Letter from J. B. Poindexter to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; December 20, 1862

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Letter from J. B. Poindexter to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; December 20, 1862

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People

Adams, William Wirt, 1819-1888 Forrest, Nathan Bedford, 1821-1877 McDonald, Enoch Pettus, John Jones, 1813-1867 Poindexter, J. B.

Military Units

Confederate States of America. Army Confederate States of America. Army. Cavalry Confederate States of America. Army. Mississippi. Infantry Regiment, 3rd

Organizations

Mississippi--Treasury Department Post offices

Places

Bodies of Water--Interstate. Mississippi River Mississippi--Warren County. Vicksburg

Page 1

[seal]

Encampment 3^d Regt Miss Infy

Dec 20^th 1862

Gov. J J Pettus

Your. Excly.

I take the liberty of addressing you to suggest the use of sub-marine batteries in the Mississippi.

From the Mississippi River down Sub-Marine batteries can only be used in that stream from the fact that large numbers of Gun Boats and transports are continually passing under a flag of truce. The subject of sub-marine batteries I thoroughly understand and I think would be of great benefit to our nearly overrun state My plan is to have demijohns filled with powder enclosed in Air-tight boxes in order to make them float under the water but a very short distance which I can easily do by useing gasses and then put them in the river with boats carried on wheels like boats for a pontoon bridge, whenever a boat gets over then they are to be fired by electricity The expenses of fitting up these boats and cost of powder cannot exceed

Page 2

Five thousand dollars including 100 batteries The plan of putting powder in glass was suggested to Capt M^cDonald by me and it was very succesful at this place I am thoroughly acquainted with working electricity have for a long time been a telegraphic operator. It could be worked in conjunction with Col. Wirt Adam'^s or Capt Forrest cavalry but few men would be required, Hoping that you have some funds in the state treasury that can be applied to this servise. I hope to receive some encourage=ment from you

I remain

Your. obt Sevt

J B Poindexter

Lt & adjt 3^d Miss Infy

P. O Vicksburg

Miss

J. B Poindexter

Pettus Ser E [?]

58-59