| Hd. Qrs Dept. Miss & E La |
| Jackson Feb 20 1863 |
| |
| His Excelly Gov. J. J. Pettus |
| Jackson |
| |
| Sir, |
| I beg to call your attention
to the accompany dispatch just received from Dr. Emanuel. It is quite
important in a military point of view to keep the rail road from this
point to Vicksburg in good running order, as it is to build
fortifications at the latter place. To defend Vicksburg successfully the
troops must be supplied with subsistence and ordnance stores and I
therefore have the honor to ask that you will at the earliest
practicable moment furnish me with three hundred negro laborers to work
on the Southern {(of Mississippi)} Rail
Road. |
| I have the honor to be Governor |
| Very Respy |
| Yr obt Servt. |
| J. C. Pemberton |
| Lt Genl Comdg |
|