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[seal]
Private.
Jackson 27th July 64
Dear Governor;
Col Hood having a few days respite, I have requested him to ride up to Macon & make you a full report regarding the State troops you have been kind enough to confide to my Command. I placed them under Col. Hood & with my old Regt. in order that they might have the benefits of thorough discipline & drill in camp, with the assistance and example of well trained & gallant troops in action. Col. Hood has labored very savantly in their instruction and with the most gratifying results. In the late actions, with the enemy they behaved with great gall-antry.
In the attack on the enemy at Grand Gulf Major Peyton was unfortunately captured and is now held in Vicksburg on parole. In
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a very courteous correspondence with Genl Slocum, the Federal Commander at Vicksburg, he has consented to make direct exchanges with me, of which I have already availed myself on three occasions, to the extent of about 75 non Commissioned officers & privates altogether; but he hangss firm on the exchange of officers, pleading his want of authority, and announcing his purpose to send them north. Being very desirous of securing the early return of Major Peyton to his command I have sent down a Yankee transfer to Vicksburg, who will doubtless assist my argument in favor of an immedi-ate exchange.
Genl Lee has habitually manifested an [?] indifference to the protection of this part of our State, ordering its limited force to a mere handful at critical periods, and leaving them with most inadequet forces for its defence. This policy has subjected him
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to forces [?] on the part of our people here [page torn], many believing that his administration of the State has been ^almost^ as disastrous as Pemberton. His dep=arture is a fortunate Event in This [?], and I [send?] [under?] the kind Dept. Commander with Confidence will prevail.
I ordered Capt. Armstrong to report here with [?] [?], and have just fifty [?] under Capt. Br-adford. to scout on the River & protect that District. This forces in addition to Capt. [?] Scouts of 35 or 40 men.
I have written unofficially & [?] [fondly?] and only regret that I cannot be with you for a few hours to confer with you fully about the defence of our State regarding which I know your [?] [?] & [?]
I am Governor Very respectfully Your friend & svt
Govenor Charles Clark
