Civil War and Reconstruction Governors of Alabama

320 Executive Department; Montgomery, Ala. January, 31st. 1863. (Written at Huntsville Ala, dated as above) Hon: C. C. Clay, Sen^r C. S. from Ala. Richmond, Va. My dear Sir, I write in behalf of a Gallant officer - Commander E. Farrand, of the Navy, who has done much for the Confederacy, in the successful defense of James' River, & who is doing much for Alabama, in the active and energetic direction of our river defenses, at Choctaw- & Oven Bluffs, a work which he is carrying-on with unflagging purpose, in the face of many obstacles & hindrances, & this, while engaged in superintending the building of three Gunboats on the Bigbee, one at Montgomery, & one at Selma, as well as two Iron batteries, for the Defense of Mobile. His present grade is, I learn, the same which he held in the U. S. Service, which he was one of the first to leave, &, I have understoood, also, that he would have been promoted to a Captaincy, before this time, but for the act of Congress of 21st April, 1862, which limited the number of Captains, in our Navy, to twelve. To authorize his promotion, of course, an amendment - increasing the number of Captains would be necessary. I think that Virginia would act with Alabama, in doing justice to an officer, who has rendered the most important servcies to the one, & who is, now, laboring, most earnestly, for the protection of the other. It is proper, perhaps, that I should say - I am prompted by no other feeling or motive than a sense of justice to an accomplished & meritorious officer, who, by his gallantry & ability, has contributed, largely to the success of our cause. I have no doubt, as I have already intimated, that the Delegation of Virginia would willingly act with our own, in exerting their joint influence, in obtaining the necessary amendment to the Act referred-to, &, also, in properly presenting the claim of Commander F. to the President, for promotion. The two States are under heavy obligation to him. Had the press of my other engagements permitted, I would have written to each one of our Delegration; as it is, I will thank you to confer with Hon. Mr Yancey - & the Representatives from this State, for the purpose of securing their influence, in behalf of one who is working most zealously, & efficiently, for the safety & welfare of their State. Very truly, (Signed) Jn^o Gill Shorter.

Executive Department; Montgomery, Ala. Feb~ 13th 1863. Lieut. L. Hill, Enrolling Officer, Wetumpka, Ala. Sir, I am informed that you propose to enroll, as a Conscript, Mr L. P. Henderson, Coroner of Autauga Co. Against this action, I protest. Coroners are Executive Officers of the State, & have not been declared liable to Military Duty. Should you think otherwise, I ask you to refer the matter to your Superior Officers, for further instruction. Resp'^y, Y'r ob'^t Ser'^t; (Signed) Jn^o Gill Shorter.

Executive Department; Montgomery, Ala. Feb. 13th, 1863. Thomas Armstrong, Esq^r Sheriff of Henry Co. Sir, Having understood that the parties, under arrest in your County, & in confinement in your jail, express a desire to return to their allegiance, you are, hereby authorized to discharge them, upon their taking the oath of allegiance, & giving a written pledge of honor, to give their support & influence to the execution of the Laws - Confederate & State. It is not the desire of the Government, to punish, where offenses are atoned for; & it is with extreme regret, that I am under the necessity of - even - restraint to secure obedience, & with unfeigned pleasure that I am able to direct the exercise of clemency, where it is consistent with the duties I owe to the State. You will forward your account for jail-fees for payment; & direct the officers in command of the State-Guard, who have assisted in their apprehension, to forward their account, Separately, certified by them, for Expenses incurred, with authority for payment. Very Resp'^y. (Signed) Jn^o Gill Shorter.

Executive Department; Montg'^y, Ala. Feb. 13^th '63. Gen^l D. C. Green, Qr. Mr. Gen^l Mobile; Sir, absence from the Capitol has prevented an earlier reply to your letter of 28th Ult., enclosing estimate of funds, for your Department, for Qr ending 31st March. Accordingly, I hand you, herewith, check on your City Banks, for the sum of $. 64.427.75. Resp'^y, Y'r ob'^t Ser'^t (Signed) Jn^o Gill Shorter; Gov^r of Ala.

321 Executive Department; Montgomery, Ala. Feb. 13th, 1863. Thomas Armstrong, Esq^r Sheriff of Henry Co. Sir; Col. James H. Clanton has authority to receive into his Command, all Conscripts, in your County: You will, therefore, offer free, & full pardon to any parties who have been engaged in resistance to the Laws, who will Volunteer with Col Clanton; who are within the ages liable to Military duty, & subject under the call of the President. To all who are over that age, you will offer a free pardon, upon their taking the oath of allegiance, & signing a written pledge of honor to give their support & influence to the Execution of the laws. You will please communicate this order to the Col of the 77th Regiment, & the Capts. of the State Guards, and give it a general circulation in the dis-affected region. Very Resp'^y, (Signed) Jn^o Gill Shorter.

