USA > Georgia > The Confederate records of the State of Georgia, Vol 2 pt 2 > Part 20
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28
I call your special attention to that part of the report of the Comptroller-General which points out the inequal- ity of the tax returns from the different counties under the present law, and respectfully recommend the passage of the bill suggested by him, or one of like character, to remedy this evil and prevent future inequality and in- justice between the people of the different counties. Each should bear its just part of the public burdens, which is not, and will not be, the case under the present law. .
MILITARY APPROPRIATION.
As our State is invaded by a powerful enemy and it is impossible to foresee the exigencies which may arise within the ensuing year to require the use of our military force, or the extremities to which we may be driven, I recommend the appropriation of ten millions of dollars as a military fund for the political year.
RELIEF OF SOLDIERS' FAMILIES.
I recommend the appropriation of six millions of dollars as a fund for the relief of indigent soldiers'
765
STATE PAPERS OF GOVERNOR JOS. E. BROWN
families and siek and wounded soldiers, and indigent exiles.
While hundreds and thousands of our patriotic fellow. citizens who are poor and without means to support their families in their absence, are standing as a bulwark between the enemy and the safety and property of the whole people whose homes have not been overrun, it is the imperative duty of the people at home to see that their families do not suffer for the necessaries of life. I have constantly advocated this policy, and feel the im- portance of it the more as the sufferings consequent upon the scarcity of provisions are increased in the State. The wealth and property of the State must be taxed to any extent necessary to prevent suffering among the families of our brave defenders. They have freely shed their blood in their country's service, and those who have money must be compelled to part with as much of it as may be required to cheer the hearts of the widows and orphans of the slain, and the distressed families of those still upon the field. Let our soldiers know that their loved ones at home are provided for, and you stimu- late them to greater exertions and nerve them to nobler deeds.
The law should be so amended as to make it the duty of the Inferior Courts of the respective counties to make quarterly reports to the Comptroller-General of the dis- bursement of the funds received by them, with a state- ment of the names of the indigent persons to whom the fund is distributed and the amount received by each. It is believed that the courts are not held by the present law to sufficient accountability.
766
CONFEDERATE RECORDS
The law should provide for the prompt dismissal of the courts from the trust, and the appointment of other agents to disburse the fund, when they fail to make legal and satisfactory returns, or to discharge any other of the duties imposed upon them by the statute.
Provision should also be made to enable the courts of counties containing refugees to draw enough of the funds of counties behind the enemy's lines to afford re- lief to such refugees when entitled, without the certificate of the court of the county of their former residence, upon other satisfactory evidence when the certificate of the court cannot be obtained.
CLOTHING FUND.
I recommend the appropriation of two millions of dollars as a clothing fund to be used for the supply of clothing to Georgia troops in service when they cannot get what is necessary to their comfort from the Confed- erate Government. While it is the duty of that Govern- ment to supply all its troops with comfortable clothing, if it fails to discharge that duty, from inability or other- wise, Georgia should see that her sons do not suffer by such neglect. This fund should be used for the purchase of the necessary supply, either in the Confederacy or in foreign markets, as circumstances may show the one or the other to be the most practical with the least cost.
PURCHASE OF PROVISIONS.
The conscript law having been extended to fifty years of age, embraces much the greater portion of the planters of this State. Most of these men who make surplus sup- plies of provisions have received details from military
767
STATE PAPERS OF GOVERNOR JOS. E. BROWN
service on condition that they sell to the Confederate Government all their surplus at schedule prices, which are now far below market value as to afford not even the appearance of just compensation. In this way the Con- federate Government prohibits the citizens of Georgia from selling their surplus productions to their own State, when the State needs these productions and is ready to pay just compensation for them. This makes it exceed- ingly difficult for the Quartermasters and Commissaries of the State to procure the supplies absolutely necessary for the State troops, indigent exiles, and others sup- ported by the State. Under the order of Confederate officers that detailed men should sell only to Confederate agents, the officers of the State during the past summer were driven out of her own markets and were obliged to go to our sister State, Alabama, and purchase corn and import it at a very heavy expense to the Treasury to save the suffering poor from starvation.
