Letter from R. Seal to Mississippi Governor John Jones Pettus; May 1, 1862

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Letter from R. Seal to Mississippi Governor John Jones Pettus; May 1, 1862

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Document Metadata

Each transcribed document contains links that connect it to other documents on the same topic in the collection.

People

Lovell, Mansfield, 1822-1884 Pettus, John Jones, 1813-1867 Seal, R.Steede, Abner C.

Events

Crime Crime--Treason Criminal Procedure--Arrest

Military Units

Confederate States of America. Army Confederate States of America. Army. Mississippi. Cavalry Battalion, 17th Mississippi Home Guard United States. Army

Organizations

Clubs and Secret Societies Clubs and Secret Societies--Mississippi Vigilance Committees

Places

Gulf Coast (Miss.)Jackson (Miss.)Military training camps--Camp Moore (La.)New Orleans (La.)Pearl River (Miss. and La.)Ship Island (Miss.)

Social Identifiers

Enslaved people

Page 1

[seal]

Pearl River May 1 1862

Governer John J Pettus
Jackson

D Sir

All of the Soldiers on the Sea coast have been removed to Camp Moore. except two cavalry companies under the Command of Major A. C. Steede. It was at first one company gotten up by Major Steede there Capt under the [up?] & direction of Genl Lovell for the local defence of our Sea Shore. he has now about two hundred men under his command Since Genl Lovell either evacuated or gave up the City of New Orleans. he has ordered Major Steede West of Pear River. where in my opinion he can be of no use. for the reason that the enemy can not approach from New Orleans by land to Camp Moore. & in fact I do not believe that the enemy will even go to Camp Moore for the purpose of a fight only. There can be no other under [?] our late disaster have developed the fact that we have many traitors on the Sea Coast. who have been in constant communication with the enemy for months & have furnished them with all the information

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relation to our movements these men are now hading with the enemy & aiding them in stealing slaves &c a traffic that ought to be stopped at once our best citzens have been compelled to abandon their homes & move off they tell me that these apprehensions of these traitors are greater than that of the enemy. I have seen many gentlemen since my return & they all give in the request that you will use your influence with Gen'l Lowell & get him to withdraw the order removing Major Steede from the Sea coast. with his men he can with proper authority stop this illicit trading and prevent marauding parties from investing the County should be removed all of our Loyal citizens will be compelled to have also for want of protection to their persons & property

A am as to Major Steede. I have known him intimately for years. he is a resident of our sea Board. & well acquainted with our mixed population. he has seen service he was an officer in the [Mexican War, 1846-1848|Mexican War]]. he is a very intelligent & gallant officer & one better fitted. for the defence of our Southern border than any one that I can now think of, he has already arrested one spy on his way to Ship Island. he is ever [vigilant?] of his duties I hope that you may take a favorable view of our position & have him retained here with proper authority to act in the premises. our fear is traitors we can whip the yankees

yours vy Respectfully
R Seal

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R. Seal troops on sea coast

may 1862

Gov John J Pettus
Jackson

Major Steede