Executive Department; Montgomery, Ala. Feb: 13th, 1863. Col. L. C. Garland, Univ. of Ala. Sir; Yours of the 7th inst is received. I have, to-day written Hon. R. Jemison jr. so to arrange matters with Mr Foster, as to provide for the fullfillment of his contract for the Cadets of the University, & presume there will be no difficulty in so-doing. Resp'^y, Y'r ob'^t Ser'^t (signed) Jn^o Gill Shorter.

Executive Department; Montgomery, Ala. Feb. 13th, 1863. Hon. R. Jemison, jr. Tuscaloosa. Sir; I returned, a few days since, from my visit to North Alabama, & to the army in Tennessee, very much pleased with my trip, & with the general condition of affairs. I enclose the permit - or certificate asked for, by Mess^r Leach & Avery, which, I hope, may reach them in time. With respect to the Salt, I am a little at a loss, though your suggestion seems a proper one. The supply for Pickens, Fayette, & Marion will be shipped by the river, so long as it is up: and for the last two Counties, Gen. Green will ship to Columbus, Miss. I think it will be best to put the price at $. 5~ per bushel, & furnish the County Court what it may need of it; reserving the proportions due to Walker & Winston Counties They will need it after awhile, & the article will continue to be scarce, as private works, in Clarke are being suspended, & the State-Works in Clarke will not yield any thing like an adequate supply. I am pleased to inform you, that, upon enquiry, I found our troops were better supplied by the War Department, with shoes & clothing than I had supposed. The main body of the armies - every-where - are well-clad, & in fine health & spirits. Our Alabama Regiments, which were reported suffering, have been supplied, on application to our assistant Qr. Mr at Richmond, or in this City. I do not believe, now, that there will be any further suffering, if the officers will take the pains to make timely provisions for their men. The Secretary of War advised me that he would pay $. 7^c per pair, for Shoes, but we have, not yet, turned any over to him, as they have applied for by Troops, as fast - or nearly so - as we received a supply. Besides, the State cannot save any thing, now, at that price. The Government has a large quantity of leather, besides hides, now in tanneries. The Qr. Mr. at Huntsville but a short time since, sent down, to Georgia Factories, a very heavy shipment of leather, for manufacture, sufficient to make, he informed me, 350.000 pair of Shoes. The leather was obtained in N. Ala. & Tennessee. I have read your letter to Gen. Goldthwaite, & see the difficulties which you have to encounter, in making impressments. I have, to-day, a letter from Mr Foster, dated 9th inst. of which I enclose you a copy. If he will contract for the delivery of 1000 pair of shoes, at-not exceeding $7^c per pair - & lower, if possible - I would advise releasing his establishment ^from impressment^; otherwise - we want the leather. We want upper-leather, more than Sole-leather, & for the Penitentiary hands. If Mr Foster declines to furnish evidence of cost, he will only aggravate the matter, & force the settlement here, where such proof will be required before payment. Dr Garland encloses me a written notice from Mr Foster of which, I send you a copy - that, if the impressment is made, he cannot furnish the Shoes for the Cadets. Please guard this point, & so arrange matters, as not to interfere with the Contract for the University. I enclose letter to Secretary of War, favor of Capt. Storrs, as requested. Very truly Yours, (Signed) Jn^o Gill Shorter.

322 Executive Department; Montgomery, Ala. Feb^y 14th, 1863. Maj. W. G. Swanson, Head-Quarters, Camp-Watts Sir, Your letter of the 12th, was received by the mail yesterday. The Regiment or Legion being raised by Col. Clanton, is under authority of the War-Department, & for Confederate service. The Troops are not mustered-in for State-service, & I have no control over them. On my application, the Secretary of War directed that Col. Clanton might muster in Conscripts from Pike, Barbour, Henry, Dale, Coffee & Covington. Capt. M^cWhorter has received no orders from me, & I presume is raising a Company, for Col. Clanton's Command. I have no authority to interfere. Gen. Buckner proposes to furnish Col. Clanton with a battery of 4 guns, &, I suppose, it is to man these guns, that Capt. M^cWhorter is raising his men, but I am not advised as to how or where he is doing it. I think your officers should go-on with the enrollment in the So. Eastern Counties, & hold the men for Col. Clanton's Command - all who do not volunteer to join him at once - His command is to occupy West Florida, & protect the Coast against invasion. As to Maj Amarine's battalion, I am not able to explain its exact position. My information leads me to believe, that it was raised, orginally for the Army in Mississippi; but, through the arrangement of Gen. Buckner, has been turned-over to Col. Clanton. I issued 300 rifles, to the Battalion, a few days since, on application of Col. Clanton, who informed me that the Battalion had been ordered to report to him. He went down to Greenville, yesterday, to muster them into service. I suppose the proceedings are all regular - & under proper authority. Respectfully, Your ob'^t Ser'^t (Signed) Jn^o Gill Shorter:

Executive Department; Montgomery, Ala. Feb. 14th, 1863. Gen. D. C. Green, Qr. Mr. Gen: Mobile Sir, Yours of the 11th inst, is received. Ship the 6 barrels, for Capt. Nelson Fennell to some house at Montevallo, where he will send for it, on arrival. Have me notified when it leaves Selma, so that I can telegraph Capt. F. at Decatur. Pay all charges to Montevallo, and add them to the cost - reported by you, of $. 6[?]^{58 1/2}/" per bushel, & report a/c of cost & charges to me, & I will remit the same to your department.