For a more detailed statement of the difficulties grow- ing out of this prohibition you are respectfully referred to the official reports of the Quartermaster-General and the Commissary-General.
Some of the other States have enacted laws which authorize the State officers to impress, when in the hands of producers, such supplies as are needed for State use. This, in my opinion, is the only mode of obviating the difficulty. Such a law should make ample provision to secure just compensation to the owners whose property may be taken. A Confederate regulation cannot be de- fended upon any principle of reason or justice which drives a State out of her own markets for the purchase of her necessary supplies.
768
CONFEDERATE RECORDS
THE EXILES DRIVEN OUT BY THE ENEMY.
Your attention is invited to the deplorable condition of the unfortunate exiles, who have been driven from their homes in Atlanta, and other parts of the State, by the savage cruelty of the enemy. The inhumanity of the treatment to which these unfortunate sufferers have been subjected, has probably no parallel in modern warfare, and but few in the history of the world. Thousands of helpless women and children, many of them widows and orphans of brave men, who have sacrificed their lives in the defence of the liberties of their country, have been driven from their homes, with but little of their clothing and furniture, and thrown out and exposed upon the ground to all sorts of weather, without food, house or shelter.
I have had the best means in my power provided for their protection, and have ordered provisions issued to those who were entirely destitute. As I had no special appropriation for this purpose, I have used the Military fund, or so much of it as could be spared, not doubting that my course would meet your approval. Tents have been furnished to such as could not get shelter, and I have directed that log cabins be constructed, at a suita- ble locality, by the Quartermaster-General, who has taken great interest in their behalf, for their comfort during the winter. The Quartermaster and Commissary-Gen- eral have done all in their power, with the means at their command, to mitigate the sufferings of this most unfor- tunate class of our fellow citizens. I recommend that proper provision be made by law, to supply those who are destitute with shelter, and the necessaries of life, till they can provide for themselves.
769
STATE PAPERS OF GOVERNOR JOS. E. BROWN
GEORGIA HOSPITAL AND RELIEF ASSOCIATION.
Your attention is invited to the Annual Report of the Board of Superintendents of the Georgia Hospital and Relief Association. This Association is composed of gentlemen of the highest character who have labored faithfully and successfully to alleviate the suffering of our sick and wounded soldiers. Their efforts merit the thanks of our whole people. It is doubted whether any other association with the same amount of means at com- mand has accomplished as much good.
I respectfully recommend an appropriation of $500,- 000 to be expended by the association as heretofore, dur- ing the ensuing year.
SCHOOL FUND.
As our schools can not be conducted with success, till we have a change in the condition of the country, I recom- mend that the school fund, for the future, be applied to the support of the widows and orphans of our soldiers, till we can again revive our educational interests, with reasonable prospects of the accomplishment of good, by the distribution of the fund among the counties, for edu- cational purposes.
DESERTERS AND STRAGGLERS FROM THE ARMY.
It is a fact that requires no effort at concealment since the late announcement of the President, in his speech at Macon, that our armies have been weakened to an alarm- ing extent by desertion and straggling. The success of our cause, and the safety of our people, require prompt
770
CONFEDERATE RECORDS
action to remedy this evil. Many of these men have fought gallantly, and have left their commands, under circumstances the most trying, to which human nature can be exposed. As our armies have retreated and left large sections of country in possession of the enemy, they have found their homes and their families thrown behind the enemy's lines, where the latter are subject, not only to insult and injury, but to great suffering for the neces- saries of life. Under these circumstances, their sym- pathy and care, for their families, triumphed over their patriotism and sense of duty, and in an unfortunate hour they yielded to their feelings, laid down their arms and abandoned their colors.
