Letter from W. V. W. McLendon to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; March 12, 1863
Title
Letter from W. V. W. McLendon to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; March 12, 1863
Subject
Families of military personnel.; Mississippi. Governor; Pettus, John Jones, 1813-1867.
Description
From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Pettus Collection. Letter from W. V. W. McLendon in Dalton, Mississippi, to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus concerning the hardships being faced by the families of soldiers.
Creator
McLendon, W. V. W.
Publisher
Mississippi Department of Archives and History. (electronic version); Mississippi Digital Library. (electronic version)
Date
1863-03-12
Contributor
Funding for this project provided by The Dale Center for Study of War and Society-USM, the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, the Mississippi Digital Library, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, the University of Southern Mississippi, and the Watson-Brown Foundation
Rights
NO COPYRIGHT - UNITED STATES; http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
Language
English
Identifier
mdah_757-944-5-29
Coverage
1863
Text
Page 1:
Dalton, Chickasaw co. Miss.
March 12th 1863
John J. Pettus Governor, &c.
Dear Sir.—permit an hororable citizen to address your Excellency in a few interrogations, &c.
We are in the midst of per-ilous times: the terrible war in which we are engaged has made such a drain on our agricultural popula-tion, that already the question of Food is a question of the most vital importance; and notwithstanding all that may have been done by our State for the destitute families, yet there is danger of a good deal of suffering amongst that class for the want of the necessities of life. Food is scarce, and some articles of it are already selling at fabulous prices, so that even large sums of money purchase comparitively small quantities of food.
This scarcity and these high prices, as you are doubtless aware, bear with peculiar force on the poor. Every producer of food taken from home into either the Confederate or State service lessens the quantity produced, and conse-quently the price is proportionally enhanced. Of this you are also aware
Page 2:
In view of these things, and the possi-bility of another unfavorable crop year, would it not be wise in the State authorities to let [strikethrough] as [strikethrough] many agri-cultural men remain at home as pos-sible? Would it not be a wise measure to turn over to the Confederate Service all the Conscripts in the service of the State, and send home the Mili-tia to make Bread for their families?
So think many men of sound judgement in our State. It would not yet be too late for them to re-turn and raise a corn-crop.
No doubt, the officers who are out, recieving good wages, with comparatively little to do, would oppose, with all their influence, such a movement; but then the good of the greatest number should be undoubtedly be considered.
It is thought by many that the militia are more expense to the State than they do good in its defence.
Of this, I will not dogmatically affirm.
It is said, whether true or not, I cannot say, that men of property in the State Service are by one means or other, working out, and going home to raise crops: So writes a mi-litia man at Columbus. He says, with a few exceptions, the militia at that place are coming down to the "wool hat."
Page 3:
(Should there be any class discrimin-ation in such a case, it should be in favor of the poor, for the rich are able to employ some person to attend to their business, while many of the poor cannot—and consequent-ly can have nothing made at home)
But the point to which I was [strikethrough] [unclear] [strikethrough] to arrive is the following, viz: If the Militia yet at home, pitch and plant their crops, is there any certainty that they will be permitted to remain at home long enough to cultivate, or make them? Or will they be liable at any time to be called out into the service though their crops should be half-made?
We (the Militia) in this part of the State would feel grateful to our Executive for a definite answer to this inquiry, if he can and will give it. Men have little encourage-ment to try to raise a crop, if they think they may at any time, be called off in the midst of their labors. Their crops, perhaps, just planted, or it may be, half-made.
Will you please give us some assurance therefore so that we may know what to do?
Failure to make a crop would prove ruinous to many poor men for if they raise no crop, their
Page 4:
W. V. W. McLendon
Dalton Miss
families, as many of them, possess not the means to purchase provisions, must actually suffer: The State has already more destitute families to at-tend to, than it can do any thing like a good part by. Let not, then, the number of distitute be increased, if by any reasonable means it can be avoided.