Ship, to Mr R. B. Kyle, Salt-Agent at Gadsden, Cherokee Co. 60 Barrels. Forward invoice & charges, & direct him to sell, at cost & charges, & ^send^ to the 4 counties of Calhoun, St. Clair, Cherokee, & De Kalb, 40 of them; & to forward 20 of them to Gen. S. K. Rayburn, agent at Guntersville, for Blount & Marshall, to be sold at cost, & charges. Rayburn will report to Kyle, & Kyle will report to you

Ship to Hon. P. Morgan at Montevallo, Distribute balance - say 234 Bbls, under general orders. Resp'^y, Y'r ob'^t Ser'^t (Signed) Jn^o Gill Shorter; Gov^r of Ala. [left margin] ind'^d to here.

Executive Department; Montgomery, Feb. 14th 1863. Hon. Enoch Aldridge, Brookville, Ala. Dear Sir; I am, to day, in rec't of your letter of the 11th inst., & regret to hear that no Salt had yet reached your county. Before leaving North Alabama, I heard that Gen. Rayburn had rec'^d two Car-loads - of 300 bushels each, for the Counties of Blount and Marshall. I hope, to-day, to ship, immediately, 60 Bblls Louis^a Rock Salt to Mr Kyle, Saltagent at Gadsden, with instructions to him to distribute 40 barrels to the counties of Calhoun, St. Clair, Cherokee, & De Kalb, & to forward 20 barrels to Gen^l Rayburn, for the counties of Blount & Marshall. There will be 10 barrels for each County, more than the number of Lbs you asked for. I hope you will get Gen. Rayburn to order the Salt for your County, to be delivered to you, for Sale & distribution, at costs & charges, & that it may reach Gadsden, at an early day. Accept my thanks for the assurances you have given my fellow-citizens, in Blount, that I was doing my best, to have them supplied with Salt., This is, every word true. Could I have gone, & moved on the Rail Road lines, in person, I might have had more accomplished, But, with the unusual burdens, & variety of responsible duties, imposed upon the Executive, calling for constant & daily attention, here, this was, simply, impossible. You know, I recommended to the Legislature to put this matter of Salt-supply in the hands of some one competent person, who could give it all his time & energies - but it was not done. I will not relax my efforts, however, & shall continue to do all in my power to furnish the people with salt. Truly, Yrs, (signed) Jn^o Gill Shorter.

323 Executive Department; Montgomery, Ala. Feb. 16th, 1863. Col. Wm Seawell, Greenville, Ala. Sir, I avail myself of the first opportunity to reply to your letter of the 10th inst. The impressment-law - like Tax-laws, cannot be enforced with perfect equality. The State-agents, in your County & others, protested, vehemently, against the exemption I gave you, & I concieved it my duty to withdraw it. These complaints & controversies are of daily occurrence, & give me great difficulty. It is impossible for me to determine, with the same correctness, the propriwety of assessments in the various counties, as the Impressment-agents can, who are on the spot, & know the people of their respective Counties. Besides, I must not, violently, disturb their action - or dis-organization will follow. Resp'^y, Y'r ob'^t Ser'^t, (Signed) Jn^o Gill Shorter.

Executive Department; Montgomery, Ala. Feb. 16th, 1863. Col. James E. Saunders, Courtland, Ala. Sir, I have the pleaure to acknowledge receipt of your esteemed favor of 2^d inst. It was a source of profound regret that I could not visit Courtland, Tuscumbia, & Florence during my stay in N. Ala. When I left the Capital, it was my purpose to visit all these localities, but on arrival at Decatur, I found it impracticable to do so, & return to my duties here, within the time I could be absent. I have been home, now, one week, &, with all my might, I have been unable to catch-up with the heavy correspondence on file.

