Viewing page 19 of 45

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

24

[[left margin]] Governor Parsons Dispatch [[/left margin]]

that the Governor having expressed his regret that the distance to Department Head Quarters prevented his getting troops easily for points outside the District, I told him what I had done about the Second Maine. He at once telegraphed the President asking that that or some similar force be put at my disposal for our common use. I have seen the Presidents reply, in which he says he has referred the application to the War Department, and "all that can be done, will be done," So I am in hopes some thing will come of the double reference.
[[left margin]] Maj Miller's expedition[[/left margin]]
I have heard from the Commissioner sent to inquire into outrages upon negroes. and arrest the guilty parties. He first ascertained that there were no U.S. forces in any of the Counties where violence had occurred. No Cavalry could be procured, but Brevet Maj Gen Garrard Commanding Mobile District Kindly helped him mount forty infantry, and he was to start on Friday morning with twenty five days rations.
Meanwhile I have heard of a series of outrages in Coffee County, in which the population is small and poor, and where I do not think there has ever been a U.S. soldier. I had already procured a company of Cavalry and sent them into Pike Co, just North of Coffee. Finding all  
[[left margin]] Expedition to Coffee County [[/left margin]]
quite  in Pike, I sent them word to keep on into Coffee. The Captain of this Co has also a commission from the Governor to make arrests.
[[left margin]] Tallapoosa Co [[/left margin]]
Several murders are also reported from Tallapoosa Co, where there are no troops. I have not been able to authenticate these having no Agent there, but I have laid the case before Maj Gen Davies Commanding this District, and before the Governor. General Davies has just come. He means o have troops in each County. I will have an Agent wherever there are troops. Where

25
there are none, we would be useless and exposed.
[[left margin]] Gen Chrysler [[/left margin]]
Since I commenced writing I have seen Brevet Brig Gen Chrysler who is stationed in the County adjoining Tallapoosa. He had not heard of the reported murders but said he would send at once to the vicinity and follow them up.
[[left margin]] Circular to Judges and Mayors [[/left margin]]
To ascertain the real working of the civil authority in this particular I have prepared a private manuscript circular, which I shall this week send to Mayors of Cities and Circuit Judges. I know some gratifying instances already, but I want the whole truth, and I want these officers to know that their course will be known and the community in which they live will be held responsible. The hint about pardons refers to a matter I mean to press vigorously with the Governor.
[[left margin]] Circular address [[/left margin]]
During the week past I have also prepared and sent out as recommended in Circular No. Eleven, a Circular of my own, copies of which are enclosed and which I hope will meet your approbation. If it had not been dictated by immediate necessity I could have made it fuller and dwelt on more topics. But I have not been here long enough to feel at home on all questions, and prefer writing too little to too much.
[[left margin]] Circular of instruction [[/left margin]]
My attention is now turned to a circular of instruction to Superintendents and their Assistants, after which I see no present necessity for additions to the printing bill.
[[left margin]] Four officers detailed [[/left margin]]
It is quite difficult here to obtain proper details, yet we are making some progress. In the week past we have secured the detail of Col George D. Robinson 97th N.S.C.T., an excellent officer, who will be able, from his regiment, I trust, to put a good officer in each County of his District which embraces all but one of the most troublesome Counties. The officer sent last week to Tuskegee is

Transcription Notes:
Lewis E Parsons Governor in 1865