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

made at other points for casting boring guns, while the rifling could be done here whenever required.

The spirit animating the United States Congress and people, and the great preparations made for a war upon a grand theater, induce me to urge upon you the importance of a timely and efficient preparation on our part, and the plan for equipping ourselves I have now the honor to submit to your superior judgment.

Respectfully,

WM. RICHARDSON HUNT, Captain of Ordnance.

RICHMOND, August 13,1861.

General F.K. ZOLLICOFFER, Knoxville, Tenn.:

General Polk has been ordered to send to Russellville, Tenn., the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Regiments of Mississippi Volunteers and to advise you of their departure. Colonel W.B. Wood's regiment Alabama volunteers, at Tuscumbia, has been ordered to the same place, with orders to telegraph you. Change at your discretion the point of rendezvous if Russellville is considered unadvisable.

S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General.

MEMPHIS, August 13,1861.

General SPARROW, Confederate Congress:

Will you have a bill passed authorizing generals in command, at their discretion, to appoint drill-masters, with the rank and pay of first lieutenants? The service is absolutely suffering for the want of such a law. We have a number of young men with military education we can employ in that way if we had the law. Your early attention is requested to this matter.

L. POLK.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF MISSISSIPPI,

Jackson, August 13,1861.

Major General LEONIDAS POLK, C.S.A., Memphis, Tenn.:

SIR: In answer to your dispatch of 12th instant, the State has three artillery companies, armed and equipped, which can be placed in service at short notice, also six cavalry companies, fully armed and equipped. Eight regiments of infantry are being formed (but few arms), and will [be sent] into camps for instruction shortly. The chief of ordnance, Lieutenant-Colonel French, informs me that he can arm from 2,000 to 3,000 men with good arms. In addition to the above-named troops, there are nineteen companies now tendered for the war under the requisition of President Davis and proclamation of Governor Pettus (proclamation herewith inclosed). These last-mentioned companies are not armed. Efforts have been made to collect arms in the different counties, but with what success I am unable to say, as no reports have been made to the ordnance department.

I have delayed this letter for several hours expecting Governor Pettus' return. He will doubtless communicate all information in his possession immediately on his return.

I have the honor to be, with respect, your obedient servant,

W.H. BROWN, Adjutant and Inspector General Army Mississippi.