But as your Ecellen-cy is doubtless well aware of all these things, and well posted on whatever concerns The interest and welfare of our noble State, I will add little more, after requesting you to pardon me for trespassing so long on your time—and de-siring you, if you please, to answer this communication at as early a day as you may find convenient, not only on my own individual account, but also for the sake of others.
Please address me at Dalton, Chickasaw Co. Miss.
Very respectfully
His Excellency } yours, &c.
Jno. J Pettus } W. V. W, Mc"Lendon
Jackson, Miss
Dalton, Chickasaw co. Miss.
March 12th 1863
John J. Pettus Governor, &c.
Dear Sir.—permit an hororable citizen to address your Excellency in a few interrogations, &c.
We are in the midst of per-ilous times: the terrible war in which we are engaged has made such a drain on our agricultural popula-tion, that already the question of Food is a question of the most vital importance; and notwithstanding all that may have been done by our State for the destitute families, yet there is danger of a good deal of suffering amongst that class for the want of the necessities of life. Food is scarce, and some articles of it are already selling at fabulous prices, so that even large sums of money purchase comparitively small quantities of food.
This scarcity and these high prices, as you are doubtless aware, bear with peculiar force on the poor. Every producer of food taken from home into either the Confederate or State service lessens the quantity produced, and conse-quently the price is proportionally enhanced. Of this you are also aware
Page 2:
In view of these things, and the possi-bility of another unfavorable crop year, would it not be wise in the State authorities to let [strikethrough] as [strikethrough] many agri-cultural men remain at home as pos-sible? Would it not be a wise measure to turn over to the Confederate Service all the Conscripts in the service of the State, and send home the Mili-tia to make Bread for their families?
So think many men of sound judgement in our State. It would not yet be too late for them to re-turn and raise a corn-crop.
No doubt, the officers who are out, recieving good wages, with comparatively little to do, would oppose, with all their influence, such a movement; but then the good of the greatest number should be undoubtedly be considered.
It is thought by many that the militia are more expense to the State than they do good in its defence.
Of this, I will not dogmatically affirm.
It is said, whether true or not, I cannot say, that men of property in the State Service are by one means or other, working out, and going home to raise crops: So writes a mi-litia man at Columbus. He says, with a few exceptions, the militia at that place are coming down to the "wool hat."
Page 3:
(Should there be any class discrimin-ation in such a case, it should be in favor of the poor, for the rich are able to employ some person to attend to their business, while many of the poor cannot—and consequent-ly can have nothing made at home)
But the point to which I was [strikethrough] [unclear] [strikethrough] to arrive is the following, viz: If the Militia yet at home, pitch and plant their crops, is there any certainty that they will be permitted to remain at home long enough to cultivate, or make them? Or will they be liable at any time to be called out into the service though their crops should be half-made?
We (the Militia) in this part of the State would feel grateful to our Executive for a definite answer to this inquiry, if he can and will give it. Men have little encourage-ment to try to raise a crop, if they think they may at any time, be called off in the midst of their labors. Their crops, perhaps, just planted, or it may be, half-made.
Will you please give us some assurance therefore so that we may know what to do?
Failure to make a crop would prove ruinous to many poor men for if they raise no crop, their
Page 4:
W. V. W. McLendon
Dalton Miss
families, as many of them, possess not the means to purchase provisions, must actually suffer: The State has already more destitute families to at-tend to, than it can do any thing like a good part by. Let not, then, the number of distitute be increased, if by any reasonable means it can be avoided.
But as your Ecellen-cy is doubtless well aware of all these things, and well posted on whatever concerns The interest and welfare of our noble State, I will add little more, after requesting you to pardon me for trespassing so long on your time—and de-siring you, if you please, to answer this communication at as early a day as you may find convenient, not only on my own individual account, but also for the sake of others.
Please address me at Dalton, Chickasaw Co. Miss.
Very respectfully
His Excellency } yours, &c.
Jno. J Pettus } W. V. W, Mc"Lendon
Jackson, Miss