Letter from Captain Edward Fontaine to Mississippi Governor John Jones Pettus; September 5, 1861

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Letter from Captain Edward Fontaine to Mississippi Governor John Jones Pettus; September 5, 1861

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People

Fontaine, Edward, 1814-1884 Johns, William Pettus, John Jones, 1813-1867 Unknown, Jack

Events

Military Events--Military leaves and furloughs Military Events--Recruiting and enlistment

Military Units

Confederate States of America. Army Confederate States of America. Army. Artillery Confederate States of America. Army. Cavalry Confederate States of America. Army. Mississippi. Infantry Regiment, 18th Confederate States of America. Army. Mississippi. Infantry Regiment, 18th. Company K United States. Army United States. Army. Army of the Potomac

Places

Alabama--Calhoun County. Alexandria Bodies of Water--Interstate. Potomac River Military training camps Sectors of Land--Mississippi. Gulf Coast Virginia--Alexandria County. Arlington Virginia--Loudoun County. Leesburg Washington (D.C.)

Vital Statistics

Disease and illness

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[seal]

Camp near Leesburg Va.
Sep 5^th 1861.

Gov^r. J. J. Pettus

Dear Sir.

My affairs at home requiring my presence for a time, and not being able to get a month's furlough, I have been compelled to send in my resignation as Captain of the Burt Rifles. It is doubtful whether it will be accepted, & I fixed the date of its intended effect sufficiently late to enable me to lead the company in the Battle we expect in a few days. The principal part of the army of the Potomac is now drawn in a semicircle around Arlington and Alexandria; and as the hostile lines are now in Artillery distance of each other a great battle is inevitable. Scaling ladders, and all the implements necessary for an assault have been carried to our lines; and ere this reaches you I hope the Lincoln menagerie will be stampeded, &

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the ruins of Washington will be ours. I am afraid however that we will not be ordered into action there, as a large force of the enemy is in sight of us across the Potomac & we may be kept here to hold them in check.

As soon as I return home, I should like to be put in command of five companies with a Colonels commission. I wish them to be a company of artillery with four pieces; & four cavalry companies armed (if possible) with sabres & pistols. My object is to drill these to act together in battle. When a body of infantry is thrown into confusion by the battery I wish the cavalry to charge them. If the battery is attempted to be charged by infantry I wish the cavalry to force them into squares to be fired upon by the battery; & for others uses which will be obvious to you. With such a force I could move like the wind into danger or out of it; & strike a blow any where, and some which would decide a battle.

It is this sort of combined force which we need in this War, & with your consent I will organize one immediately to be ready to guard our coast or to act wherever it may be most needed.

If this is found impractica-ble (which I do not believe) I will try and make myself useful in drilling the newly organized troops in our part of this state if you wish me to do so.

Jack is well. Willie Johns is sick with typhoid fever, but I do not think him in immediate danger. We have many other cases in the Regt.

Respectfully
Yr. obt. st.
E^wd Fontaine.

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Sept 5^th 1861
Capt E Fontaine

Reference to his resig-nation—