I enclose you a copy of my Proclamation of December, recommending the organization of State-guards for local defense. As the Legislature, unfortunately, adjourned, without any amendment of our Militia organization, I believed something might be done by this plan. If the Enemy make no invasion upon the State the inconvenience will be trifling; while, on the other hand, if we should be again subjected to his hateful presence, the Home-Guards will be the only available means left us to annoy & check his robberies & depredations. I authorised Capt. Fennell to organize another Company, & directed Col. Arthur C. Beard of Marshall _ My Aid-de-Camp - to visit all the Counties in the Valley of the Tennessee; & urge the people to form Companies, Battalions, & Regiments, if enough men could be obtained. I should be happy to have your valuable approval, & co-operation in this movement; and the aid of Mr Foster, whose services I should be glad to obtain, in the event a Regiment can be raised in the Counties contiguous to Lawrence. If only a battalion is organized, then Capt. Fennell will expect the appointment of Major, on account of past services. Col. Chadick, of Huntsville will expect a field appointment to any Battalion or Regiment raised above you. But if two Regiments can be raised, I can easily assign a command to Mr Foster, & w^d be pleased to do so. I hope, when you see Capt. Fennell, Col. Beard Colonel Chadick, & Col. Nick Davis, that you will ask them to exhibit to you my letters of instruction, so that you will fully understand the entire programme

After leaving Huntsville, I visited the army at Tullahoma, & was much gratified at the condition of affairs, & am very hopeful that the army will be able to hold its position. Upon the whole, the prospect ahead of us is cheering. We are growing stronger every day, & the enemy is growing weaker. I need not particularize. I believe the God of Providence is with us, &, that, in his own good time, he will give us the Victory With high, personal esteem, I am, resp'^y, Y'r ob'^t Ser'^t (Signed) Jn^o Gill Shorter.

Executive Department; Montg'^y Ala. Feb. 16^th '63 Hon James A. Seddon, Sec^y of War, Rich^d Va. Sir, I respectfully, ask your consideration of the enclosed application of Mrs Sarah Bryan, for the exemption of her son, Joseph H. Bryan, who had, previously obtained a substitute, & is now called upon for military service. As the age of the substitute is not mentioned, it may be, reasonably, apprehended that the substitute is, now, liable to duty, & that, in consequence, Mr Bryan is liable to duty. But I would, especially, call your attention to the afflicted condition of Mrs. Bryan's family, & the peculiar hardships of her situtation, if her son is taken into service, Very Resp'^y, Y'r ob'^t Ser'^t (Signed) Jn^o Gill Shorter.

324 Executive Department; Montgomery, Ala. Feb. 16th, 1863. Gen. D. C. Green, Qr. Mr. Gen. Mobile. Sir; In the multiplicity of work, I had overlooked your letter to me of Jan. 21^st, which came to hand during my visit to N. Ala. I thank you for your suggestions about Saltdistribution. They are heartily approved, & indorsed. I wish it were so, that I could put the whole matter of Salt-distribution, in N. Ala. from Va. under your control, also. But I don't see how it can be done, under these circumstances. The truth is, the Legislature made a great blunder, in not appointing a Commission for the State, with full powers to manage for the Saltsupply, for the N. E. Counties, because they are suffering badly, & their supply is coming in very slowing from Virginia. I wish you would also send 10 Bblls to Gen. J. G. L. Huey, for Talladega Co, if you have not shipped it all, & can do so conveniently. I understand Mr M^cGehee is still behind with deliveries, to complete his engagements for Commissary-stores and labor. This will account for his continued shipments. He is now short of Workmen, & much perplexed in his efforts to obtain an addiitonal supply I expect him up shortly, & will confer, fully, on all matters touching the State-Saltworks, The prospect, there, is not satisfactory, & I hope to be able to improve matters. Resp'^y, Y'r ob'^t Ser'^t. (Signed) Jn^o Gill Shorter.

Executive Department; Montgomery, Ala. Feb. 16th, 1863. Col, L. C. Garland, Sup^t Comm^t Corps of Cadets, Univ. Ala. Sir; I have been informed that some apprehension exists, in relation to the conscription of members of the Ala. Corps of Cadets, Upon this matter, I desire to inform you, that Cadets in the Military academies of the States, are not being enrolled, so far as my information extends, & I do not suppose that the Secretary of War will direct their enrollment. I do not know the nature of these organizations in other states; but the Corps of Cadets, at the University of Alabama, is an organized Military body, subject to he command of the Executive at any moment, & the most efficient, in its equipments & drill, of any other in the state; & it is an organization, which, it my purpose to preserve, in its integrity, for the use of the State. You have been, heretofore, notifed that the State would not permit the enrolling officers of the Confederate States to take them from their post. This order I, hereby, renew, & command that the same be enforced, if it should be found necessary, by your military power. This result, however, I am persuaded, will be wholly unnecessary. Should any assumption of powers of enrollment by Conscript officers, be notified to you, please communicate the same to this Depa^r^tment, to be, by me, reported to the Secretary of War. If, hereafter, the exigencies of the public service should induce me to agree that any of the Corps may enter the Confederate Service, I will make such arrangements, as shall secure them the right of Volunteering into organizations of their own choice. They shall not be conscripted. You will read this official letter to the Corps. Resp'^y, Y'r ob'^t Ser'^t (Signed) Jn^o Gill Shorter.

