I would have your Excellency understand that nearly all the men that are

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here now, are old Men [?] Boys, barely enough to carry on the farming intrist of the country and consequently, we are compelled to keep out of any Regularly organized Corpse of the State or Confederate Troops But if you can commission us as the State Troops, to act at descretion, without any renumer-ation; Subject to your order at all times, I can get men enough in this and adjoining Counties organized in such a way as to render the State good and efficient Service, without costing the State a single cent ~~except~~ only to recognize & commis-sion us as her Troops, with orders to act in consert and under proper State & Confederate officers and at such times as we may deem necessary. The favor of an answer is much desired

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as early as possible. By comp-lying with this Request, you will a lasting obligation upon the people in this part of the state.

With respect I am obt. svt.

A. K. Brantley

Gov. J. J. Pettus
Jackson Miss

A K Brantley
24 April 1862

Asking protection for and authority to raise a company in Oktibbeha co.