L. P. Walker to G. Gantt, July 26, 1861

Richmond, July 26, 1861.

G. GANTT, Esq., Richmond, Va.:

Sır: Your letter of July 23, written on behalf of the governor of Tennessee, has been received.

With regard to the question of the transfer of the Provisional Army of Tennessee to the Confederate States, that transfer must take place in the manner prescribed by law, and the army so transferred becomes at once in every respect subject to the organization and regulations of the Confederate Army. The simple .act of transfer of the army may be effected by the mere inspection of the muster rolls, and by the transfer of the same under the proper officers. So far as possible, it would be the poliey of this Department to retain such officers in commission as had been appointed under the State organization, but such officers as are not recognized under the army organization of the Confederate States must, of course, cease to exist. Such are those to which you refer—adjutant-general, quartermaster- general surgeon-general, in-

. Spector-general, and commissary-general, with their assistants. These

appointees must, therefore, necessarily be displaced by the transfer; but in making such corresponding appointments as may under the new organization be necessary, this Department will be happy to consider in each case the claims of the gentlemen previously appointed, it being

_the policy of the Department to consult in every ease, so far as possible, the interests and the wishes of the State in question. Governor Harris has already been requested, in a letter from the President, to present his recommendations for these appointments.

In the transfer by regiments the field officers of the regiments must be already elected. In the transfer by companies or by battalions, to be afterward organized into regiments, the appointment of field officers is reserved to the President. ;

The army stores referred to in your letter, which have been collected and paid for by the State of Tennessee, will be included in the trasfer. They will be receipted for by the proper departments, and this Government will become responsible for their purchase and for all the expenses properly incidental.

The debt incurred by the State of Tennessee for war purposes will be assumed by the Government of the Confederate States according to the terms agreed upon, but it is not in the power of this Department at present to.enter fully into arrangements for that object. The account

4 ` inclosed in your letter will be referred to the proper authority, and will

receive due attention. 3 With reference to the future appointment of brigadier-generals, Governor Harris has been already assured, in the letter from the President

previously referred to, that his recommendations and the publie sentiment of the people of Tennessee shall be consulted in this particular so far as the interests of the publie service may permit.

“The suggestion of the governor with regard to the establishment of

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camps of instruction in Tennessee is approved. The location of such camps has been referred to the governor already, as will be seen by reference to the communication of June 30. : The Department is gratified to hear of the success of the efforts in Tennessee for the raising of rifle regiments. Too much energy eannot be devoted to the enlistment of troops and the procuring of arms. The Government would also gladly co-operate with any proper measures for the improvement of the arms, subject, of course, always to the direction and approval of the proper officers of this Government. The manufacture of the munitions of war, such as you refer to, within the State — – of Tennessee, is highly improved, and the Government would gladly —

encourage and promote such manufactures by every means within its power.

Very respectfully, –

Secretary of War.