Letter from Captain John L. Neal to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; May 31, 1863

Documents
Letter from Captain John L. Neal to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; May 31, 1863

Document Network
Document Metadata

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

People

Neal, John S.Pettus, John Jones, 1813-1867

Events

Confederate States of America--Draft Criminal Procedure Criminal Procedure--Arrest Legislation. Confederate States of America. Congress Legislation. Confederate States of America. Congress. Impressment Law (1863)Military Events--Impressment Military Events--Impressment. War Material Military Events--Military leaves and furloughs Military Events--Recruiting and enlistment Political Office--Appointment to office

Military Units

Mississippi. Militia Mississippi. Militia. Minute Men Infantry Regiment, 2nd (1862-1863)Mississippi. Militia. Minute Men Infantry Regiment, 2nd (1862-1863). Company A United States. Army

Organizations

Churches

Occupations

Impressing Agents Law Enforcement Law Enforcement--Police

Places

Military training camps Mississippi--Lawrence County. Silver Creek Mississippi--Marion County

Social Identifiers

Military Deserters Military Stragglers

Vital Statistics

Disease and illness

Page 1

Lawrence Co. Miss. May 31st 1863

To his Excellency John J Pettus Gov. & Commander in chief of the State of Miss

Sir I herewith represent to you the progress which I have made in getting my company together for the purpose of being mounted as Soon as I could get the absentees notified I held a meeting of the men present at Silver Creek Church in this county there being 19 Present and finding that there was no Chance of getting the company all togather I Furloughed Those present to meet again on the next monday morning following at the Same place with 3 days Rations I then went into camp and Sent out Squads under the Lieutenants and Succeeded in getting my number up to 28 I Then Wrote out orders to each and all the absentees to meet again on the 30th inst which time I have 32 present and Some few Sick that could not attend have attended closely to Drilling all who have been Present and on yesterday I Drilled about Six hours part of the time on foot as infantry and part on ~~foot~~ horse back as mounted more I can Raise my company to 70 or 80 men by taking in all of the Last draft if you will authorize me to do So and I wish instructions concerning

Capt John S Neal
31 May 1863
no answer attended to

Page 2

the impressing of horses and equipments according to the order I am unable to determine whether I have the power to impress or that officers will be appointed for that purpose I also want written instructions what course I Shall take to get out the remaining absentees I can go into camp and Send out men and catch them but we have no ammunition and there is Some that would run away as quick as chance offered inform me what to do with them I must also Report to you that there is an unusual large number of deserters in this county and I have been informed that in marion county there is more than here and in Some Settlements they are doing Some damage by killing Stock the civil officers here are doing nothing towards arresting any of them they have never to my knowledge taken up one yet There are a few in this County who I think would bear watching and if chance offers make an example of or Desertions will be popular I wish to do my whole duty and I wish others to do So and Sir I pledge my honor if you will furnish me the means and the power I will make Deserters and union men Scarce in this part of the State

Respectfully yours &c

John S Neal Capt Co A
2^nd Reg 3^d Brig M. S. T