Unknown to Edwin M. Stanton, September 2, 1861

Hon. L. P. WALKER Secretary of War :

DEAR SIR: In my letter of yesterday I urged you to send back Colonel Gregg’s regiment to this State for the coast. Upon further reflection I withdraw any request of the kind, and leave it entirely to your own judgment as to the whole matter. You know the general plans and our resources, and I do not. I desire, therefore, now to leave the matter as to the disposition of Colonel Gregg’s regiment entirely to your own judgment, and hereby withdraw any request of mine on that point. If you will immediately authorize me I can raise many more companies for the war, and put them at the two camps of instruction, and perhaps it would be better for the President to appoint all field officers, or, if he will leave the appointments to me, I will make them from graduates of West Point or our own military academies, or from officers who have Shown merit in the regiments now in Virginia whose terms of service will begin to expire in January and February next. I could also take officers from the regular forces now in this State whose terms will expire about February next, and thus save all our best officers by their appointment in forces for and during the war. If I can have discretion of this kind, I can then at these camps increase our forces greatly for the war, and as our twelve-months’ volunteers return from Virginia, I can catch nearly all of them immediately and save the best of their officers, Please give me an early answer on this point. The four regiments a the camps at present are electing, as you have, in yours of the 15th of July last, directed that they should do.

But all to be received after this, I desire field officers to be appointed either by the President or named by me and confirmed by the President orin any way the President thinks proper.

I have four very fine cavalry companies in camp, and would be glad if you would allow me to name a major to command them.

l desire you to give permission for me to raise two full regiments of cavalry besides, for and during the war, and if you can give me any assurance as to pistols and holsters, I think that I can do it. Let the President appoint their field officers, and let them elect their company officers, and when the number is full order them to the camp for Confederate service. If it is not your policy to raise two more regiments, then perhaps you might allow one. The present four companies are by express telegraph from President Davis.. I have three regiments and four companies of cavalry at one camp, and if you will permit I will appoint a very scientific officer, Major Stevens, the head of our military academy, to command them, and take charge of the camp for temporary purposes. Perhaps I could get Col. Thomas F. Drayton, who is a graduate of West Point, and a perfect and high-bred gentleman.

Very respectfully,