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[seal]

Corinth. Sept 23. 1861

His Excellency John J. Pettus
Gov. State of Mississippi

Dear Sir

I am on my way to Columbus from Richmond, where I have been to get authority to raise a Battalion of Cavalry for the. Confederate service for 12 months.

Permission was given me to organize the Battalion, to be called the "Pope Walker Troopers"—and to be ready for service by the 1^st November.

The authority under signature of "Secy Walker dated Sept 16^th states that the arms of said Battalion provided by the 'Troopers themselves" will be paid for by the Govern-ment when they are mustered in"—

On reaching here I find the Company formerly commanded by Capt W^m. M Inge & now in charge of Lt Jno N Duncan is anxious to get into service & will join this Battalion, with your permission to use the arms they now have belonging to the state, being a lot of "Maynard Rifles"

They will be paid for by the Govm^t to the state, under the authority above