A strong appeal should be made to these men to return to their companies, and a free pardon should be extended to each one who will do so. This is already offered to them by Gen. Beauregard, and Gen. Hood, and I have reason to believe would be granted by the General in com- mand of each of the Military Departments. All who re- fuse to accept the pardon, and return, should be arrested, and sent forward with the least possible delay.
The civil officers of the State, in their respective coun- ties, with the aid of the Military officers, when at home, and the patrol of each county, is believed to be the most effective, for the arrest and return of deserters and strag- glers, if placed by the laws of the respective States, under proper legal obligations, to act in this capacity. These officers, by the Constitution of the country and laws of the States, and of the Confederate States, are exempt from Confederate conscription, and should be required,
771
STATE PAPERS OF GOVERNOR JOS. E. BROWN
in consideration of the exemption extended to them, to keep all deserters and stragglers out of their counties, when not overrun by the enemy.
To compel the civil officers to act, as many of them are not inclined to do so, I recommend the passage of a law, authorizing the Governor to turn over the civil offi- cers of any county, or any portion of them, to conscrip- tion, when they refuse to act or to obey orders, for the apprehension of stragglers and deserters, from the State or Confederate service, and if they can not be turned over to conscription from age or otherwise, that they be sub- ject to Militia duty, and to trial by court martial, for neg- lect of duty or refusal to obey orders. And that all nee- essary penal sanctions be added, to compel the discharge of this duty. Proper provision should be made, by the Confederate authorities, to receive the deserters at con- venient points, not too remote from any part of the State, and to pay jail fees and other necessary expenses promptly. The want of proper regulations, in this par- ticular, deters many civil officers, who would be willing to act, from making arrests, as they have not money to spare, to pay the expenses, and do not know to whom or where they should deliver the persons arrested.
While it is the duty of the States to make provision to compel deserters and persons absent without leave, to return to their commands, an imperative obligation rests upon them to make such provision for the families of the needy as will secure them from want of the necessaries of life, in the absence of their husbands and fathers. Whatever tax upon the wealth of each State, may be necessary for this purpose, should be assessed by legis-
772
CONFEDERATE RECORDS
lators without hesitation, and paid by property holders without complaint.
ROBBER BANDS OF DESERTERS AND STRAGGLING CAVALRY.
It is a lamentable fact that bands of deserters from our armies, and small bodies of cavalry belonging to the Confederate service, are constantly robbing and plunder- ing our people of their stock, provisions and other prop- erty. This is generally done by these robber bands under the pretext of exercising the power of impressment, in the name of the Government or of some General, who not only knows nothing of their conduct but disapproves and condemns it. They go armed and take what they please by intimidation and force, having regard to neither age, sex nor condition. They are not amenable to any civil process as there is not generally sufficient force at home to arrest them, and they pass on and can not in future be identified. If arrested and committed to prison they will aid each other to escape by force if necessary. They are lawless banditti and should be so treated.
I, therefore, recommend the passage of an Act declar- ing all such outlaws, and authorizing any citizen, or asso- ciation of citizens, whom they may attempt to rob, to shoot them down or slay them in any other way in their power, and to band together and follow them when they have committed a robbery in any neighborhood and slay them wherever found. This is the only protection left our people at home against the depredations of these in- corrigible thieves.
773
STATE PAPERS OF GOVERNOR JOS. E. BROWN
BANK OF THE QUARTERMASTER AND COMMISSARY-GENERAL.
The gentlemen who fill these positions have labored incessantly and faithfully to serve the State and promote the public interest. I feel quite sure no two better offi- cers fill similar places in any State in the Confederacy.
The Code only gives them the rank of Lieutenant-Col- onel and allows the Governor no discretion in raising their rank no matter how deserving they may be of pro- motion. As I know of no other State which has failed to give higher rank to officers in these positions, I respect- fully recommend as an Act of justice that their rank be raised to that of Brigadier-General.
GEORGIA MILITARY INSTITUTE.
