Part 23 (2/2)

_Jackson, Miss., August_ 22, 1865.

Captain: I have the honor to enclose copy of a letter received from Governor Sharkey in reply to my communication of yesterday, copy of which was sent you by last courier. The governor's proclamation, raising troops in the whole State, changes the status of things, as it no longer belongs to the limits of my district, but to the department; and, consequently, I desist from all further action in the matter until your instructions have come to hand.

In regard to the robberies, I will state that not a single _regular_ stage, between Big Black and Jackson, has been earnestly interfered with; they were permitted to run, without molestation, while the ”robbers”

operated against a Ma.s.sachusetts schoolmaster, some darkies, and the government messengers; not a house was entered in the vicinity of the field of operations, not an inhabitant robbed. All ”home inst.i.tutions”

are apparently safe. The inference is natural that these highway men are guerillas in the true sense of the word, and are waging a war against the ”invaders.” The governor admits, very candidly, that he knows that the people are reluctant to give aid to me by imparting information. Several persons who were halted by the ”robbers,” but released with the excuse that they were stopped by mistake, refused flatly to give any name, of the party they were stopped by, but declared to know them.

You know, captain, that certain parties have importuned the governor, from the beginning, to raise the militia; and, as there was no cause for such a measure before, it probably was thought expedient to get up some cause for the desired purpose. Now we have the ”robberies”--they are very one-sided and extraordinary--but they furnished the cause so badly wanted. The governor is confident that a few squads of young men, armed with fowling-pieces and the omnipresent revolvers, can suppress all irregularities, which the utmost vigilance and constant exertion of a large number of United States troops failed to suppress!

I must state yet that the parties arrested under suspicion of partic.i.p.ating in the described robberies are young men lately connected with the rebel army. There is no doubt on my mind that the young men ”who steal the despatches from our messengers” will become good members of the intended militia.

With great respect, your obedient servant,

P. JOS. OSTERHAUS, _Major General Volunteers_.

Captain J. WARREN MILLER, _A.A. General, Department of Mississippi_.

Official copy:

W.A. GORDON, _A.A. General_.

HEADQUARTERS NORTHERN DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI,

_Jackson, Miss., August_ 21, 1865.

Sir: A notice appears in yesterday's paper, over the signature of Lamar Fontaine, calling on the young men of Hinds and Madison counties to meet at Cooper Wells and at Livingstone, respectively, on the 22d and 24th instant, for the purpose of organizing companies and electing officers.

The notice creates the impression that some kind of military organization is intended, and in that event I would beg leave to call your attention to the fact that the State of Mississippi is under occupation, and that martial law is still in force, and that no military organizations can be tolerated which are not under the control of the United States officers.

I am, therefore, in duty bound and compelled to prevent and prohibit all military organization not recognized as a portion of the United States forces, unless they are formed under special authority of the War Department, or the major general commanding the department of Mississippi.

I can a.s.sure your excellency that the number of troops in the counties of Hinds and Madison is amply sufficient to give the civil authorities all the a.s.sistance they may possibly need, and the means at my disposal are amply sufficient to stop all crime, provided the civil authorities will co-operate sincerely with the military commanders, and furnish information promptly and voluntarily, as the public peace and safety require them to do.

I respectfully request that you will communicate the tenor of this communication to Mr. Fontaine.

Believe me, with great esteem, your excellency's obedient servant,

P. JOS. O'STERHAUS, _Major General Volunteers_.

His Excellency Hon. W.L. SHARKEY, _Provisional Governor of Mississippi_.

Official copy:

<script>