Unknown to Joseph E. Brown, May 10, 1864
Macon, Ga., May 10, 1864.
His Excellency JOSEPH E. BRowN, Governor of Georgia:
Sir: It having been reported to me from many counties in the State that men enrolled under the act of Congress 17th of February, 1864, ââto organize forces to serve during the war,â are claiming exemption from service by virtue of their election to civil State offices subsequent to date of enrollment, and under the erroneous impression that you will protect them in their claims, I have the honor,
very respectfully, to request you to authorize me to inform the officers under my
command that you will not countenance claims for exemption from
military service on the ground of election to State offices subsequent
to enrollment in the C. 8. Army. It [is] my earnest desire to avoid,
by myself and by my officers, any real or apparent conflict with the
officials of the State, and am therefore very desirous that Your Excellency should make such declaration as would remove the difficulty to
which I have referred and which is of constant occurrence.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,