Upon the advance of the enemy, in the direction of Marietta, I directed the Superintendent, Professors com- manding, and cadets of the Georgia Military Institute, to report to the Military commanders for orders, and to aid in the defence of Atlanta, or such other points as they might be assigned to. The order was obeyed with promptness and cheerfulness, and they were, for a time, placed at the bridge at West Point, then at a position on the river in front of Atlanta, and finally in the trenches. In every position, they acted with coolness and courage and won the respect and confidence of their commanders. Finally, when it became necessary to place troops at Mil- ledgeville, for the defence of the Capitol, against the raids of the enemy, I ordered them to this place, where they are covered with tents, engaged in study part of each day, and the balance of the time attending to their duties as a battalion of troops. I have ordered them sup-
774
CONFEDERATE RECORDS
plied with provisions by the Commissary, while engaged in this service, and it will be necessary to pay the profes- sors out of the Military fund, or to make a special appro- priation for that purpose.
STATE LINE.
The two Regiments of the State Line have greatly distinguished themselves, for cool courage and intrepid valor upon the battle field, and have rendered important service in the defence of the State. The ranks of these gallant Regiments have been decimated, and they are now greatly reduced. In the short period from the time they reported to General Johnston at the front, till the fall of Atlanta, they lost upon the battle field nearly 500 men, many of them as gallant as any who have bled in free- dom's cause. For a more detailed account of their ser- vices and losses, you are referred to the able report of the Adjutant and Inspector-General of the State.
THE MILITIA.
The report of the Adjutant and Inspector-General will afford all necessary information, connected with the organization of the Militia, which would have been a most thoroughi and efficient one, but for the interruption growing out of the Conscript Acts since their organiza- tion, and would have enabled the State to bring into the field, for her own defence, when Atlanta was threatened, a force of some 30,000 men, after making all reasonable allowance for disability, etc.
Notwithstanding the difficulties with which the State authorities have had to contend, about 10,000 of the re-
775
STATE PAPERS OF GOVERNOR JOS. E. BROWN
serve Militia were armed and sent to the front, to aid in the defence of Atlanta, and other important points in the State. No troops in the service discharged their duty more nobly and faithfully. They received the com- mendation of General Johnston, General Hood, and their immediate commander, Major-General Smith, for their gallantry and good conduct upon the battle field. When Atlanta fell they held the post of honor, constituting the rear guard, which brought off the reserve artillery of General Hood's army. After they had been ordered back to Griffin they were furloughed for 30 days, and have again assembled under their gallant leader, and are in the right place nobly defending the soil of their State.
In the Constitution of the Confederate States each State has reserved the right to keep troops in time of War, when actually invaded as Georgia now is. Our fathers who formed the Constitution of the United States, from which we have taken this provision of our present Constitution, foresaw that no State could part with this right without an unconditional surrender of her sover- eignty, which they were careful to provide against. The right of the Confederate States, if we admit the power of conscription, and of the State to raise troops, is mutual and concurrent. Each, in that case, has the same right in war when the State is invaded, to enlist troops into its service, and neither has the right to take them out of the custody of the other, when regularly re- ceived into its military service. This does not of course admit the right of the Confederate Government to enroll or interfere, with the officers, or necessary agents, of the State government.
776
CONFEDERATE RECORDS
As the present organization of reserve Militia is the only remaining force left to the State, she should, under no circumstances, turn them over to the unlimited con- trol of the Confederate Government, or any other power. But she should retain the control over them that she may send them to the field, when the Military exigencies re- quire it, and withdraw them at proper intervals, when her agricultural, and other material interests, impera- tively demand it.
I turned over the organization first to General John- ston, then to General Hood, and now to General Beaure- gard, giving each the absolute command and control of the force, reserving only the right to withdraw it from their command, when, in my judgment, the safety of the State no longer required it in the field. This right will, of course, be exercised with due caution, after free con- ference with the commanding General, as was the case when I granted the thirty days' furlough, after the fall of Atlanta. This enabled the troops to save a very impor- tant crop of the State, much of which would otherwise have been lost, and caused no embarrassment to General Hood, in the execution of his plans.
