Letter from General James R. Chalmers to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; April 24, 1863

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Letter from General James R. Chalmers to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; April 24, 1863

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People

Blythe, Green L.Chalmers, James R. (James Ronald), 1831-1898 Falkner, William Hunt, Williamson Maxwell, W. C.McGuirk, John Pettus, John Jones, 1813-1867 Tupper, T. C.

Events

Military Events--Military elections Military Events--Recruiting and enlistment

Military Units

Confederate States of America. Army Confederate States of America. Army. Mississippi. Cavalry Battalion, 18th Mississippi. Militia Mississippi. Militia. Cavalry Battalion (Blythe's)Under Review

Organizations

Military Headquarters

Places

Mississippi--Tate County. Coldwater

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Head Qs 5th Military District
[Pauda? (Miss.)|Pauda?] Miss April 24^th 63

^To^ His Excellency Gov Pettus

Dr Sir

A paragraph in your letter led me to suppose that Col M^cGuirk had been complaining of some interference with his command

I called on him to know whether any company had been raised ~~raised~~ by any officer authorized by him to raise a Company which is not now reporting to him. Col M^cGuirk in reply says that Capt Hunt's company which is now reporting to Blythe was directed to report to him—

This is a mistake Capt Hunt's company was ordered by Genl. Tupper into a regt with Blythe Battalion. Afterwards Genl. Tupper wrote me as follows "Col M^cGuirk informs me that he regarded Capt Williamson Hunts company as belonging to his Regt.

As all the troops in North Mississippi are under your immediate command I have referred him to you with the result that I trust you will make such disposition of the troops as will Enable Col M^cGuirk to otain a Regt with as little delay as possible— [gap] I informed Col M^cGuirk that when a gentleman was authorized to raise a Regiment he could have any unattached company willing to join him, but that I would not order any company to do so. I left the matter to Capt Hunt & have

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a written statement from him dated March 20^th "I prefer joining the regiment to which Capt Maxwell belongs

He was therefore ordered to Cold Water to report to Col Falkner, while there Col M^cGuirk went to see him and carried both him & his company off without the knowledge of Col Falkner & hence the Col ordered him back— [gap] I ordered the Regt organized leaving wit Capt Hunts Company & he came to see me & asked to be put in it stating that he gone off with Col M^cGuirk because he told him he had Eight companies & would [make?] him Lt. Col—That Col M^cGuirk had deceived him about it & he now wanted to go where he had first been ordered—

So far from interfearing with Col M^cGuirk I am [adminished?] permitting him to command two companies when I am satisfied they are all he can get altho I need one more to fill up the Blythe Battalion, and at his own request I made a conditional order allowing him to add both his companies to that battalion if sees fit, & he was to do so if he thought he could be elected Col— [gap] I have therefore been very much astonished to find that Col M^cGuirk has complained of any interference on my part with his attempt to organize a Regiment

Respectfully Your obt Svt

Jas. R. Chalmers
Brig^d. Gen^l. Com^d—

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Brig. Genl. Chalmers
24 Apl 1863

About Col M^cGuirks regiment