Letter from Thomas H. McCowen to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; March 4, 1863

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Letter from Thomas H. McCowen to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; March 4, 1863

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

People

Anderson, W. H.McCoven, Thomas H.McMurtry, Woodson Mims, Livingston Pettus, John Jones, 1813-1867

Events

Military Events--Impressment Military Events--Impressment. Enslaved people Military Events--Impressment. Exemption

Occupations

Clergy Law Enforcement Law Enforcement--Sheriffs Planter Tanners

Places

Louisiana--East Baton Rouge Parish. Port Hudson Mississippi--Adams County. Washington Mississippi--Hinds County. Jackson

Social Identifiers

African Americans African Americans--Enslaved People Enslavers

Vital Statistics

Disease and illness

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[seal]

Washington Adams C^o,,^ Missisippi [gap] March 4th 1863

His Excellency
J. J. Pettus, Gov^r,, &c
Jackson—

Sir: In further Support of the application, under date of 28th ult:, which I addressed your Excellency, in which ^I asked^ to be relieved by an order from the Executive ^to be^ addressed to the Sheriff of this County, to exempt my negro men from being impressed to go to Port Hudson, to work on the fortifications, I deem it advisable to enclose the so within communication from Mr Woodson M^c,, Murtry to the Sheriff of this County. Mr. M^c,, Murtry is the foreman in my tannery establishment.

Lest the aforestated application may have miscarried I will briefly recapitulate what was Said in my endeavor to be exempted.

I am ^a planter & am^ this year engaged in tannery business on a large Scale in this County; and am working my Stock of leather put in last Summer. During the last month, I worked in a large number of green hides. My location is Such that I cannot purchase bark, and, in consequence, my operations are retarded. and have all my men force now employed in peeling bark. The Sheriff has notified me to Send my able bodied men to Port Hudson [page torn] forthwith, and the enforcement thereof will cause loss of all my green hides, and Stop the tannery for Some time. I had already Sent Some men to Port Hudson, but neumonia &c, at the time prevented Sending full quota.

I started in January pass to Jackson to offer my Services,

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Stock, and materials, to the government, was taken Sick and had to return, and am now in bed. Since then I have written to Maj. Mims to same purpose, but no reply received. All are Still at the Service of the government. Under such representations will you at once please direct Sheriff to exempt my force from impressment & Send Same under cover to my address.

For information, I refer your Excellency to Rev^d W. H. Anderson of Jackson.

Will you please reply immediately—

I am, Very respectfully,
Your Obt Servt,

Thomas H M^c,, Coven

Thomas H M^c Cowen
answered