CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA, WAR DEPARTMENT, January 19, 1865
fichmond, Va., January 19, 1865.
Maj. Gen. HOWELL Coss, Augusta, Ga.:
GENERAL: Your several letters advising strongly resort to a system of volunteering and the formation of new organizations, instead of reliance on the operations of the conscript law, for the increase of our forces, have had my anxious consideration, and have been submitted for the judgment of the President.
On the scores of policy and equity, having reference as well to the sentiments and interests of those already in the armies as of those still out of service, it has been concluded that such new organizations should not be invited or allowed. Besides, without additional legislation there would be no authority in all those portions of the Confederacy accessible to enrolling officers to allow such voluntary organizations, and it is very doubtful whether, in view of the opposition entertained to them by most of our leading generals, such legislation could be procured.
Dismissing, therefore, that mode of increasing our forces, it is of urgent necessity that you should adopt all practical means and employ your best energies in carrying out thoroughly the conscript law in your State. Although you have, in pressing your views, not shrunk from the implication of confessing failure, I am satisfied no such failure will result, on your directing your own special attention and efforts to insure success.
It is represented that there are very large numbers of men in your State who have escaped conscription through the remissness, inefficiency, or connivance of the enrolling officers. Asa class, these officers in your State are said to have been peculiarly incompetent, and that it is very difficult-to obtain others adequate.
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In this State advantage has been found by General Kemper, who has been actively enforcing conscription, in having all retired officers capable of service and supernumeraries report to him, and using them. By selections from them and among the reserves, where many intelligent men of influence are now ranged, he has much improved the corps of enrolling officers in this State. Thinking it probable you might derive benefit from a like command of invalid and supernumerary officers, I have caused an order to be issued requiring all such in your State to report to you for assignment, and I would advise you to substitute the more active and intelligent among them for the enrolling officers you have had, sending all the latter capable of active service to the field.
Our late reverses and the despondency they have caused will be best remedied by strengthening our armies, and no duty at this time is more important and imperative than the energetic enforcement of our conscript laws. The Department has full confidence in your appreciation and execution of it.
Very truly, yours, JAMES A. SEDDON, Secretary of War.