The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 7. Page: 851
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C AP. XVII.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.--CONFEDERATE.
HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, WESTERN DEPARTMENT,
Columbus, Ky., January 31, 1862.
His Excellency Gov. IsHAM G. HARRIS:
I send to you and to the Legislature of Tennessee General Cheatham,
for the purpose of placing before you certain facts with regard to the
condition of defenses of that part of the frontier with which I am
charged. Since I have been in command I have not ceased to press
upon the State and Confederate Governments the insufficiency of the
force at my disposal for the service assigned me. These repeated repre-
sentations have been met by occasional spasmodic efforts, which have
fallen far short of our necessities.
I have made use of the force at my command in placing this post in
a condition of strong defense, thereby endeavoring to compensate for
the lack of numbers. But strong as it confessedly is, it will require
troops to hold it, and these troops must be in numbers proportionate to
the force to be brought against it. The enemy regard it as the main
obstacle to their reduction of the Mississippi Valley, and are making
preparations commensurate with the importance of that object. There
need not be any undue solicitude in regard to the ultimate result. I
regard this position in the condition of defense in which it has been
placed as well-nigh impregnable, but we need a strong supporting force
to take care of our center as it should be cared for, and to protect our
flanks. It is entirely within the power of the General Government
and of the States immediately interested to supply this force, and in
numbers sufficient to enable us to defy effectually every assault. I have
fully discussed our wants with General Cheatham, who is perfectly
master of the whole subject, and to whom I beg leave to refer you.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
L. POLK,
Major-General, Commanding.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE, Jackson, Miss., Jan. 31, 1862.
Maj. Gen. A. SIDNEY JOHNSTON, Bowling Greenn:
SIR: I have to-day, in virtue of an act of the Legislature approved
on the 29th instant, issued my proclamation, calling for 10,000 volun-
teers to serve for the term of two years. I trust that it will be promptly
responded to. The act authorizes me to designate the times and places
of rendezvous within the limits of the State.
Owing to the fact that the account between the State of Mississippi
and the Confederate Government remains unadjusted, and that other
resources have been exhausted, I am without the means of subsisting
the troops which may respond to my proclamation.
I desire to know immediately whether you will not furnish provisions
from the time they arrive at the places of rendezvous, of the designa-
tion of which you will be hereafter informed.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, yours,
JOHN J. PETTUS.
BOWLING GREEN, January 31, 1862.
Captain MONSARRAT, Knoxville:
Use every effort to bring together the stragglers from General Crit-
tenden's command, officers and men. Send them to Nashville to report
to Captain Lindsay for orders.
W. W. MACKALL,
Assistant Adjutant-General.851
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The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Additions and Corrections to Series 1, Volume 7. (Pamphlet)
Errata sheets for the Records of the War of the Rebellion include additions and corrections to the text and the index for Series 1, Volume 7.
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United States. War Department. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 7., book, 1882; Washington D.C.. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth154610/m1/857/?q=Army: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.