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373 Series I Volume IV- Serial 4 - Operations in the South and West

Page 373(Official Records Volume 4)  


CHAP.XII.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. - CONFEDERATE.

I submit an aggregate of this debt, with the hope that measures will be instituted for its adjustment.

The extent of the force will make it necessary to appoint several generals in addition to those already appointed. It would be gratifying to the governor if in making the same the appointing power would select Generals Caswell, Sneed, and Foster, appointed by him as generals in the Tennessee forces. He would not make the request if he thought the service would suffer by it.

I am requested to invite your attention to the policy of establishing camps of instruction in East Tennessee. The healthfulness of the climate, cheapness of forage, and proximity to the field of operations all indicate this section of Tennessee as eminently appropriate for camps of instruction; in addition to which, the presence of an armed force will furnish a sense of security to our friends, and tend to suppress unlawful combinations and conspiracies against the Government.

Rifle regiments for twelve months, each man to provide his rifle, to be taken by the Government at value, and converted into Minie rifles, are being raised in Tennessee, and it is believed that several thousand troops of this description could be raised if desired by the Confederate Government. The State is able to convert these rifles at the rate of 300 per week into Minie rifles. The State is engaged in the manufacture of guns, sabers, powder, and caps, and if encouraged by some expression of approbation from the Confederate Government would it, is believed, press forward with greater energy.

Trusting that you will furnish an early reply to the matters and suggestions contained herein, I am, with great respect, your obedient servant,

G. GANTT.

[Inclosure.]

MILITARY AND FINANCIAL BOARD,

Nashville, Tenn., July 18,1861.

His Excellency Gov. ISHAM G. HARRIS:

SIR: The expenditures of this board to date are as follows:

Quartermaster-general's department................ $918,775 94 Commissary-general's department................... 522,456 03 Paymaster-general's department.................... 399,600 00 Medical department................................ 8,500 00 Ordnance department............................... 362,045 91 Contingencies-special services, expenses of board, &c........................................ 12,513 03 ----------- 2,223,890 91

Very respectfully,

F.G. ROCHE, Secretary.

HEADQUARTERS KENTUCKY BRIGADE,

Camp Boone, July 24,1861.

HonorableL.P. WALKER, Secretary of War:

SIR: Inclosed please find a letter from Brigadier-General Cheatham, of the Army of Tennessee, relative to small-arms and a field battery of six pieces that have been brought to his camp by a body of Kentuckians. I have declined to receive the arms, informing General Cheatham that I would refer the matter to you. He will doubtless hold them until I can hear from you.

Some ten days since forty-four altered rifles were brought from Kentucky to the vicinity of our camp by parties unknown to me and who were