Item description: Letter, 30 June 1862, from Peter Mallett, head of Conscription for North Carolina, to Gen. George W. Randolph, Confederate Secretary of War.
Item citation: From folder 6 in the Peter Mallett Papers, #480, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Item transcription:
Head Quarters, Camp of Instruction
Raleigh N.Ca. June 30th 1862
General Geo. W. Randolph
Secty of War
General,
I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 19th Inst. Enclosed herewith please find Governor Clark’s reply to my letter of the 23rd together with a copy of the same.
I beg most respectfully to differ in opinion with his Excellency on several points alluded to, but wishing to avoid further correspondence submit the same to your consideration and await further instructions.
His Excellency declined ordering state officers to enroll. I was consequently obliged to accept his order merely requiring them to call out their Reg’ts for enrollment at such time as I may specify.
Relying upon the patriotism of these officers I have issued orders for them to enroll conscripts on the 8th of July – and shall employ Confederate officers only when actually needed.
From correspondence and personal intercourse with prominent citizens from all parts of the State I am induced to believe that the law is not as “distasteful” as his Excellency imagines and with his cooperation and assistance there would be comparatively no objection to it.
It will require full 25000 men to fill up the Regiments now in service to the maximum number, my estimate of conscripts from this state is about 20000.
If the Governor insists upon recruiting and organizing new companies the Reg’ts in the field will be mere skeletons and the object of the laws defeated.
It will be necessary to open another camp near Statesville immediately. I take pleasure in recommending Captain James C. McRae, AAG for Commandant of the same.
At the earnest solicitation of the Governor and citizens throughout the state, in consequence of Harvesting, I have deferred calling the conscripts into camp until the 13th of July.
Hoping my course will meet with your approval.
I am, General,
Your obd’t Servt.
Major & A.A.G. P.A.C.S.
in charge of Conscription in N.C.
—
Copy of letter
to Sec. of War
June 20th/62
Estimate of Conscripts
&c. &c.
