Letter from R. S. Hudson to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; March 1, 1863

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Letter from R. S. Hudson to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; March 1, 1863

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People

Bowman, Robert Hudson, R. S.Pemberton, John C. (John Clifford), 1814-1881 Pettus, John Jones, 1813-1867 Smith, Unknown Tye, John F.

Events

Impressment Impressment--Enslaved people

Military Units

Confederate States of America. Army Confederate States of America. Army. Mississippi. Light Artillery Regiment, 1st Confederate States of America. Army. Mississippi. Light Artillery Regiment, 1st. Battery I

Occupations

Judges

Places

Benton (Miss.)Vicksburg (Miss.)Yazoo County (Miss.)

Social Identifiers

African Americans Enslaved people

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Benton. March 1, 1863.

Gov. Jno. J. Pettus,

D^r. Sir. Yours of 21st ult is before me stating you had not authorized Lt. Tye to impress any slaves for the state or confedrate services. Lt. Tye was detailed by Capt. Bowman of Co. "I". Withers Light Artillery to impress slaves in Yazoo County to work upon the fortifications and defenses at Vicksburg. I have not the state improvement law before me but my recollection of it is that the Confederate Authorities may impress under & by the authority of the Governor only, and this authority must be given to the highest commander of the District for which the improvement was sought. Lt. Tye was detailed by the Confederate Authority to make the impressment. I had no idea that he was directly authorized by you to do so but supposed that you had, under the act authorized Genl. Pemberton or Genl Smith to impress and that Lt Tye had been detailed under that authority. I desire to know whether you authorized any confederate or state authority to impress for the confederate or State service at or above at Vicksburg and if so, who and when? Many of my negroes have been at Vicksburg for a long time voluntarily sent these by me and had just been sent home, when this authority was sent to impress the country generally. It was a resort, not needed to obtain my negroes, as I have responded to all calls for such help and stand ready to do so still, even if I lost some last negro in the work, but they choose to impress and did impress, and I knew no authority they had for doing so, unless you had authorized it under the late law.

Your early reply is kindly solicited.

Very truly

R.S. Hudson

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Hon. R.S. Hudson
Benton
Miss

Answered

[note] This item has not been deacidified. [/note]