| Hdqrs. Department of Ala., Miss., and East La. |
| Meridian, February 21, 1865 |
| |
| Brig. Gen. D. W. Adams |
| Commanding &c, Montevallo, Ala. |
| |
| General, |
| I am directed by the lieutenant-general
commanding to state to you that should the enemy move from
Pensacola, either upon Mobile or the interior, the cavalry of
General Maury's command east of the bay have been instructed to
resist his advance in front, and in case they are cut off from the
city to report to you for orders. In such event you will assume
control of them, and also of that portion of General Maury's
district which the intrusion of the enemy may isolate from him,
making proper provisions for the safety of all public property, and
for its timely removal, if necessary, to some secure point in
Georgia. The rolling stock of the railroad should also be cared for,
but in no event should either engines or locomotives be destroyed.
Where it is impracticable to remove these, the displacement and
preservation of some essential portion of the machinery will render
them useless to the enemy and invaluable to us when we again possess
the country. In the general removal of public property before the
advance of the enemy, you will except from the operations of this
order all hospitals and sick, whom the lieutenant-general commanding
desires to remain undisturbed. I am directed by the
lieutenant-general commanding to add, with regard to your garrisons
and fortified posts, that timely provisions should be made for
supplying them with the stores and munitions they will need during
the time you anticipate them to hold out.
|
| Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
|
| A. J. Watt
|
| Assistant Adjutant General
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|