Letter from Robert Kells to Mississippi Governor Charles Clark; October 15, 1864

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Letter from Robert Kells to Mississippi Governor Charles Clark; October 15, 1864

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People

Clark, Charles, 1811-1877 Dana, Unknown Gardner, Franklin, 1823-1873 Kells, Robert Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870 Taylor, Richard, 1826-1879

Events

Military Events--Military service exemption

Organizations

Mississippi--State Hospital

Occupations

Conscript Officers Medical Profession Medical Profession--Hospital Employees

Places

Mississippi--Hinds County. Jackson Mississippi--Warren County. Vicksburg

Social Identifiers

Draftees

Page 1

Miss State Lunatic Asylum
Oct 15^th_"/64

Gov Cha^s_" Clark

Dear Sir:—Yours dated 9^th_" inst is before me, and in reply would say, that my letter to You, was only to suggest a policy and to learn if it would meet Your views. So far as I have consulted the Board of Trustees they would Endorse this course, and I did Expect to get their action and forward to you, before any definite action on your part.

As to the Employees here—I have on two different occasions made out discriptive lists, and sworn to them and handed them in to the Enrollinging officer,—and with the action of the Conscript officer, to only Exempt four men. The first time I handed in the discription list, two of the Trustees made aff=idavit to the list and that they were absolutely necessary. It seems to me the Conscript officer is quite incompetent to

Page 2

to Know how many are necessary to carry on this work successfully, and ought not to be allowed to interfere with the usefulness of an Institution like this. I will defy any one to do the work done here with less help. As I stated in my previous letter, the institution has five thousand dollars worth of goods in V,Burg and on yesterday I went to Gen Gardner and requested him to grant me a permit to go with flag truce to the lines and Communicate with Gen Dana as to his purpose as to these goods. He declined doing so by saying that all these cotton transactions had been abrogated and he could not do it.

Would it not be well to get a similar permit from Gen Taylor as was granted by Gen Lee—including a pass for me to go with flag truce at some time & get the goods if possible.

Page 3

I spoke to you about getting 2 bales of Lowells, to clothe the patients, as we did not get the goods referred to & may not get them. I feel it my duty to bring these things to your notice as you are the only person that can give the necessary succor. I find much discouragement and see many troubles ahead—but I am deter=mined ~~that~~ to heed the one and make an honest effort to overcome all the others so far as I have power to do so. Accept my thanks for your renewed tokens of interest & promises of aid in your last. I hope you intend to visit Jackson soon when you might more fully understand our situation by personal observation &c.

I remain with great respect
Yours very truly

Robert Kells