Letter from J. P. Montgomery to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; June 20, 1861

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Letter from J. P. Montgomery to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; June 20, 1861

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People

Ames, David Bishop, W. C.Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889 Farrar, W. M.Freeman, J. J Henry, John James, W. S.Johnson, R. J.Jones, A.Montgomery, A. D.Montgomery, J. P.Pettus, John Jones, 1813-1867 Rife, A. J.

Events

Military Events--Military elections Military Events--Recruiting and enlistment

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Clergy Farmers Lawyers Probate law and practice Sheriffs

Places

Double Springs (Miss.)Jackson (Miss.)Oktibbeha County (Miss.)South Carolina Tampico (Miss.)

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Military Status--Military families

Page 1

[seal]

Tampico June 20^th 1861

Gov Pettis

Dear & much respected Sir

will you permit one occupying a ^so humble^ position as I, to address you a Short Epistle, the object of which is to make a request of or aske a favor, There is a numbers of us in this vicinity who wish to form a cavalry company which we will designate as the Oktibbeha Cavalry Company. The object of Said company will be to go to the point most needed, We wish to make of company upon the following principles to wit. 1^st we want to be permitted to go into Service about the first of Sept next & remain in Service as long as we can not bound for any definite period of time. That is to go, & come as we may think most advisable, 2^nd we wish to elect our own Officers & be answerable to them & they for all they are to you or Pres. Davis or the General in that division where we may operate. 3^rd we do not wish to lend ourselves to Stay as I have said for any definite length of time all or nearly all of us have large families & are men in moderate circumstances

Page 2

& would spend ~~the~~ 6 months commencing first Sept threw the winter in doing all we could in defince of Our rights & then in the Spring return home & make a crop for our families again. 4^th we would expect while in actual Service to receive the Same pay as other Cavalry companies upon a certificate from the officer highest in command in that division or locality whare we operate. I mean the General or Commander in chief. Col if you pleas.

We are anxious to do something for our conutry's rights, but do not think under all the circumstances that we would be fully justifiable in lending our selves to go for 1 or 2 or more years & then we think in 6 months we might effect a deal of good under the guidance of diverse providence. We were induced to make this request from circumstances as where narrated & from seeing an account of the formation of Similar Company in South Carolina & the Govenors furnishing for them to operate as we have requested If our humble request can possible meet your approbation & you can grant our request you will much gratify some of your humble constituents & country men

If you wish to know as to our Standing in our County, (Oktibbeha), you can address M^r John Henry of Double Springs. I mention him because I know you know him, for I saw you there some years ago. also the sheriff W. S. James or W. C Bishop Probate Clerk or David Ames Judge of Probate at home in your citty I am know from character by some ^Rev^ A. Jones rector of Miss. Baptist Rev J. J Freeman & Rev W. M Farrar all of whom are now or have lived in Jackson the last named [unclear] in Freeman & Farrar I know personally [page torn]

In conclusion, we earnestly Pray permission, if it can comport with Sense of law & propriety, to form [page torn] Company that we may be able [page torn] our common cause Some good with these statements we want your decision for we wish to be loyal

yours Fraternally
J P. Montgomery in the name of all your petitioners
R J Johnson
D. F Ramey Esqr
A. J. Rife
A D Montgomery & others

I will give a few more names

Page 3

J. P. Montgomery
June 20^th /61

Petition to form a cavalry Company to serve not for six months—go into
service at their own will & withdraw when it suits them to get pay while in service

No such Company Can be recieved

Tampico Miss
Paid
July 1^st J. J. Pettus
Jackson
Miss

Ans^d July 13^th 61