Letter from Captain W. S. Yerger to Mississippi Governor Charles Clark; March 9, 1865

Documents
Letter from Captain W. S. Yerger to Mississippi Governor Charles Clark; March 9, 1865

Document Network
Document Metadata

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

People

Clark, Charles, 1811-1877 Taylor, Richard, 1826-1879 Woods, R.Yerger, W. S.

Events

Confederate States of America--Draft Military Events--Recruiting and enlistment

Military Units

Confederate States of America. Army Confederate States of America. Army. Cavalry Confederate States of America. Army. Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana Confederate States of America. Army. Mississippi. Cavalry Regiment, 6th Mississippi. Militia Under Review

Organizations

Confederate States of America--War Department Military Headquarters

Occupations

Adjutants

Places

Mississippi--Hinds County. Jackson Mississippi--Lauderdale County. Meridian Mississippi--Noxubee County. Macon

Social Identifiers

Draftees

Page 1

Meridian, Miss.
March 9^th 1865

His Excellency
Gov. Clark.
Macon.

Sir:

The letter written by yourself to Lt. Genl Taylor, in reference to the disposition of the State Troops, was delivered on the 8^th Inst.—

The embodiment of his views upon the subject is contained in his reply, which I forwarded to you yesterday by hand—

You will perceive that he proposes to use his influence with the War Department, to have the troops in question received as Confederate Cavalry, provided a

Page 2

Regiment or Batallion can be organized.

Under the circumstances which exist at present, I do not think a Battalion could be organised from the 6^th Miss Cavalry alone. Had the troops in question been ordered to assem-ble at a more convenient point, (somewhere for instance in the vicinity of Jackson) I am convinced that by consolidation a Battalion of four hundred effective and good men could have been organized at an early day—and this end could be accom-plished yet, if the Confederate authorities would so order.

The reason that no more have assembled at Macon is

Page 3

owing to the fact that most of the men were impressed with the conviction that the order to assemble there was only a ruse for the purpose of ~~conscripting~~ ^conscripting^ them into the Infantry Service—This apprehension, should it prove true, was regarded by them as unjust, inasmuch as they had in good faith enlisted in the State Service. Under all the circumstances it may not appear surprising that so few have reported. I feel assured if the Confederate authorities would permit them to organise at some point better adapted for the service, that a Battalion of good and disciplined troops may be organised—Until further developments I will return to

Page 4

Jackson, there to rejoin the command. One thing, however is manifest—those officers & men who have reported should by no means be suffered to be conscripted—for they have, from the simple and formal fact of reporting at the place appointed, shown that they are capable of making excellent soldiers—In their behalf, in particular, you will permit me to call your attention—trusting that you will use every effort in your power to have equity & justice in the case rendered them. Again renewing to you sentiments of esteem and gratitude

I am Very Yr. Ob. St.

W. S. Yerger
Capt Co R Woods

Page 5

H^d Qrs Dept Ala Miss & E La
Meridian March 15^th/65

The within letter having been submitted at these H^d Qrs its suggestions are respectfully recommended to the consideration of Gov Clark.

For Lt Gen Taylor
[?] [Yurger?]
A. A. Genl