RH. Chilton to RICHMOND, VA., May 24, 1864, May 24, 1864
May 24, 1864.
ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERAL’S OFFICE, Richmond, Va., May 24, 1864.
Colonel PRESTON, Chief of the Bureau of Conscription :
COLONEL: The following extract from the inspection report of Lieutenant-General Polk’s command, by George B. Hodge, colonel and assistant inspector-general, is respectfully referred to the Bureau of Conscription for its information. It is requested that information may be afforded the assistant inspector-general of what measures have been adopted to remedy the evils herein mentioned.
“”From the commencement of his administration of the affairs of the department, the lieutenant-general commanding complains that he was embarrassed by the evils ensuing upon the inefficient administration of the conscript laws and the failure of the Bureau of Conscription, which was charged with the duty of arresting absentees, to perform its functions with the necessary vigor and energy. He estimates that on assuming command there were in his territorial limits quite 10,000 men liable to military duty absent from their commands and evading the claims of the Government for their services. In the county of Jones, in Mississippi, as heretofore intimated, there were a large number of disaffected persons who had proceeded to such extremities as to engage in a raid upon and plunder of the public stores at Paulding, in Jasper County. In the country northwest of the Tallahatchee, Captain Rison, of the Confederate service, having deserted his post and enticed away with him a portion of his command, had established and inaugurated a system of private plunder ostensibly against the common enemy, but too often without regard to the sentiments of the owners of the property. He was constantly sending messages to his friends in the army and inviting them to join him, buying them by promises of brigandage and free quarters.
“In the counties of Lawrence, Morgan, Blount, and others in Alabama the recruiting agents of the Federal Government were organiz446 CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.
ing mounted regiments, colluding with disaffected citizens, and carrying on with them an almost avowed correspondence.” I am, colonel,
very respectfully, your obedient servant,
RH. CHILTON;
Assistant Adjutant and Inspector General.
RICHMOND, VA., May 24, 1864.
His Excellency JOSEPH E. BROWN,
Governor of Georgia, Milledgeville, Ga.:
DEAR SIR: Your letter of November 18, 1863, has remained unanswered until this time through no want of respect, personal or official,
but from the pressure of events which have prevented an earlier
response. It has been my earnest wish that every officer of the Confederacy, whether employed in a civil or military capacity, should