Letter from Sgt. David Mitchell in Petersburg, Virginia, to Governor Thomas H. Watts in Montgomery, Alabama
Item
Identifier
Q0000151127_Q0000151128
Title
Letter from Sgt. David Mitchell in Petersburg, Virginia, to Governor Thomas H. Watts in Montgomery, Alabama
Rights
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Type
Text
Creator
David Mitchell
Date
1864-08-07
Description
Soldier from 43rd Alabama regiment requesting temporary discharge from military service due to his role as a constable in Tuscaloosa County.
Format
Correspondence; Letter
Language
Eng.
Publisher
Alabama Department of Archives and History. (electronic version)
Contributor
Alyssa Kelly
Ford Swann
Ford Swann
transcription
43rd Regt Ala Vols. Petersburgh Va.
August 7th 1864
Sir
Permit me to call your attention to the following state-
ment of facts and to request your action thereon
as may seem consistent with my interests and not
in conflict with the service of the country--
By the acts of congress certain state officers whose ser-
vices the Govener may certify are necessary for the due
execution of State Laws, are exempt from military duty in
The Confederate Army-- In this number you have included
Constables and as I have the honor to be one of that
number, I desire to avail myself of the benefit of the
exemption. I was elected constable in Tuskaloosa County in
March 1862-- I gave bond and qualified according to Law.
and never having resigned I still hold the Office, and
have your Certificate with the Seal of the State showing
the fact-- Now I respectfully ask that you will make
an application for my discharge to the Secretary of War-- It is
useless for me to make the application from this place--
Every officer, being desirous of keeping every man, law
or no law in the army, would disapprove the paper-- it
might probably finally reach the deciding officer, but
would be so covered with disapprovals that there are
ten chances to one that it would not be noticed-- I
therefore ask your assistance--
I do not desire to quit the service-- but my family
require my presence for a short time-- I have been in
the army nearly three years-- have done my duty, been
wounded, and now think that if the Law entitles me to a
discharge, that I have the right to claim it-- I will thank you for
a reply--
Yrs very resptly
David Mitchell
Sergt. Co. H. 43rd Ala Regt.
Hon TH Watts. Gvnr. of Ala.
August 7th 1864
Sir
Permit me to call your attention to the following state-
ment of facts and to request your action thereon
as may seem consistent with my interests and not
in conflict with the service of the country--
By the acts of congress certain state officers whose ser-
vices the Govener may certify are necessary for the due
execution of State Laws, are exempt from military duty in
The Confederate Army-- In this number you have included
Constables and as I have the honor to be one of that
number, I desire to avail myself of the benefit of the
exemption. I was elected constable in Tuskaloosa County in
March 1862-- I gave bond and qualified according to Law.
and never having resigned I still hold the Office, and
have your Certificate with the Seal of the State showing
the fact-- Now I respectfully ask that you will make
an application for my discharge to the Secretary of War-- It is
useless for me to make the application from this place--
Every officer, being desirous of keeping every man, law
or no law in the army, would disapprove the paper-- it
might probably finally reach the deciding officer, but
would be so covered with disapprovals that there are
ten chances to one that it would not be noticed-- I
therefore ask your assistance--
I do not desire to quit the service-- but my family
require my presence for a short time-- I have been in
the army nearly three years-- have done my duty, been
wounded, and now think that if the Law entitles me to a
discharge, that I have the right to claim it-- I will thank you for
a reply--
Yrs very resptly
David Mitchell
Sergt. Co. H. 43rd Ala Regt.
Hon TH Watts. Gvnr. of Ala.