Letter from William M. Pollan to Mississippi Governor William L. Sharkey; July 18, 1865

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Letter from William M. Pollan to Mississippi Governor William L. Sharkey; July 18, 1865

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People

McDowell, Ira Pollan, William M.Sharkey, M. C.Sharkey, William Lewis, 1798-1873

Events

Appointment to office Conventions Military Events--Military discharge Military Events--Military elections Military Events--Recruiting and enlistment Political elections Political elections--Election of 1865 Secession Taxation

Military Units

Confederate States of America. Army Under Review Under Review--Brigades United States. Army

Organizations

Banks Banks--Bank of United States (New York, N.Y.)United States. Army--Commissariat

Occupations

Clerks Judges Lawyers Probate law and practice

Places

Choctaw County (Miss.)Greensboro (Miss.)Memphis (Tenn.)Webster County (Miss.)

Social Identifiers

Impoverished people Military Status--Military families Secessionists Unionists (United States Civil War)

Vital Statistics

Death

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[seal]

G7 Greensboro Miss July 18^th 1865

To his excellency William L Sharkey
Provisional Governor of the State of Mississippi

Dear old friend pardon me for the familiar style in which I write this letter to you

I have not forgotten the Struggles we have had with rule or ruin Democracy from 1844 to the present time and at last we have a national Bank and all our favorite measures to wit internal improvement by the General Government Protection tariff &c have prevailed to a great extent and Secession and rebelion are complete-ly whiped out and I trust will never Show their Hydra heads again on the American Continent

I have been in The United States army from December 1863 and acting 1^st Lieutenant and Commissary of the 1^st Miss ^NMounted Rifle Regiment in the 16^th Army Corps and was discharged in Memphis Just in time to reach home on the 14^th day of this month and on Monday the 17^th there was a large Union meeting was held in Greensboro for the purpose of nominating

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candidates to run for the the Convention at the Election coming on the 7^th of August 1865 in persuance of your much esteemed and applauded Proclamation

On that Occasion I delivered ~~and~~ an address which apparently gave great Satisfaction to the Union men and no offense to the Secessionists

These unconditional union men were nominated for the Convention and they are all men of Ability and high Standing in the County and no doubt will be elected by a large majority there is no opposition ticket as yet

There were union men nominated for various other offices all good Selections

Among other things then and there done I was agreed upon unanimously as the appointee for Probate Judge until one can be elected by the people and I have agreed to Serve them in case you give me the appointment I am new as I always have been a union man and have worked for the union from my youth until the present time and intend to do So until the end of my days—

I am no doubt the chice of the people by ^a^ large majority which you will perceive by examination of the inclosed Petition many others could have been oblained but those who have already Signed Consti-

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-tute a very decided majority af the voting Population of the County

I have Since my return from the army been appointed by the Union men to manage and arange the militia into Squads or Companies for Patrol duty in the County So as to prevent or avoid the necessity of having Federal Troops Quartered in our midst. because we are unable to feed or Support them. we are scarcely able to Support ourselves and families.

This end I Send inclosed to your excellency Certified lists prepared by me ^of^ Several Companies already organized with officers already elected you will please commission them immediately and forward the Commissions to me or Ira ^MM^c Dowell the Probate clerk at Greensboro with the Civil appointments prayed for in the accompanying Petition or remonstrance on my return from the Union army I learned that ~~M^c~~ M. C. Sharkey died Some time Since it pained me very much because he aided me all he could against Secession and rebelion until he was compeled to go into the Rebel army at which time I went through the lines and Joined the Federal army he was no doubt a martyr for the Union Cause as soon as I get the other companies papers ready I will forward them you if there Shall hereafter be any thing here which you may wish demand

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well done if you will confide it to me I will Execute it instanter and no mistake I am proud the County (Choctaw) is now as it has been Since the commencement of the war the Banner Union County in the State under my direction and management and I am determined that it Shall Continue So you will please pardon the great haste and bad Style in which this letter is written as I had but a very fu minutes in which to write it and no time to review but it scarcely necessary for a lawyer to appologize for writing a bad hand as it is a very Common Complaint I am very busy in emanageing matters in my neighborhood So that we Shall be able to live again

you will find me at all times ready to back you in your administration because your Policy is and hereafter Shall be my Policy becuse I have all Confidence in your wisdom and ability to fill the position you hold and so richly deserve your

Humble Sevant most Respectfully

W^m,, M,, Pollan atty,