Letter from H. Cassidy to Mississippi Governor Charles Clark; September 12, 1864

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Letter from H. Cassidy to Mississippi Governor Charles Clark; September 12, 1864

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People

Cassedy, H.Clark, Charles, 1811-1877 Leggett, J. N.

Events

Crime Crime--Murder Criminal Procedure Criminal Procedure--Arrest Emancipation and self emancipation Legislation. Mississippi Military Events--Raid Military Events--Recruiting and enlistment

Military Units

Confederate States of America. Army Mississippi. Militia United States. Army

Organizations

Mississippi--Legislature Post offices

Places

Mississippi--Adams County. Natchez Mississippi--Amite County Mississippi--Franklin County Mississippi--Jefferson County Mississippi--Wilkinson County

Social Identifiers

African Americans African Americans--Enslaved people Enslavers Military Status--Military deserters Military Status--Military families

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Death

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[seal]

Franklin Co Sept 12^th 1864

Hon Cha^s Clark Gov^r_" &c

Dear Sir

By the request of Citizens I write of Matters of public Concern, which, they think, Connected with the duties of your Office

Our County before the late Militia act was very much demanded of men—This Sweeping act if all ~~privided~~required to do duty in the field are Called out will Subject the County to Serious dangers—There are a g~~ood~~reat many slaves, as compand to the River Counties, Still left in this County—So close is their proximity to Natchez that most of them secretly harbor the design of escape to that tempting haven of Freedom And the enforcement of the Militia law will leave Some entire neighborhoods stript of Men, and greatly increase the temptation to the Slaves and the danger to the families lift ^at home^ by the Soldiers in the field—There have been good crops made in the County Which are as yet ungathered, and important as is the preservation of the property of the County to its owners, the garnering of the Crops is a consideration affecting the public welfare in Which the Confederacy and States are deeply interested

The alarm natural to this State of things in the County, is increased by a recent occurrence in Amite—In that County some ten days Since some 30 or more slaves mounted on their masters

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horses and Armed with their Guns, (Many of which were taken openly by force) in a body, openly with boldness cheers and shouting proceeded in their way to Natchez—It is true they were arrested by a squad of scouts within some 15 Miles of their destination and most of them Killed—Yet it is better to have the means of detering these attempts than to offer the temptation, even if the final and greatest evil of their Success is prevented at the sacrifice of property attending that affair

The Suggestion which is respectfully offered is that the organization of Companies of Cavalry Which is now going on render the act of the Legislature be continued and encouraged, with the understan-ding, that when Called into active Service they be permitted either to remain in the County or be assigned to duties in its borders in the direction of the enemy near Natchez or the surrounding Counties of Wilkinson and Lefferson

In this way the danger above mentioned Could be averted, the County protected from Small Raids of the enemy, or deserters from this section, Who have committed many depredation in this County from their familiar acquaintance with the Roads and paths so as to escape the vigilence of the regulars Picketts and Scouts

I have not seen the acts of the Legislature nor the general order (in the Subject) of your Excellency

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by Which these Companies of 20, 40, & 60 men are authorized, and Consequently Cannot Say whether, your power by these acts is adequate to the polan presented in the above suggestions

We have no mail and no regular mode of getting the laws, and have Consequently to depend upon very ^casual &^ indiferint means of inform-ation—But I have been informed that Such Companies are authorized to be raised Subject to Call on an emergency—In the mean time to remain at home for drill and the enforcem-ent of the laws—If this is Correct it strikes me that no greater emergency of danger Could be presented than in the direction of Natchez and from the source above pointed out and that it would be legitemate to assign such Companies for duty in the localities I have named—And a suggestion on your part that such would be their destination will greatly tend to Calm the fears of the people and put in the field a much larger force from this County for Such service, than Could otherwise be obtained in any Contingency, without the employment of a force as large numerically in that obtained to force them out—Not wishing further to encroach upon your time I submit these kinds to your better judgment, with the hope

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that you will feel authorized to adopt some plan by means of which the danger to the County can be averted the law executed and the Public Policy of the State Carried out—A line by the bearer would enable me to give your views in this subject to the people, and prevent you from much Annoyance from individuals

Yours Truly

H. Cassedy

Hon Cha^s ClarK Gov^r &c
Macon Miss

By favor of Mr J N Leggett