Executive Department; Montgomery, Ala. Feb. 17th, 1863. Hon. Jn^o T. Heflin, Talladega; Sir: Your interesting letters of the 28th & 30^th Ult., came to hand, during my absence, on a visit to N. Ala, & the army in Tennessee. I thank you for the information contained in your letters, & for the patriotic determination expressed, to uphold & enforce the laws, with fidelity, within your jurisdiction. The purpose, on your part, the State had every assurance, would be accomplished, relying for its conviction, on that high sense of official duty, & that warm devotion to the Country, which have characterised you, in the past. I will sustain & uphold the bench, in its noble & necessary work, by all the means, moral & physical at my command. The Confederate States' district attorney is now absent from the State, on a visit to So. Caro. I will endeavour to notify him of y'r suggestion, & extend your invitation to him to attend your Court, in Randolph Co. & will write Gen. Buckner, to allow the Cavalry Companies to remain, as you request. Resp'^y, & truly, Y'rs (Signed) Jn^o Gill Shorter.

325

Executive Department, Montgomery, Ala. Oct. 17th 1863.

Genl. Duff C. Green; Qr. Mr. Gen. of Ala. Mobile; The Hon. R. A. Slough, Mayor of the city of Mobile, having reported that under the act of the Legislature of the State of Alabama entitled "an act to enroll the Creoles of Mobile," a Company of said Creoles has been formed & organised, & asked that they be furnished by the State with arms &c. You will fill the requisition of His Honr. the Mayor, for arms & accoutrements to such extent as is consistent with prior demands & requisitions. (Signed) Jno. Gill Shorter, Govr. of Ala.

Executive Department Montgomery Ala. Feb 17th 1863.

Hon. R. A. Slough, Mayor of the City of Mobile; Sir: Your letter of 13th Inst., has remained thus long unanswered, in consequence of my absence in N. Ala. & the press of public business since my return; I have now the pleasure to forward an order on the Quarter-Mr. Gen. to fill your requisition for arms, &c. for the Company of Creoles of Mobile. Very Resp'y. Yr ob't Ser't. (signed) Jno. Gill Shorter, Govr. of Ala.

Executve Department; Montgomery, Ala. Feb 17th 1863.

Hon. Wylie W. Mason, Tuskegee, Ala. Dear Sir; I enclose you, herein, a copy of a letter, just received from Messr. Stewart, Buchanan, & Co. of Saltville, Va. Until I hear from you, in explanation of the charges made, I am at a loss how to reply to their letter. Your early attention is invited to this communication.

Respectfully, Your obt. Ser't. (Signed) Jno. Gill Shorter.

Executive Department; Montgomery, Ala. Feb 17th, 1863.

Hon. James T. Boyce, Greenville, S.C.; Sir, Your esteemed favor of the 11th inst. is received, with the printed documents mentioned in your letter, for which accept my thanks. The action taken by the Alabama Legislature, upon the guarantee of the Confederate Debt, was initiative, merely. The General Assembly, when it again convenes, will doubtless, concur in whatever plan promised to be the most acceptable to the States & to Secure harmonious co-operation.

Resp'y. Yr Obt't. Ser't. (Signed) Jno. Gill Shorter.

Executive Department;

Montgomery, Ala. Feb. 17th 1863.

His Excell'y M. S. Bonham, Govr of South Carolina. Sir; I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your Communication of the 9th inst. enclosing a copy of "An Act to provide for a guarantee, by the State, of the Bonds of the Confederate States," passed by the Legislature of South Carolina, together with a copy of the "Resolution" adopted by the Genl. Assembly. The Legislature of this State are not now in Session. When again convened, I will communicate, for their consideration, the action of the General Assembly of So. Carolina, on the important matter involved. I am, Sir, very resp'y Y'r obt Ser't.

(Signed) Jno. Gill shorter.

Executive Deprtment. Montgomery, Ala. Feby 25th 1863.

His Enc'y T. B. Vance, Govr of N. Carolina, Raleigh; Sir, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 13th inst. & to assure you, that, well-appreciating the tried loyalty of the people, & of the Legislature of the patriotic State of North Carolina, the Slanderous reports alluded to in the Resolutions abated no part of the Confidence of the people, or of the Executive of Alabama, in her loyalty to the Common Cause.

Assuring you of the determination of Alabama to stand or fall with her Sister States, in this struggle for Constitutional rights & independence,

I remain,

Your obedient Servant,

(Signed) Jno. Gill Shorter, Govr. of Ala

326 Executive Department; Montgomery, Ala. Feb 25th, 1863. Hon. James A. Seddon, Sec'^y of War, Richmond. Sir, I respectfully, refer to your consideration, the enclosed application of Mrs Margaret Patterson, for the discharge of her son - Corporal Samuel Patterson, Co. B. 13th Ala. Vol. Reg't, who - enlisted, under the age of eighteen years, without her consent. Very Resp'^y, Y'r ob'^t Ser'^t (Signed) Jn^o Gill Shorter. Gov^r of Ala.

