Colonel Jefferson Davis to C. S. Tarpley and others, May 7, 1847

(From Vicksburg Weekly Whig, June 9, 1847.)

Monterey, May 7, 1847.

Gentlemen—Your letter of the 5th ult., conveying the resolutions of a public meeting held in the capital of our State, on the 3d of April, 1847, has just been received.

For the approbation thus conferred on the officers and men of the 1st Mississippi Rifles, I feel most sincerely thankful. For myself, and for those whom it has been my honor and good fortune to command, I will say, that in such manifestations of regard and esteem of our brethren at home, is contained the reward for whatever we have borne of toil, privation or loss; for whatever we may have achieved of honorable service in the cause of our country.

The necessary directions will be given, to place your letter on the records, and ensure its reading at the head of each company of our Regiment.

For the very kind and highly complimentary terms in which you, as the organ of the meeting have presented its resolutions, I am truly sensible, and offer my grateful acknowledgements. Cordially, I am your friend and fellow citizen,

JEFF'N DAVIS.        

Colonel 1st Mississippi Rifles.

Messrs. C. S. Tarpley, Jno. D. Freeman, Jas. J. Deavenport, H. Stuart Foote, C. R. Clifton, Charles Scott, Daniel Mayes, Jno. I. Guion, A. Hutchinson, Jno. Mayrant,-Committee.

SOURCE: Dunbar Rowland, Editor, Jefferson Davis, Constitutionalist: His Letters, Papers and Speeches, Volume 1, p. 71-2

Governor Albert G. Brown to Colonel Jefferson Davis, May 17, 1847

(From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Letter Book of Governor Brown.)

Executive Chamber Jackson Mi 17 May 1847

Col Jeff Davis
        Com 1st Miss Rifles,

Sir

I have the honor to enclose a copy of a letter written by me to the Secretary of War requesting that officers & men in your Regiment be allowed to retain their arms on retiring from the service or that said arms be issued to Mississippi as a part of her quota from the Genl Government. The Secr. has not yet replied to the letter, but it is not doubted by me that he will at least yield to the last request. Expecting to be absent from home for some weeks I have instructed the Sec of State to forward Gov Marcy's answer to you when it is received. Should either of my requests be complied with, you will allow the men under your command to retain their arms when you disband them. If they are issued to the State, I cannot render a more acceptable service to the people for whom your ever glorious Reg't has won such imperishable honor than to say in their name "there shall be no divorce between the gallant soldier & his Gun."

Very Respy

Your obt. serv't

A. G. Brown

SOURCE: Dunbar Rowland, Editor, Jefferson Davis, Constitutionalist: His Letters, Papers and Speeches, Volume 1, p. 72

James K. Polk* to Brigadier-General Jefferson Davis, May 19, 1847

(From Vicksburg Weekly Whig, October 20, 1847.)

Washington City, May 19, 1847.

My Dear Sir:—The Secretary of War will transmit to you, a commission as Brigadier General of the United States Army. The Brigade which you will command, will consist of volunteers called out to serve during the war with Mexico. It gives me sincere pleasure to confer this important command upon you. Your distinguished gallantry and military skill while leading the noble regiment under your command, and especially in the battles of Monterey and Buena Vista, eminently entitle you to it. I hope that the severe wound which you received at the latter place, may soon be healed, and that your country may have the benefit of your valuable services, at the head of your new command.

I am very faithfully, your friend,

JAMES K. POLK.

To Brigadier-General Jefferson Davis, U. S. Army, in Mexico.

_______________

*Polk, James Knox (1795-1849), eleventh President of the United States, was born in Mecklenburg county, North Carolina, November 2, 1795, graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1818, removed to Tennessee, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1820, and began practice in Columbia, Tenn. He served in the Tennessee House of Representatives 1823-1825; was a member of the national House of Representatives, 1825-1839; Speaker, 1835-1839; and Governor of Tennessee 1839-1841. He was President of the United States, 1845-1849. During his administration the annexation of Texas (1845) involved the country in aggressive war against Mexico (May, 1846-September, 1847) which resulted in the acquisition of California and other cessions from Mexico. A dispute with the British government about the boundary of Oregon was settled by the Treaty with Great Britain signed June 15, 1846. President Polk retired from office in March, and died at Nashville, Tenn., June 15, 1849.

SOURCE: Dunbar Rowland, Editor, Jefferson Davis, Constitutionalist: His Letters, Papers and Speeches, Volume 1, p. 73

Brigadier-General Jefferson Davis to John M. Chilton and others, June 11, 1847

(From Vicksburg Weekly Whig, June 16, 1847.)

New Orleans, 11th June, 1847.

Gentlemen—Your letter of the 31st of May, conveying in the most kind and complimentary terms the wish of the citizens of Vicksburg and Warren county to receive the 1st Mississippi Rifles at a Barbecue, was received at this place.

We most sensibly feel your flattering attention to our approach, and hope to have the pleasure of meeting you at Vicksburg on Tuesday morning, the 15th inst.

To you, gentlemen of the committee, for the pleasing manner in which you welcome our coming, I return, on the part of the Regiment, the sincerest thanks.

Very truly, yours,

JEFF'N DAVIS.        

Colonel Mississippi Rifles.

John M. Chilton, Ch'n., A. H. Arthur, T. E. Robins, W. H. Johnson, N. D. Coleman, E. J. Sessions, W. C. Smedes, J. Jenkins, M. C. Folkes, N. B. Batchelor, C. J. Searles.

SOURCE: Dunbar Rowland, Editor, Jefferson Davis, Constitutionalist: His Letters, Papers and Speeches, Volume 1, p. 73-4