Letter from General Richard Taylor to Mississippi Governor Charles Clark; September 26, 1864

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Letter from General Richard Taylor to Mississippi Governor Charles Clark; September 26, 1864

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People

Clark, Charles, 1811-1877 Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889 Forrest, Nathan Bedford, 1821-1877 Hood, Unknown Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891 Taylor, Richard, 1826-1879

Events

Crime Crime--Threat Military Events--Capitulations, Military Military Events--Raid Military Events--Recruiting and enlistment

Military Units

Confederate States of America. Army Confederate States of America. Army. Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana Under Review United States. Army

Organizations

Confederate States of America--Commissary Confederate States of America--Quartermaster Headquarters, Military Railroad Telegraph Company

Places

Alabama Athens (Ala.)Macon (Miss.)Montgomery (Ala.)Opelika (Ala.)Selma (Ala.)West Point (Miss.)

Vital Statistics

Death Wounds and injuries

Page 1

HdQrs. Dept Ala. Miss &E. La
Selma, Ala. Sept 26^th 1864

My dear Governor

I take pleasure in sending you the following copy of a dispatch just recd. from Genl. Forrest.

"Athens Ala. 24^th Sept. 64

"L^t Genl. Taylor.

"My forces captured this place this morning with thirteen hundred officers and men, fifty wagons and ambulances, five hundred Horses, two trains of cars loaded with Quarter Master and Commissary supplies, with a large quantity of small arms, & two pieces of artillery. My loss five killed, twenty five wounded. My troops in fine spirits."

(Signed) N. B. Forrest
Maj Gen^l"

It was my intention to leave here to morrow, to join you, but a dispatch just received from the President requesting me to meet him at Montgomery, or some point in its vicinity, will detain me in this part of the department, for some days longer. As soon as I return, however I will proceed to Mississippi with the purpose of remaining there some time and

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giving my close personal attention to the Military wants of every portion of the state.

In the meantime it is unnecessary for me to urge upon one of your Military Experience the great need of completing as rapidly as possible the organization of your volunteer troops.

With them and such Confederate forces as are now in the state I hope to effect a radi-cal change in the Condition of affairs, and to relieve your people from the harassing raids of the enemy. I am in pressing want of all surplus arms and ordnance stores, you ^can send me^ , over and above those necessary to supply your volunteers, and I beg that you will ~~foreward them to this point~~instruct your ordnance office to turn them over as soon as practicable.

My object in moving the HdQrs of the Department was to be near the theatre of operations in the East. Now, however that Hood has reached the West Point R. R. and covers Opelika, Montgomery and Selma from Sherman's Army, there is nothing in the way to prevent the accomplishment of my ardent wish to devote a thorough visit to Mississippi. Rest assured that I shall spare no personal exertion or leave no stone unturned to relieve the wants of your suffering people.

Hoping to meet you very shortly

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and begging that you will telegraph me if I can be of any service to you in the meantime,

I am, my dear Governor,
Very Respectfully & truly Your friend & servant

R. Taylor
Lieut Genl

Governor Charles Clark
Macon,
Miss.

Page 4

Lt Gen R Taylor
Sept 26. 64