Executive Department; Montgomery, Ala. Feb. 26th, 1863 Col. L. C. Garland, Comm^t, &C. Univ. Ala. Dear Sir, Yours of 17th, & one enclosing the application of certain Cadets for acceptance of resignation, found me too unwell for attention to business, & to-day, I have made my first visit to the Capitol for more than a week. While it may be expedient & allowable to accept these tenders of resignation, I cannot approve the action of these Young gentlemen, evidencing, as it does, a restlessness - & an unsettled purpose, which, though natural to Youth, is incompatible with the attainment of a complete education - with the true spirit of Military discipline - & with the prospect of success, in any of the high aims of Life. Whatever may have been the present impelling motive to this course, all the inducements which can now offer, should have been considered at the outset, and were, no doubt, presented to the minds of the Cadets. If any new emergency had arisen, I could, readily have excused - or palliated the departure from the strict line of subordination, in view of new inducements presenting themselves to the young & undisciplined mind. But such is not the case, nor do the authorities of the Confederacy ask this Sacrifice at their hands. And while this spirit of impatience may be natural at their time of life, the very object of their education, & of the Military discipline to which they are subjected, is to to guide & train, as to make it subservient to energy - & conducive to high attainment. While not approving - as you will see by my endorsement - I have allowed the resignation to be tendered, & have accepted them, upon conditions which I deem essential; & also, conducive to their welfare & interests. To turn them adrift - as it were - from the University, without definite aim, as to their future course, would be unjurious to them, &, probably, to the prospects of the entire Corps. I hope that you may be able to conduct this matter to a successful issue, without further injury to the University, & that, Eventually, your energetic & prudent course may be advantageous to its reputation & success, Very resp'^y, Y'r ob'^t Ser'^t (Signed) Jn^o Gill Shorter, Gov^r of Ala. Gov'^s answer to the } application of Cadets, } above alluded-to. }

Executive Department; Montgomery, Ala. Feb 26th, 1863. The within application, - though the action is not approved by the Governor, as the exigencies of the Confederacy, & the necessity for the Services of these Cadets, were as urgent, at the time of their application for admission into the University as they are now; Yet it is allowed, upon condition that the Cadets shall, respectively, nominate the Corps, Company, & Regiment into which they propose to enter; & give their pledge of honor that they will immediately, or, within a reasonable time, attach themselves to such Corps or Company ; that the writen Consent of the parent or Guardian is, previously obtained, & filed wth the Commandant of the Corps. (Signed) Jn^o Gill Shorter, Gov^r & Comm^r in chief

Executive Department; Montgomery, Ala. Feb 27th, 1863 Hon: Jas. A. Seddon, Secretary of War, Richmond: Sir, Early in December last, a Ct-Martial was held, in the case of Col. F. W. Hunter, 2^d Alabama Cavalry, the proceedings of which were transmitted to Rich^d, but the decision has not yet been announced. Col. Hunter is, of course, anxious to know the result, & I trust it may be in your power to relieve his anxiety at an Early Day. Very Resp'^y, Y'r ob'^t Ser'^t (Signed) Jn^o Gill Shorter, Gov^r of Ala.

327

Executive Department; Montgomery, Ala. Feb. 27th 1863

Gen. S. B. Buckner; Commanding, H. Mobile. Sir, For several weeks the following officers of the 2d. Ala. Cavalry, to wit; Captains I. M. Carpenter, of Greene County; Wm. Allen, Montgomery; Carter of Butler; & Earle of Calhoun; have been under arrest, & are said to be at Fort Morgan, without trial. I would respectfully request that action may be taken to ensure these Gentlemen a trial, that their position may be determined, or that they may be returned to their Commands, if you are Satisfied that such a course will be for the interests of the Service.

Very resp'y. Yr ob't Ser't.

(signed) Jno. Gill Shorter, Govr. of Ala.

Executive Department; Montgomery, Ala. Feb 27th 1863

Col. James E. Saunders, Courtland, Ala.

Dear Sir; when in North Alabama, I appointed Mr. H. Speaks of Courtland, Salt Agent for Lawrence Co. & enclosed him all needful instructions, as to the Sale & distribution of the Salt, & also, a bond, for Execution by him, as such Agent. To-day, I have a letter from him - under date of 20th inst., advising that his other engagements will consume all his time, & declining the appointment. The Salt Agent at Saltville, Virginia, has advised me of Shipments of Salt for your County, consigned to Mr Speaks; & as rapidly as transportation can be obtaind, other supplies will go forward. It is important to have, at Courtland, an energetic & proper man to act as Agent. Please engage such an one to accept the appointment, to take charge of the Salt, & distribute it, according to the directions furnished Mr Speaks, who will turn over all the papers, & the Bond which can be written over, & altered, to suit the proper name of the Agent.

