Moore, Thomas Overton, 1804-1876 to Thomas J. Semmes

The Governor of Louisiana writes to Semmes, a Confederate Senator from Louisiana, regarding raising of the first troops for the Confederacy. States that the Secretary of War is asking for 1700 men as soon as possible. Says that the government would like for him to provide transportation for the troops but advises that the government must provide it to Pensacola, Florida. Adds a post script asking Semmes, "Do you accept the Judgeship?" On stationary printed "Executive Office." "Your dispatch received. Order No 65 does supersede the Infantry Regiment that was to have been raised, we are by this latter order to raise Ten Companies of 12 months men unless sooner disbanded. The officers appointed will of course be disbanded, unless the Confederate States, allow another regiment to be raised of which I shall know soon. The whole matter places me in rather an embarrassed condition, but the Sec. of War asking for the 1700 men & as early as practicable, caused me by the advice of Cols. Westmore & Hebert to call for ... six companies from the Country & four from the city, of course the[y] will report with officers, having none to appoint but Col, Lt. Col & Major ...The government asks that I should furnish transportation, I write this evening to say they must furnish transportation from the city to Pensacola. The 700 men for the forts below, we shall have enlisted in a day or two, many do not believe that number is at all adequate to our defence ...".