Letter from General Charles G. Dahlgren to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; October 1, 1861

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Letter from General Charles G. Dahlgren to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; October 1, 1861

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People

Block, R. D.Dahlgren, Charles Gustavus, 1808-1888 Goode, Enos J.McAfee, Madison Pettus, John Jones, 1813-1867 Twiggs, David Emanuel, 1790-1862

Military Units

Confederate States of America. Army Confederate States of America. Army. Mississippi. Infantry Regiment, 7th Under Review Under Review--Brigades

Organizations

Confederate States of America--War Department. Quartermaster Department Military Headquarters

Places

Louisiana--Orleans Parish. New Orleans Military training camps--Mississippi. Camp Clark Mississippi--Hinds County. Jackson

Vital Statistics

Disease and illness

Page 1

Oct 1^st—1861
Gen Dahlgren

Head-Quarters, Third Brigade Army of Miss: Camp Clark. Oct. 1^st. 1861—

His Excellency,
Gov^r,, Pettus,
Jackson, Miss:

Sir,

In accordance with the request of the officers of this Brigade, I have deputed the Bearer, Col. E. J. Goode, 7^th,,, Regiment, to confer with you, on the present state of affairs of this Brigade. Its condition is one to which no body of men—to say nothing of soldiers—should ever be reduced and to obiate which all my exertions have been directed—but so far with out success from lack of instructons and authority.

The difficulties are radical and require prompt and vigorous action—viz:

1. The refusal of the Confederate mustering officer to receive a Company with less than 64 privates.

2. The critical condition of the Brigade with but few days supplies on hand and no probability of procuring more—although call has been made repeatedly upon yourself—Col. Mcafee QuarterMaster Gen^l,, and R. D. Block, Asst. QuarterMaster, N. Orleans.

As regards to first I have called for in=structions, Per Telegraph, upon you, several times since Saturday viz: 1. Whether the mustering officer can refuse Companies of under 64 and over 48. privates. 2. And if so, what shall be done with those Companies, where the men are desirous to muster, but do not number 64, by reason of furlough or=

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sickness—but exceed 48 men. 3^rd,, Whether the mustering officer shall or can select Companies, from each or either Regiments of 64. privates, for the Confederate Service, and by rejecting others under 64. break up the State Regiments.

These are questions of moment and importance, which have to be met and answered—and if you refuse me instructions on these points, I can only act according to my views as before expressed.

The other point is the singular situation of the Brigade from lack of supplies. We are now nearly out, and I desire instructions on that point, as to future course.

I enclose a copy of letter to Gen^l,, Twiggs, which fully explain my views—and am compelled to close, by referring to Col. Goode who can fully explain every thing connected with our situation, now becoming very serious.

If Gen^l,, Twiggs will authorize a stationary mus=tering officer here to fill up, by recruits, the Regiments can soon be filled to full numbers.

I am
respt.. [unclear]
C G Dahlgren Brig. Genl:
Commdg