Respectfully, Yours, (signed) Jno. Gill Shorter.

Executive Department; Montgomery, Ala. Feb 27th 1863.

Hon. James A. Seddon, Secy of War, Richmond.

Sir; I respectfully refer to your favorable consideration, the enclosed application from Genl. Duff C. Green, Quarter Mr. Gen. of Ala. for the detail of privates Robt. Elford & Jno. Elford, now in detail to manufacture arms for the State of Alabama. Apart from the necessity & propriety of developing the resources - & encouraging the productions of the genius & Industry of our Country, the manufacture of Cotton-Cards - by cheapening the prices & enlarging the means of household industry & economy, will contribute So largely to the production of Cloth that the effect of the competion must result to the advantage of the Government, & the increased comfort & efficiency of the Soldiers. With this view, I respectfully ask that the application be granted.

Yr. ob't. Sert.

(signed) Jno. Gill Shorter.

Executive Department; Montgomert, Ala., Feb. 20th 1863.

Mrs. A. G. McGehee, Prairie-Home. My dear Madam; I have the honor to acknowledge rec't of your note, of the 23d. inst., enclosing eighty dollars, to be applied "to the noble cause of alleviating the sufferings of our brave Alabamians - in Hospitals." As you have entrusted the disbursement of this amount to my own discretion, I have appropriated it for the benefit of the Alabama Hositals at Richd. Va. & shall, by the next mail, enclose the amount to Mrs A. F. Stopkins, advising her of the name of the Contributor, & with full confidence that she will apply it with useful results. I thank you, my dear madam, for this handsome offering upon the altar of suffering humanity. I do not know whether you should be most grateful for the means, with which to bestow your active charities or for that compassionate & benevolent spirit, which prompts you to aid the suffering of others. In both, God has favored you, & he will bless you - fourfold, in the due fullfilment of your errand of the Good Samaritan.

With the highest personal consideration & esteem, I have the honour to be,

Your Sincere friend. (signed) Jno. Gill Shorter

328 Executive Department; Montgomery, Ala. Feb. 28th, 1863. Hon. Lewis Alexander, impressment-Agent; Tuskegee. Sir, Whereas Noah Felton of Macon County has made oath that he was not notified of the demand, alleged to have been made upon him, for two Slaves to work upon the defenses of Mobile; double the number of Slaves - originally required of him; it being recommended by you, that the penalty for said failure - by the said Felton, be remitted: the same is, hereby, remitted, & released, & you will cause two of the Slaves - Seized by the Sheriff of Macon Co. to returned to the said Noah Felton, (Signed) Jn^o Gill Shorter.

Executive Department; Montgomery, Ala. Feb 28th, 1863. Mrs J. H. Kennon, Pres'^t of the Bodka L. A. Society. My dear madam, Serious indispostion, which has confined me to my room for several days, has prevented an earlier reply to your interesting letter of the 19th inst., for which accept my thanks. There are so many ways in which our noble country women are rendering important aid to their Country's cause - all in their own peculiar & selected mode, that I feel no little hesitation in appearing in the papers, as an adviser of any other new & different organization, than those they are accustomed-to, &, in which they have rendered such effective service. Well-directed, & systematized plans & labors - in harmonious co-operation - are to be very highly commended. Existing organizations have, already accomplished much, & I am fearful of hazarding the results which might flow from a abandoment of present organizations, & the adoption of others, unless they were the voluntary movements of the ladies themselves. Under these circumstances, I feel that it would be most graceful - as well as respectful, for me to avoid any official interposition, to control or direct the forms or administration of the Ladies'-aid Societies, deferring to their own wisdom & energy for the successful accomplishment of their noble charities.

Your note - referring to the shipment of a box of Hospital Stores, has been referred to Col. W. R. Pickett, A. Q. M. with instructions to report to you, whether the same has been received. With great respect, I am, Y'r ob'^t Ser'^t (Signed) Jn^o Gill Shorter. [left margin] ind,^d to here Feb 28th