CONVENTION OF GOVERNORS.
I transmit, herewith, a copy of Resolutions, adopted by the Governors of Virginia, North Carolina, South Car- olina, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi, convened in Augusta, on Monday, the 17th of October last, and re- spectfully recommend the enactment of such laws as are necessary to carry these resolutions into practical effect, so far as they contemplate action by the Legislatures of the respective States. I also request the exercise of your
STATE PAPERS OF GOVERNOR JOS. E. BROWN 777
Legislative influence to induce Congress to carry out such portions of the recommendations as are addressed to that body. It is proper, in this connection, for me to remark, that I do not wish to be understood by either of said resolutions, that I advocate the policy, in the pres- ent condition of our affairs, of arming our slaves. I do, however, advocate the use of them as teamsters, cooks, hospital servants, and in every other menial capacity, in which their services can be made useful, or in which they can relieve freemen from such pursuits that they may take up arms. 2
CONCLUSION.
In conclusion I earnestly invoke the blessings of Al- mighty God upon your deliberations, and humbly pray that He will endow you with wisdom from above, and will guide and direct all your councils, till they result in the adoption of measures, and the enactment of laws which, while they strengthen our forces, and give victory to our arms, will lead to wise and just negotiations, which may stop the war, with all its horrors, and secure the inde- pendence of the Confederacy, with the rights and the sovereignty of the States unimpaired, thereby enabling us to maintain, to the latest generation, the inestimable blessings of civil and religious liberty, protected by ade- quate Constitutional guarantees.
JOSEPH E. BROWN.
THE MEETING OF THE GOVERNORS.
At a meeting of the Governors of the States of Vir- ginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Ala- bama, and Mississippi, held in Augusta, Ga., on Monday
778
CONFEDERATE RECORDS
the 17th inst., Gov. Wm. Smith presiding, after a full, free and harmonious consultation and interchange of council, the following, among other views, were ex- pressed :
Resolved, That there is nothing in the present aspect of public affairs to cause any abatement of our zeal in the prosecution of the war to the accomplishment of a peace, based on the independence of the Confederate States. And to give encouragement to our brave soldiers in the field, and to strengthen the Confederate authorities in the pursuit of this desirable end, we will use our best exertions to increase the effective force of our armies.
Resolved, That the interests of each of our States are identical in the present struggle for self-government, and wisdom and true patriotism dictate that the military forces of each should aid the others against invasion and subjugation, and for this purpose we will recommend to our several legislatures to repeal all such laws as pro- hibit the executives from sending their forces beyond their respective limits, in order that they may render temporary service wherever most urgently required.
Resolved, That whilst it is our purpose to use every exertion to increase the strength and efficiency of our State and Confederate forces, we respectfully and earn- estly request that the Confederate authorities will send to the field every able-bodied man without exception, in any of its various departments whose place can be filled by either disabled officers and soldiers, senior reserves or negroes, and dispense with the use of all provost and post guard, except in important cities, or localities where the presence of large bodies of troops make them necessary,
779
STATE PAPERS OF GOVERNOR JOS. E. BROWN
and with all passport agents upon railroads not in the immediate vicinity of the armies, as we consider these agents an unnecessary annoyance to good citizens and of no possible benefit to the country.
Resolved, That we recommend our respective legisla- tures to pass stringent laws for the arrest and return to their commands of all deserters and stragglers from the Confederate armies or State troops, and that it be made the special duty, under appropriate penalties, of all civil and military officers to arrest and deliver to the proper authorities all such delinquents.
And Whereas, the public enemy having proclaimed the freedom of our slaves, are forcing into their armies the able-bodied portion thereof, the more effectually to wage their cruel and bloody war against us, therefore be it
Resolved, That it is the true policy and obvious duty of all slave owners timely to remove their slaves from the line of the enemy's approach, and especially those able to bear arms; and when they shall fail to do so that . it be made the duty of the proper authorities to enforce the performance of this duty, and to give such owners all necessary assistance as far as practicable.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.