This text was obtained via automated optical character recognition.
It has not been edited and may therefore contain several errors.

---

928
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.
The report is made as accurately as the records of this department permit and embraces a few regiments heretofore reported by my predecessor, Col. W. II. Brown, in obedience to a resolution of the Legislature of the State passed July 25, 1861. I have included those regiments in order to show accurately the running numbers as they are at present designated and the change of tho numbers of some since tlio rendition of the report above mentioned. The irregularity of the numbers of battalions is occasioned by being first organized as battalions and subsequently as regiments. Many regiments and battalions of Mississippi Volunteers were organized beyond the limits of the State, and others raised under special authority reported directly to the War Department; consequently I have not been ablo to report the names of the companies, the captains of them, or number of men. The field and company officers are reported as first organized, and all changes that are known to me that have occurred in the commands are annexed to the report of each. I annex hereto summary report of the State troops that have been called from time to time into active service and organized into battalions and regiments. There wore at first seventy companies of infantry and thirteen companies of cavalry, from which there were organized five regiments and four battalions of infantry and one battalion of cavalry. The remaining cavalry companies were unattached and operated in the northern and northwestern part of the State. Tho cavalry battalion is now filled to a regiment, and the unattached companies have entered other cavalry organizations since formed. I have not in this report given a detailed statement of these troops, as they were reported minutely at the last meeting of the Legislature to you by Major-General Tupper. Most of the infantry served out their term of enlistment in that arm of the service, but cavalry being greatly needed in April last many were permitted to change their service upon condition that they were to re-volunteer for twelve months. By this means nearly two regiments were formed of mon whoso term of enlistment had nearly expired. A full report is annexed of the State troops now in service, showing there are three regiments, three battalions, and ten unattached companies. There are several unattached companies in North Mississippi now being organized into a regiment under Brigadier-General George, but the organization is not yet reported.
I deem it unnecessary to make any comments upon or suggest any changes in the present military law of the State, as you are fully apprised of the difficulties and deficiencies of the law. The law is evidently better adapted to times of peace than to the present emergency, and would meet every necessity of simple organization for drill and inspection. But in organizing troops for active service in the field it is so extremely defective as to render efficient organization impossible. There are numerous and glaring defects which I would point out, but being assured that the attention of the Legislature will be directed to the subject, I refrain from adverting to them in this report.
By the act supplemental to the militia law, approved 29th of Janu-uary, 18G2, there is but one assistant allowed this department, and the salary now fixed by law is insufficient for his support. I would suggest that said assistant be allowed tho rank and pay of captain. Tho duties of the department are frequently very laborious and such as to require additional assistance, in which case I have heretofore employed the help necessary at my own expense. I would therefore suggest that this, as well as the other military departments of
CONFEDERATE AUTHORITIES.
929
the State, be authorized to employ such additional assistance as is in their judgment required, and only for such length of time as is absolutely necessary.
I have the honor to be, Your Excellency's most obedient servant,
JONES S. HAMILTON, Adjutant aiul Inspector General of Stale of Mississippi.
[Sub-iuclosure.]
First Regiment: Colonel, John M. Simonton; lieutenant-colonel,
A.	S. Hamilton; major, T. If. Johnston. De, Soto Guards, Oapt. W. J. Boon; Walker Reserves, Capt. G. M. Moseley; Alcorn Rifles, Capt. J. J. Milam; Dave Rogers Rifles,- Capt. L. M. Laushe; Pt. Mount
Rifles, Capt. C. C. Wilbourn; Rifle Scouts, Capt. --------------- --------;
Mooresville Darts, Capt. M. Pound; Mississippi Yankee Hunters,
Capt. -------- -------; James Creek Volunteers, Capt. J. Furgerson;
Reube Davis Rebels, Capt. W. Young. Whole number, including field and staff officers, 082 men. Change in field officers as officially reported from the War Department.
Second Regiment: * Colonel, T. J. Davidson; lieutenant-colonel, J. M. \Vells; major, John R. Duvall. Falkner Guards, Capt. R. J. Hill; Molino Rifles, Capt. E. M. Wells; Tippah Tigers, Capt. P. Holcombe; Tippah Riflemen, Capt. M. M. Corley; Blount Guards, Capt. C. G. Blount; Kossuth Hunters, Capt. R. B. Allen; Black-
land Gideonites, Capt,-------------------; Plenitude Tnvincibles, Capt.
--------------; Thompson Invincibles, Capt. J. II. Kennedy; Stubbs
Rifles, Capt. R. R. Knight. Whole number, including field and staff
officers, 737 men.
Second Regiment, No. 1: Colonel, W. C. Falkner; lieutenant-colonel, Bartley B. Boone; major, David W. Humphreys. O’Connor Rifles,
Capt. J. II. Buchanan; Magnolia Rifles, Capt.-----------------------; Joe
Mathews Rifles, Capt. W. D. Beck; Tishomingo Rifles, Capt. ---------------
-------; Calhoun Rifles, Capt. John F. Booth; Town Creek Rifles, Capt.
W. C. Bromley; Pontotoc Minute Men, Capt. II. R. Miller; Coonewar Rifles, Capt. S. II. Taylor; Cherry Creek Rifles, Capt. John B. Herring; Iuka Rifles, Capt. J. M. Stone; 800 men, rank and file.
Third Regiment: Colonel, J. B. Deason; lieutenant-colonel, Robert Eager; major, T. A. Mellon. Gainesville Volunteers, Captain McFad-den; Sliieldsborougli Rifles, Capt. J. V. Toulme; Cliunkey Heroes, Capt. W. B. Johnson; Sunflower Dispersers, Captain Morgan; McWillie Blues, Capt. E. A. Peyton; Biloxi Rifles, Capt. J. P. Elmer; Downing Rifles, Captain Ratliff; Dalilgren Guards, Captain Green; Live Oak Rifles, Captain McRae; John M. Sharp’s, Capt. S. M. Dyer. Whole number, including field and staff officers, 80G men. Field officers as at present known to War Department, Col. T. A. Mellon. Fourth Regiment: Colonel, Joseph Drake; lieutenant-colonel, P. S.
Layton; major, T. N. Adaire. Carroll County Rebels, Capt.-----------------
-------; Center Marksmen, Capt. II. Jamison; Red Invincibles, Capt.
W. C. Red; Stephen Guards, Capt. R. D. Palmer; Nelson Grays, Capt. Thomas P. Nelson; Sons of the South, Capt. W. A. Sumner; Bankston Guard, Capt. W. B. Hale; Bcnela Sharpshooters, Capt. Robert Middleton; Paris Rebels, Capt. G. W. Paris; Attala Yellow Jackets, Capt. J. B. Moore. Whole number, including field and staff officers, 787 men.
*	See Twenty-third Regiment, p. 938. 59 K R—SERIES IV, VOL II