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I beg to add, in conclusion, that the appointment of Judge Mason, had been made, by me
before any applications, or recommendations, from Mobile, were submitted.
Very truly, Yours.
(signed) Jn^o Gill Shorter.

Executive Department;
Montgomery, Ala. May 7th, 1863.
Hon. Enoch Alldridge, Brooksville, Blount Co. Sir; I herewith hand you a Commission, as
special Aid-de-Camp, with the rank of Colonel of Cavalry; While on duty, you will receive pay
according to your rank. I enclose you, also, my Proclamation, or "Appeal to the People of
Alabama," issued on 22^d December last, urging the people to organize volunteer companies
of State-Guards, for Home & local defense. At the time this appeal was sent-out, our people were
so confident of their Security, or insensible to danger, that they paid little or no attention to it. Recent
events have opened their eyes, and they are now looking round for means of defense.
Companies are being formed in many parts of the State, & I hope the good work may go on, until
all, who are able, may enroll themselves in some organization or other. I desire you to enter, at once
upon the duty of an active Canvass of your County - and adjoining Counties, & urge the
formation of infantry & cavalry, or mounted infantry, in accordance with my
Proclamation - herewith enclosed. The men will supply their own arms, & I will
furnish ammunition. This can be had, on application to Maj^r Gen^l Huey, or Col. John T.
Morgan at Talladega. §. The recent raid of the Enemy, through Blount, & other Mountain
Counties, shews the stern necessity of active efforts, for organization, in order that our people
may be prepared for any emergency, which may occur. The Enemy are pursuing a
mode of warfare, unparalleled in civilized Countries, & they should have no quarter, when
wandering from their lines, & roaming over the land, to desolate our homes & firesides. I have
demanded, as civil prisoners of State, under the President's order, all Yankee officers, taken in
Alabama - serving with ^armed^ Slaves, inciting insurrection, & if surrendered to me, they shall be
guarded in the Penitentiary, until the Courts are convened to try them. I would prefer,
however, that, when caught in such barbarous warfare, no prisoners should be taken.
I have advised Gen. Huey, as to the necessity of establishing a line of Couriers,
extending from Talladega, over the Mountains, into the Tennessee Valley, through whom, rapid
transmission of any important intelligence might be made. He will communicate
with you, on this Subject. And you will, likewise, communicate with Colonel
Arthur Baird - My regular aid in North Alabama. §. Relying on your zeal, and
patriotic devotion to the State, I am, resp^y, Your ob'^t Ser'^t
(Signed) Jn^o Gill Shorter. Gov^r of Ala.

Executive Department;
Montgomery, Ala. May 8th, 1863.
Mess^rs J. M. Pearson &
W. Page, Dadeville, Ala.
Gentlemen; I am, today, in rec'^t of your letter of the 5th inst. and, in reply, have to inform
you, that the requisition on Tallapoosa County, owing to the condition of its wants
and necessities, was post-poned for the purpose of giving the County the benefit of
all its slave-labor, until after the small-grain crop could be gathered; and I
had intended not to send it out until that time, but was induced to do so,
recently, on account of the urgent demand made upon me for mode[?] labor
at Mobile. I have, to day had an interview with Maj. Gen. Buckner, & the
information communicated induces the hope that the labor from your county
can still be spared, until after Harvest time; & concurring, fully, with you,
in the opinion, that it is a matter of prime importance, to save all the small
grain possible, I have to direct a suspension of the impressment of Slaves
in Tallapoosa County, until after the Harvest.
Yours, Respectfully,
(Signed) Jn^o Gill Shorter.

Executive Department;
Montgomery, Ala. May 4th, 1863.
Dr M. G. Moore, Warden, Ala. Penitentiary,
Sir; Tho^s Williams, Esq^r, Administrator of A. Burrowes, advises me that he has an
account against the Penitentiary, for the hire of the teams & drivers, from the death
of Dr Burrows, down to the purchase of the teams, by the State; and that as he