Individual Details

Military

Private, Company H, 10th Mississippi Infantry

https://cwrgm.org/item/mdah_757-932-02-25
Letter from Octavius T. Gibbs to Robert C. Wood Jr.; May 10, 1861
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Head Quarters Troops Confed: States
Near Pensacola Fla:
May 9, 1861
Respectfully referred to Captain Gibbs to ascertain who the young man is, and what are the circumstances of the case?
Robb: C. Wood
Asst Adjt General
(Copy)
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Fort McRee
May 10 / 61
Captain Robt: C Wood Jr
Dear Sir:
In answer to query, I would respectfully inform you, that the young man in question is William P Furr who deserted my Company, with two others, on the night of the 7th April, when we were in route between Mobile and Pensacola. He, with his Confederates, A. S. Furr and Charles Cornahan?, immediately returned home, at Bahala, Copiah County, Mississippi, where they are at this time I learn by letter
Very Respectfully
Your obt: sert:
O. F. Gibbs
Captain Company H
10th Regt Missi Volunteers
(Copy)
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Near Pensacola
11' May 1861
The Report enclosed shows this man to be a deserter, and he is so borne on the Rolls of his Company.
As this act occured before he came under my Command I have no control of his case.
Braxton Bragg
Brigr General
Commanding

https://cwrgm.org/item/mdah_757-932-06-04
Letter from Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus to General Braxton Bragg; May 28, 1861
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Executive Office,
Jackson, Miss. May 28 1861.
Dear sir
I am convinced from reliable information that two men of Company H. of the 10th Regiment of missi volunteers under your command. have been induced to enlist in the service of the confederate states under a mistake
The company to which these men are now attached was not ordered into service by me, but started to Pensacola on an invitation by me to meet a supposed emergency—they were not mustered into the service of the state prior to their departure, and it was expected that they would be mustered into the service of the Confederate states at ^on their arrival^ Pensacola Before they reached their destination, as will appear by the annexed letter of Capt Gibbs. These ^two^ men W. P. Furr and A. S. Furr. left the company and returned home. They were not deserters in a legal sense not being under the action of war, not having been mustered ^ordered^ into service When these men reached home
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they were persuaded that they had incurred the severe penalties of desertion—Their ^friends^ came to me for advice. It was represented to me that they had been regularly mustered into the Service of the Confederate states—and with the belief induced by this representation I prevailed on them to return promptly to the ranks in the hope that such a course would mitigate their punishment. Under my advice they went back to Pensacola & were there arrested (see Capt Gibbs letter)
I have information that these young men were constrained to suffer themselves ^to be mustered^ into the service by Capt Gibbs statement that it was the only way by which to escape the penalties of desertion. (Capt. G doubtless believing that they had incurred such penalties—) I am concerned that these young men have been, through my instrumentality and the obtained by misrepresentation of the facts. & by the earnest mistake of Capt. Gibbs induced to enlist to avoid punishment for a crime which they did not commit, for at the time they left the company, they did not belong to the army of missi to the army of the confederacy nor had they been ordered into the service as part of the army of missi. Under these circumstances, I request the discharge of these men & hope
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that you will find it compatible with your views of duty to allow it. Their Parents demand it on ground which seem to me to be sufficient. Ther enlistment in the facts stated to me was compulsory & not voluntary.
You will therefore oblige me greatly by [unclear] saying to Capt. O T. Gibbs that I wish the young men handed over to Cl. John K Yugen who will such [?] return to their homes.

A copy


John J. Pettus
To Genl Bragg
Pensacola,
Fla.
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Copy of a letter to Genl Bragg


Letter to Gen Bragg