Confederate Defense Correspondence Concerning Service

Confederate Defense Correspondence Concerning Service to the State of Alabama, 1860-1861

Lot of 17 letters and documents concerning the defense of the State of Alabama in the wake of the Civil War, October 1860-September 1861. Much of the correspondence is addressed to Governor Andrew B. Moore (1807-1873) and sent by individuals or small, independent companies offering their services to the state. Items of particular interest include:

Smith, Edward W. ALS, 3pp, 7.875 x 12.5 in. October 3, 1860. Addressed to the “Adjutant General of Alabama.” Captain Smith writes concerning the Livingston Rifles, a local company under his command: “In accordance with the requisitions of the military law of the last Legislature organizing military companies for the state, I make the following report. . . Since its formation it has under the requisitions of the state law drilled and exercised in the school of the soldier and company. . . and is in my opinion efficiently prepared in these respects for actual service. The company are in possession of 40 good Mississippi Rifles." Smith supplies a regimental roster and notes that the “disposition to enlist in the military company under my command is increasing. The general wish of the company is to be called into action.”

Dawson, N.H.R. Two ALsS, each 1p, the first 7.75 x 9.75 in. and the second 5 x 7.875 in., Selma, AL. His first letter, addressed to Colonel G. G. Littler and written on January 19, 1861, concerns the raising of the Magnolia Cadets, 22nd Alabama Militia Regiment (later Co. C., 4th Alabama Infantry) and Dawson's appointment as captain of the command. He also requests commissions for his recently organized staff and is “anxious to know how arms are to be obtained,” in hopes that they may soon advance to Fort Morgan. In his second letter, dated April 12, 1861, Dawson writes to Governor Moore offering the services of the Magnolia Cadets to the state, declaring that he has been “authorized. . . to tender their services to you, for twelve months. . .”

Anonymous, ALS, “A member of the Company.” 1p, 5 x 7.75 in., “New Berne, Ala.” March 6, 1861. Addressed to Governor Moore. Letter offers the service of the enthusiastic Newbern Guards along the coast of Florida: “Quite a member of our company (New Berne Guards) appear very anxious to do active service for our state, so much so as to fabricate orders, purporting to be from you to repair [?] to the Coast of Florida. If you need such troops, either upon the Coast of Fla. Or elsewhere many of us would be glad you would not neglect our little squad. We drill both upon horse and foot.”

Jones, Allen C. (1811-1894). Lieutenant Colonel, 5th Alabama Volunteers. ALS as captain in command of the Greensboro Light Artillery, “A.B. Jones,” 1p, 8 x 9.75 in., “Greensboro, Ala.” April 13, 1861. Addressed to Governor Moore. Offers the Greensboro Light Artillery Guards “for service in the Army of the Confederate States.” In the postscript, Jones asks if Moore "could. . . supply us with a half or full battery of guns.”

Clarke, Richard H. Confederate captain. ALS, 1p, 8.25 x 8.25 in. April 20, 1861. Letter contains certification of recently selected officers of the Cane Brake Rifle Guards, including Clarke as captain, as well as "Thos. K. Coleman, 1st Lieut.; Legh R. Terrell, 2nd [Lieut.]; David W. Pitts, 3rd [Lieut.].” Clarke was commissioned as a second lieutenant into the 1st Alabama Light Artillery. Coleman would later muster into Co. D, 4th Alabama Infantry and rise to the rank of major before dying at the Battle of Chickamauga, September 19, 1863. Terrell, too, was killed in battle as a lieutenant colonel with the 4th Alabama Infantry at Darbytown Road, October 10, 1864.

Royston, Young Lea (ca 1819-1884). Confederate colonel, 8th Alabama Infantry. ALS as captain, “Y. L. Royston,” 2pp, 7.75 x 10 in., Marion, AL. May 3, 1861. Addressed to Governor Moore. Requesting to know whether his command, now known as the Alabama Rangers, should organize as a cavalry or infantry unit. Politely, Royston begins: “I know you are troubled to death with letters from everybody about war &c and I hate to annoy you.” However, he is eager to learn if he will be successful in obtaining horses for his company, writing earnestly, “I have been raising my company, with the call [?] of horses, if horses are not to be in the fight if we can be called an infantry, please when you order me, or wish us to go as Infantry to write us, saying if we are in [?] in wishing to fight for our country we will not stand on form or the way. . . I have raised my company talking horses all the time (about 40 have been given to us) and there may be some who would need a little sparring. I write this in a feverish anxiety to let no chances slip to get in, as mine is the oldest organization in the county, and tendering the first service, with the exception of the Cane brake Guards, I say unequivocally this is so. I do not doubt for a moment that my cavalry would promptly respond, and go in any way that would soon carry them to the war. My feet burn me here, and I feel like a laggard at home and I wish to have a call if we should go as Infantry that will push them right on there. If we are called a Cavalry, the notice is all sufficient."

Smith, B. F. ALS, 2pp, 5 x 8 in., “Central Institute, Ala.” July 17, 1861. Addressed to Governor Moore. A doctor from Alabama, Smith requests arms for a company of men in order to “repel invasion.” Docketing on verso indicates that their services were not needed (“Ans. Don’t need Co for defense of state. Cant let have arms.”) In the letter, Smith shares that there are "about seventy able bodied men in this vicinity who are not likely to be called on to engage in the present war unless the state is invaded. . .referr[ing] to some over the age of 45 [who] are anxious to place themselves at your disposal in case of need and can be officered by men active and intelligent. They wish to know if organized and placed at your disposal for state service, if arms can be furnished.”

Christian, Robert. ALS, 3pp, 5 x 8 in., “Union Town.” August 6, 1861. Addressed to Governor Moore. Christian writes to inquire after arming his newly formed volunteer company with carbines. Though this was his original plan, he seems to have reconsidered his options: “It has occurred to me that since we captured so large a stand of Arms at Manassas, perhaps the same necessity does not exist for calling in all of the state arms.”

Allen, R.B. ALS, 1p, 7.75 x 9.25 in., “Havana, Ala.” September 15, 1861. Addressed to Governor Moore. Allen informs the governor that a company of married men from Havana can be raised for service exclusively within state's borders: “We propose to raise a company in this place provided you will accept to our services any where in the state & also furnish us with arms. . . The company will be composed of married men, all of whose business is such that they cannot leave the State, but are willing to do Services in the State. . . provided you . . .furnish us with arms. Please let me hear from you immediately."

Nelson, A.J. ALS, 1p, 6.25 x 7.5 in., Greensboro, AL. May 20, 1861. Addressed to Governor Moore. In the letter, Lieutenant Nelson requests arms for the command he has raised, although docketing indicates that the arms cannot be supplied. Nelson writes: "Formed and organized under the name and style of The ‘Mounted Guards’ in the county of Greene,” where “it must be obvious. . . that such a company is needed. . . therefore we would respectfully request your honor to issue to this company such arms as are used in this arm of the service.” Verso succinctly inscribed with, “Ansd – cant furnish arms.”
Condition Report: Most with creasing, brittleness, toning, soiling, and wear to edges and corners. Some documents with greater areas wear and tear, resulting in losses and non-archival repairs. Please refer to digital images for conditions of specific documents.