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Executive Department
Montgomery, Alabama, Feby 19th 1862
Maj. Gen. Braxton Bragg - Head-quarters, mobile

Sir,
I enclose you, herein, a copy of a letter from the Secretary of War,
of the 2nd inst. and a copy of my Proclamation-founded thereon, of
the 12th inst. I have, to-day - prepared - for immediate publication - all
over the State - General order-No2, requiring immediate enrollment of [&c ?]
of the militia, with a view to enforce a draft - if it becomes necessary,
to fill the requisition. The recent reverses, which have overtaken us, however,
have vastly stimulated our people, and I have strong hopes of raising the
Mehr Regiments, by Volunteer elistments, within a reasonable time. For
Convenience - as well as to inspire Public Confidence, and enlist the united
energies of our people - I have deemed it advisable to establish a number
of Camps, in the different sections of our State, where the Companies
will render rows, for drill and organization. These Camps will be at
Huntsville, + Tuscumbia, in North-Alabama - on the Memphis + Charleston
Rail-Road. At Tuscaloosa-Talladega. - Opelika + Loachapoga - on the
Montgomery + West. Point, Rail-Road. At Selma, At Greenville, on the Alabama
+ Florida. R. R. - and a camp at mobile. So soon as the Companies begin
to arrive in Camp, I will detail Cadets from the University of Alabama, to
go to active drilling of the men - in squads + Companies - immediately.

I have written the Secretary of War for other and additional powers
and for prompt provision of the bounty-money-clothing &c If I can give
the people - my personal + official assurance, on these-(to us) minor
matters-it will, materially, advance the organization. It is very important too
that I should have authority to appoint my military Aids-and other
Special Aids-as mustering Aids - to muster-in Companies - or men, at
any of my encampments. There are a number of Gentlemen, travelling
over the State, with written authority from the Secretary of War, to muster-in
Companies or single men, + to have them subsisted + equipped by the
Confederate States. Two or three such Camps are designated, with
Battalions + Regiments in progress. I will use all my influence to
encourage all enlistments + organizations for the war, but am surprised
that the Secy of War did not confer - at least - as much authority
on me, when he calls upon me to furnish 12 new Regiments. I
presume, however, that these particulars did not occur to him. The
Assistant Commissary + Quarter-master, here, require your order to furnish
Transportation-Camp-Equipments- and subsistence for all the men
mustered-in under my direction, in filling-up the late requisition. I should be
pleased to have these officers so instructed, as not to embarrass any of my
operations, but promptly to respond to my requisitions-made for the
organization of Troops. With authority, in the first place, to order my Aids-
du-Camp - over the State - to muster-in Companies + men - if necessary, and
to make requisitions for their transportation [1 word illegible]. I can move on smoothly,
and - I believe - efficiently. I dispatched you to-day, and hope to have
this authority before you receive this letter. As the Rail-Road with mobile
is interrupted by the recent rains, and I can visit the city only by
steamboat, I fear I cannot spare the time from the Capitol, which will be, now,
required to make the trip. I desired - very much to Review Gen. Butler's
Brigade of State militia, on the 22d mst. and if I shall be unable to
reach mobile by that day - as I, now, fear will be the case, it will be
a greater disappointment to me than to others - I suspect.

The recent heavy rains have much injured all our connecting
lines - and the utmost energy will be requisite to repair them promptly.
In the meantime - we are annoyed with rumors of disasters in
Kentucky and Tennessee, which, I hope - + believe - will hone-out untrue
Your Off Ser't
(Signed) Gill Shorter