[left margin] Mar. 2^d Executive Department; Montgomery, Ala. Feb. 28th, 1863. T. A. Hamilton, Esq^r Sec'^y Sec'^y Mobile Supply - Association. Sir, Sickness has confined me to my room for over a week past, & hence my inability to reply to your interesting letter of the 20th. I deeply regret the unfortunate condition of the City of Mobile, as to provision supplies, & would, gladly, do any thing in my power to afford relief. You suggest a total suspension of the "extortion act" passed by the Legislature. If this act should be suspended, in its operations, as to the locality of Mobile, it must, likewise be suspended throughout the entire State. The Proviso to the 7th Section, which authorises the Governor to suspend the act - in part, refers to the "articles" mentioned in the Act, & not to any locality where it may be operative. A suspension, therefore, if ordered, would be general, throughout the State. While I am free to confess that I have serious doubts, as to any practical advantages having been secured by the Act, I am, yet unable to see any injury which has resulted from it; certainly, no such detriment as would justify me, at this time, to entirely abrogate the Law, before its influence & effect can be said to have been fairly tested. I don't see how its suspension would relieve the city of Mobile of any one of the grievances of which you complain. Speculation in Corn is prohibited by another distinct Law, which requires all sellers of corn, other than the producer, to take-out a license, & his profits are then limited to 20 per cent. I believe that this was one of best acts passed by the Legislature. Corn-fell, in this

329 market, the very day it passed. Speculation in the interior was checked, &, if this act had not passed, my own opinion is, corn would have been $5 instead of $3.⁵⁰ pr bushel, in Mobile, to-day speculation being cut-off, the producer now sells at the price fixed by the demand supply. There are no intermediaries to collect profits, as it passes to the Consumers. The freights w^d probably, be the same in any event. Large quantities of corn have been sold by planters, from $1 to $1⁵⁰ per bushel. Many thousand bushels have been purchased refused, by the State- qr mr. from 75 cents to $1²⁵ during the Winter; & many thousand bushels refused, which were offered him at $.1⁵⁰. As late as last week, I learn that Corn was delivered on the Rail-Road in Lowndes, at $1⁵⁰ per bushel. If your association would obtain a necessary supply of sacks & send-out a few energetic agents, to visit the planters in the Cane-Brake Counties & the localities where good Crops were made, you could, no doubt, engage a large quantity of corn at reasonable rates, & which could be shipped-forward, as occasion may require. But if you wait for Speculators to gather it up & take it down, you will continue to be imposed-upon, by the present outrageous charges. There is much to be expected from a direct appeal to the planters, & a personal intercourse of reliable men, who can truly represent the suffering condition of the City, & that the operations are being made to supply actual & pressing wants - & not for Speculation. You also, allude to the order of Gen^l Pemberton, prohibiting the export of corn & provisions from Mississippi. This order has, unquestionably, affected your supply, most injuriously. Gen^l Johnson was applied-to for relief, but he declined to interfere. My own opinion is that nothing can be accomplished, in that direction, except by a direct appeal to Gen^l Pemberton himself, to review his action; & I have deemed it proper to address him on the subject. Enclosed, I hand you a copy of the letter which I have to-day written him. I don't know whether it will avail any thing but hope he may modify his order, as I have suggested. Re-assuring you of my desire to assist your association, in any practicable way in my power, I am, Resp'^y Y'r ob'^t Ser'^t (signed) Jn^o Gill Shorter.

Executive Department; Montgomery, Ala. Feb'^y. 28th 1863. Lieut. Gen^l John C. Pemberton, Head-Quarters, Jackson, Miss. Sir: My attention has been drawn to the suffering condition of the City of Mobile, daily growing worse - for want of adequate supplies of provision-stuffs. There are, in that city, a larger number of helpless women & children - families - whose fathers, & protectors are in the Confederate armies, & who are, now, more-or-less, dependent upon public charities for maintenance & support. The Commissary department of the army, at that point, is, also, very much difficulted in securing needful supplies for the troops. Much of all this inconvenience, it is alleged, is the result of an order which you deemed-it needful to issue, preventing the export of provisions from the State of Mississippi; & I have been informed that you were, perhaps partly induced to issue the order - or to refuse its modification upon the ground that I had expressed the opinion to Gen. J. E. Johnson, that there was an abundant supply of grain in Alabama. I remember, in a conversation, had with the Gen. at Tullahoma, during the first week of this month, that he enquired of me, as to the supplies of grain, raised in Ala. during the past year, & that, I endeavoured to explain to him how the drought affected the State, & to describe the sections where the supply in consequence of the drought, was cut-off, & the portions of the State where fair crops had been realized; & I declared the opinion that there was raised, in the State, a sufficient supply for all the wants of our people, if it were properly distributed. It is proper that I should now say that, in submitting my estimate, I did not embrace any calculations as to the probable demand for the City of Mobile, or the army in that vicinity. Our surplus grain is scattered over the State - the far-greater portion of it, away from the lines of rail-road or river-transportation; & the City of Mobile has, for many years, been drawing, very largely, of her supplies, from N. Miss. by the line of the Mobile & Ohio-R. Road. The R. Road lines, within the State of Alabama, terminating at Mobile, do not pass through much rich farming land, where there is, now, much - if any - surplus to spare, & the roads - leading to the river-landings, at this season of the