Jno. Gill Shorter to of Alabama, August 4, 1863

General JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON,

Srr: I telegraphed you yesterday, and now write to advise you that we have as yet no companies of volunteers organized, or drafted militia. As previously informed, the militia of Alabama embraces only those between twenty-eight and forty-five years of age, and these are all appropriated under the conscript act of Congress and the late call of the President, excepting that class who have been discharged by putting in substitutes. Some of these, with a few exceptions, are volunteering, but none of these companies have as yet tendered their muster-rolls. I ordered a draft on the 25th ultimo, which only embraced those who had substitutes, and the most of them are seeking pretexts in every manner to avoid duty, even to a resort to a habeas corpus before ignorant justices of the peace, who have no jurisdiction of their cases. The 8th instant was appointed the day for their rendezvous at convenient points, to be organized into companies, and I have ordered that they might have until that day to volunteer, if they wish to do so.

The militia regiments, however, are so depleted that there are only squads of a few men to be found in a number of them subject to the draft. The aggregate of these in the entire State would make but a few regiments, if it were possible to collect them in any reasonable time, or collect them at all.

The Legislature of Alabama, at its last session, surrendered the militia officers of the State who were within the conscript age, and the whole system is now so completely disorganized that it is almost impossible, in most localities, to enforce an order by military power. In view of these facts, I await with anxiety the assemblage of the State Legislature, called for the 17th instant, for upon its prompt and patriotic action will depend all further efficiency of the State militia. What sort of a body we may have assembled, and whether it will be equal to the crisis, I am not prepared to say.

I recommended at the Jast session a reorganization, and that all able140 W. FLA., 8. ALA., 8. MISS.,-L. A., TEX., N. MEX. (Cuar. XXXVUL

‘bodied men from twenty-four to forty should be embraced, and shall repeat this recommendation.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,