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Executive Department
Montgomery, Al^a Augst 7^th 1861

Capt W. M. Stone
Camp Mollee Houston

Sir

Your note of this
date has been rc^d- I have ^no^
authority to permit Mr Scott to withdraw
from your company & attach
himself to another - nor have ^you any
such power - No one except
the President of Secretary of War
can do ^It^ When a company
has tendered its services to
the Confederacy & been
accepted - it has no right to [illegible]
nor has any member a right
to withdraw from the company
without incurring the penalty
of desertion - This is not
generally understood & you therefore
should address your company
of the danger of leaving the
company without authority
from the President or Sect of War
Very Respectfully
A. B. Moore