page_0031

28
26
Executive Department.
Montgomery, January 18^th, 1862.
To Maj Gen. Thos, W. M^cCoy, Mobile [check]
Dear Sir,
The pressure of official duties has prevented an earlier
acknowlegement of your letter of the 14^th Inst. covering
returns for the Division under your command. While in
your City and since my return to the Capitol, I have
addressed special orders to Brigadier Gen^l Tho^s J. Butler, of the 9^th
Brigade, for an immediate - and thorough organization of his
Brigade, and with instructions to report directly to this
Department. Having been deprived, while in your city, of the
pleasure of a personal - and free interview with you, upon
the subject of our Military Defense, and- from a cause unknown
to me, - until I was advised by yourself, on the wharf while in
the act of leaving Mobile - I deemed that the Public Interest
would be - most effectually promoted - by extending my orders to
the Brigadier General - with whom I had full intercourse, and
to whom I was enabled - unreservedly - to communicate my
views - as to the policy to be adopted, to accomplish the object I
desired.

It was not in my thought to deprive you of the
command of the 9^th Brigade, and I had no intimation, from
any quarter, that, as I had the unquestioned power to address
my orders to any Commander of Military Subdivisions, under
the first section of the 12^th Chapter of the Military Code, that
it would be, personally, disagreeable to you, I thought I might
do so - in discharge of public duty - even without comment.

The active movements to perfect the organization of the 9^th
Brigade - made necessary by the threatening conduct of the
Enemy, I, also, believed could be expedited by direct
communication between Brigadier Gen^l Butler and this Department. The
Public exigency, in my own judgement, commended the
course, and I have not had occasion to change that opinion.
If this view of my duty and responsiblity - does not furnish, in
your estimation, a justification of my acts - I have only to express
my regrets - that you should feel, in the least, offended, where
offense was, by no means, intended.

Should it become necessary to order the Brigade of Gen^l
Butler into active service - I shall, certainly, communicate
through you, not intending - or desiring to supersede you in the
command of any portion of your Division.

For the promptness - with which - I am advised, that you
extended my orders to the 22^d Brigade, accept my thanks.
Very resp'^y
Yr ob.^t Ser'^t
(Signed) Jn^o Gill Shorter
=
Executive Department.
Montgomery, Jan^y20^th, 1862
W. B. Modowell Esq^r [check]
M^cKinley, Ala.
Dear Sir,
I the midst of the severest pressure
of public and official duties, I seize this opportunity to reply to
your letter of the 8^th inst. And, in reference to the action taken by
by a portion of the Citizens of Marengo - to which you refer,
I have only to say that I regret the public manifestation of
any dis-satisfaction at what the General Assembly may have
done - or omitted to do. And I also regret any growing