Letter from C. B. New to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; February 26, 1863

Documents
Letter from C. B. New to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; February 26, 1863

Document Network
Document Metadata

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

People

New, C. B.Pettus, John Jones, 1813-1867

Events

Impressment Impressment--Enslaved people

Places

Fayette (Miss.)Jefferson County (Miss.)Port Hudson (La.)Rodney (Miss.)Vicksburg (Miss.)

Social Identifiers

African Americans Enslaved people

Vital Statistics

Disease and illness

Page 1

Rodney Feby 26^th 1863—

His Excl'y
Gov. J. J Pettus

Dear Sir,

Supposing the requisition upon this County made by the officers at Port Hudson for slaves to work upon the fortifications was sanctioned by you as provided by late laws of the state, many of our citizens, your humble servant among the number sent them. It is now rumored, how true I do not know, that our negroes are not to be returned, but are to be retained after the work on fortifications are finished—The wrong and injustice of such an act by the officers at Port Hudson, I need not to you comment upon—

I doubted the propriety as well as the legal-ity of sending our slaves out the state, yet knowing the importance of maintaining the post below I did not hesitate to send—Many more in this County did however refuse to send their negroes, either to Vicksburg or Port Hudson, if our negroes are still wanted at Port Hudson will it be just to retain those who have complied with your orders in regard to the necessities of our times, while those who have refused to send any shall be excused for their selfishness?

A requisition [page torn] days since was made

Page 2

[note] This item has not been deacidified. [/note]

upon this County for 75 more negroes to go to Port Hudson—The negroes went to Fayette then sent home with the statement that no more were wanted—This requisition was made upon those who had sent none before—Now if no more negroes are wanted, why retain ours and if ours are wanted longer, why were the gentlemen. who have sent none released from sending any after the last order? I can not see the propriety or justice of retaining the negroes of those who promptly complied with your orders, and now discharging the negroes of those who have refused to aid in the general defense, The fault is at Port Hudson not with you.

Looking to you, who alone under our laws have the power to impress our negroes, for that justice, which doubtless in your executive capacity it will be your pride as well as plea=sure to see eqally dispersed among all your fellow citizens, & by you to take such steps as will secure the safe and speedy return of our negroes from this county, who are now at Port Hudson—I learn our negroes are hardly fed and working without any regard to their health day and night—One of my ones I learn is sick—

Thanking you for your determined defense of Vicksburg, with sentiments of high regard

I am [page torn] Sir, Yrs

C. B. New,