Letter from W. E. Montgomery to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; November 8, 1863

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Letter from W. E. Montgomery to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; November 8, 1863

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People

Batholomew, Unknown Flournoy, L. B.Lewis, Unknown Montgomery, W. E.Pettus, John Jones, 1813-1867

Events

Crime Crime--Arson

Military Units

Mississippi. Militia Mississippi. Militia. Cavalry Battalion, 2nd Mississippi. Militia. Cavalry Battalion, 2nd. Reserves

Organizations

Confederate States of America--War Department Confederate States of America--War Department. Quartermaster Department Military Headquarters Watercraft Watercraft--Allen Collier (Steamer)Watercraft--Eastport (Gunboat)

Places

Arkansas--Desha County Mississippi--Bolivar County Mississippi--Lowndes County. Columbus Mississippi--Madison County. Canton

Social Identifiers

African Americans African Americans--Enslaved People African Americans--Enslaved People. Contraband of War Enslavers Imprisoned people Military Deserters

Vital Statistics

Disease and illness

Page 1

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H^d Qrs Herndin Rangers
Bolivar County Missi Nov 8^th 1863

John J Pettus Comd^r in Chief &c
of Missi State Forces—

on the morning of The 7^th Inst I with 17 men captured the Steamer Allen Collier a Trading Boat heavily laden with Dry goods & produce—taking 33 prisoners, all of whom, on proof that they were peaceful citizens & not in arms against the Confederate States, I re-leased, excepting 5 who belonged on the Gun Boat Eastport—Viz—Bartholomew actg Captain of Gun Boat Eastport & 4 Negroes men—I captured some clothing & $500 in money, the clothing has been distributed to the men—Leiut Lewis (who was the only officer with me) & all the men deserve credit for the gallant manner in which thay Boarded the Boat—Protected as she was by the Gun Boat East-Port, anchored in full view about a mile below, near the opposite shore, had it not been for this fact & the scarsity of men & I should have succeded in saving the cargo—I burned the ^Boat^ & Cargo—valued, at least $100,000

Page 2

The Gun Boat East Port, Threw several shells at us but did no damage—

I have a good many sick men & as you will see from my Last Muster Roll several Deserters, I wish you would have the List of Deserters published as I send out my reports, it might let them know that the company is in existense—

If you wish me to report the value of the clothing captured & distributed I will do so & hold the ^men^ accountable for the same I think it will amount to about $2,000 Shall I send the money out to the Quarter Mas-ter or use it for the Company in purchase of Coms^s & Qr Master Stores & account it for it in that way—(2) of the negro men captured belong to the estate of L B. Flournoy of Desha County Arks—Will ^you^ inform me what you intend to do with them that their owners may know where to claim them—

Very Truly

W. E. Montgomery
Capt. Comdg Herndon Rangers

I have ordered the Prisoners to be delivered to the Genl. Comdg. C. S. Forces in Missi at Canton
W. E. M

Page 3

Capt W. E. Montgomery Report Nov 1863

Bolivar Co. Missi Nov 8 1863

Capt W E Montgomery Comdg State Troops.

Report of his operations, burn-ing of Federal Steamer Allen Collier and Cargo—& & &

John J. J. Pettus Gov &c
State of Missi
Columbus
Missi