Letter from John M. Grant to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; June 28, 1862

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Letter from John M. Grant to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; June 28, 1862

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

People

Davis, Reuben, 1813-1890 Grant, John M.Harris, William Littleton, 1807-1868 Pettus, John Jones, 1813-1867 Welsh, Israel

Events

Confederate States of America--Draft Crime Crime--Destruction of property Military Events--Capitulations Military Events--Military service exemption Military Events--Recruiting and enlistment

Military Units

Mississippi. Militia Mississippi. Militia. Cavalry Regiment, 1st (30 days) (State Troops) (Foote's)United States. Army United States. Navy

Organizations

Watercraft

Occupations

Tradespeople

Places

Bodies of Water--Interstate. Mississippi River Illinois--Alexander County. Cairo Louisiana--Orleans Parish. New Orleans Mississippi--Noxubee County. Macon Mississippi--Warren County. Vicksburg

Social Identifiers

Military Status--Military families Military Status--Prisoners of war

Page 1

[seal]

Macon Miss
June 28. 1862.

His Excellency, John J Pettus.

Dear Sir:

The troublous times that are upon us. The desperate attempts of the fanatic, despotic and faithless Yankees to subjugate our country, and bring upon our homes and families The Thou-sands of evils incident thereto. And believing as I do, that every true South-erner should serve his country in the best possible way, I am induced to ask your Excellency, (if you should deem such power in you lies,) to empower me to raise a Squadron or Company for state service on the grounds and principles of the Partisan Corps in the Confederate service. I would take them from that portion of our populace now exempt by the Conscript Law. I will state, that I have lived about twelve years of my life on the banks of the Mississippi, have traded a great deal on it, and am thoroughly acquainted with the country from Cairo to N. Orleans. And, I may safely say, there is scarcely a man better acquainted with the interior of our State than I. I have not been idle in my country's cause, but have been in the Confederate Service, and now only wish to be placed, where, in my humble judgment, My services would be most useful.

That field, I believe, would be upon the Miss River, where I could annoy the en-emies Transports &c. And, I have rason to believe, could procure enough of light Artillery to sink or Capture all not strongly guarded by Gunboats.

My light troops I would arm with rifles, or at least part of them, the ballance Shot guns and such other small arms as could be procured.

For My Capacity, as I am but slightly ~~acquainted~~ ^known^ personally ~~with~~ ^to^ you, I beg leave to refer you to The Hon Israel Welsh, Genl Reuben Davis, and Hon W^m L. Harris.

I hope you will excuse the boldness of the request of an immediate

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answer, and your views fully on the subject.

I cannot conclude without the most sincere expressions of the highest admiration I feel, in common with every true patriot in Eastern Miss, for your noble and gallant determination to defend Vicksburg to the last, and I pray God, should it fall into the hands of the enemy, they may have a pile of ashes as their trophy. And I feel proud to know, that it has been reser-ved for Mississippi to teach the vaunting foe the vulnerability of their boasted Gunboats, and, that at least, "Mississippians do not know how to surrender."

With sentiments of the highest esteem and regard.
I am your Exccellency's obt svt.

John M. Grant

June 28, 1862 John M. Grant