Letter from General Charles G. Dahlgren to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; December 5, 1861

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Letter from General Charles G. Dahlgren to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; December 5, 1861

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People

Clark, M. R.Dahlgren, Charles Gustavus, 1808-1888 Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865 Lovell, Mansfield, 1822-1884 Pettus, John Jones, 1813-1867 Ruggles, Daniel, 1810-1897 Smith, Unknown

Events

Military Events--Recruiting and enlistment

Military Units

Mississippi Home Guard Mississippi. Militia

Organizations and Businesses

Foundries Mills Mississippi. Legislature

Places

Bay Saint Louis (Miss.)Biloxi (Miss.)Gulf Coast (Miss.)Handsboro (Gulfport, Miss.)Jackson (Miss.)Louisiana Military training camps--Camp Lewis (La.)Military training camps--Camp Moore (La.)Mississippi City (Miss.)Mississippi River Mississippi Sound (Miss.)New Orleans (La.)Ocean Springs (Miss.)Pascagoula (Miss.)Pass Christian (Miss.)

Social Identifiers

African Americans

Vital Statistics

Disease and illness

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[ seal]

New Orleans La
Decr' 5th 1861

His Exc'y
Gov Pettus
Jackson, Miss

Sir

I had anticipated seeing you before this but was detained by a conference with the military author-ities here upon the subject of our coast and river defences until last night when I was taken with a violent attack of colic and dysentery which will, I fear, prevent my seeing you until I have sufficiently recuperated, for the more speedy and certain doing of which I shall go home by the first Boat, after another interview with the military authorities here.

From the present appearances I dread that my anticipations of last January and May may be realized, our river is very little better prepared than it was then and our seacoast is totally defenceless. There are no troops at Ocean Springs, Biloxi, Mississippi City or Handsboro and almost as good as none at Pass-

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Christian as they are almost entirely un=supported or isolated, thus leaving the entire scope of country from Bay St Louis to Pascagoula open and inviting to the enemy, in their condition affording a fine landing and military point for the enemy, together with houses for winter quarters, foundries, saw mills, and the other establish=ments ready to his hand, nor is this the least evil, he claims the right to free and arm the negroes as well as find-ing allies and friends in a dis-affected and unreliable population, many of whom only want an opportunity to join our foes. It does appear to me, very strange that Mississippi, who will soon have more than 35000 men in the field, fighting the battles of other states cannot be allowed a few thousand of her troops to protect her soil from in-vasion. It is more than probable that the other Regiment will be ordered away from Shieldsboro, as the only thoughts held in view is to protect the city of New Orleans, overlooking the the fact that the most certain way of protecting New Orleans is to harrass and annoy the enemy all along the sound and cripple him as much as possible before he debarks in the vicinity of the City and especially if this can be accom=plished in defending our coast to the last moment and then by a short march take an effective part in the defence of New Orleans, while with the advantage of climate, location, etc. the troops could drill as well and enjoy better health than at Camp Moore and Camp Lewis, this plan drawn by me prior to my going to the seacoast has been submitted to Gen'l Ruggles, Maj Smith and other military officers who have all approved of it, Gen'l Lovell I have not yet yet seen on the subject, having been prevented, by sickness, from meeting him to day, on account of weakness I cannot write more, but will again address you when stronger—Allow me to suggest that the Legislature appropriate several millions of dollars, organize the Militia as speedily and as effecticely as possible. I enclose a copy of an act that may probably answer the purpose.

Some individuals who were captured by Lincoln, on the Steamboats have been required to take the oath of allegiance

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to him and then sent ashore, this should be promptly stoped, by treating all such as our enemies.

On account of severity of pains I must close.

Very Respy
Yr Obt Srv
C. G. Dahlgren Brig Gen'l

M. R. Clark
adjt [?] Gen'l

Decr 5^th 1861
Gen Dahlgren