The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-09-21

Extracts From the Letter Book of Govern
or Ellis Embracing the First Months
of the Civil War-Geperal HIS Re
port of the First Battle
Messenger Bureau, Park Hotel,

VI Ahc " ~ Nv
! port of the First Battle
Messenger Bureau, Park Hotel,
Raleigh, y, c., September is.
} The following are additional extracts
from Governor Ellis letter book:
Under date of April 18th, President
John Janney, of the Virginia secession
convention, wrote Governor Ellis the
following: Il have the honor to trans
nit you a copy of an ordinance of Sc
cession passed yesterday by the con-
vention. The fact of secession has been
made public, but the convention deems
it proper for the present that the or
dinance should lot be published"
! May 9Th, the governor appointed
General Clingman to represent this
state in the confederate congress at
Montgomery.
! April 22nd this letter was written to
Major G.. w. Caldwell: "Reposing ev-
cry confidence in your we'll known de-
votion to the cause Of the south, and
h interests Of North Carolina, 1 re-
quest that O will taxi charge Of the
mint at Charlotte as superintendent,
with all property belonging thereto, in
GLIDING the funds of every description
now on deposit, and that you will pro-
! coed to conduct the operations in the
same manner as you have heretofore
done under the late government. The
colonel commanding in charge has
| hoop incfr,1otod 70 6o1ivor the nrnnorty
into your custody, merely maintaining
a sentry guard"
May 1st, the governor wrote a long
address to the legislature, or rather to
it's members, saying the safety of the
state demanded that it should be con-
vened, at an unusual period. 1t was a
long address and one of the points was
that mot until March 4, 1861, had any
president ever sought to use the mill
tsry a v as a posse comitatus."
The same day the governor issued a
proclamation to the sheriffs to hold an
election May 18th on the question Of a
convention May Goth, and he quoted the
legislative act calling such convention.
May 3rd, in a message to the legisla-
ture, the governor said that divers un-
patriotic persons ave issued civil pro-
cess against sundry persons who are
now enlisted in the public service for
the purpose of defending their cOun-
try against an enemy now blockading
our ports and threatening to yad
our soil. now or duty are
harassed by writs in the hands of the
sheriff of Wake, issued upon various
pretences and in some instances there
is good reason to believe issued merely
with the view Of compelling the defend
ants to enter into unjust compromises"
He then recommended that a law be
passed prohibiting the service of any
kind of civil process Upon any person
who enlisted in the states military
service during his term and for one
year thereafter. In conclusion the
governor said: Property of every spe-
cies has greatly deprecated in value
gold and silver are not to be had and
therebis neither morality nor justice in
allowing the few persons who may be
disposed to take advantage of a great
public calamity to impoverish their fell
low citizens for their own gain" So it
will be seen, the troubles Of a war be-
gan before there was war. and before
the state had even seeded.
G. c. Moore, moderator of the North
SdIOllIld bdplISl ASSoSldllcI. ulldCl
date of May Is, wrote the governor,
transmitting resolutions which had
been adopted by the Chowan Baptist
Association. These asked the governor
to set apart a day of fasting and pray
er for the averting of civil war. They
also admired and praised the heroisn
and devotion manifested by the patriots
who are volunteering by thousands tc
do battle in defence of our liberties, oul
,aJ;~;oo I'D o,~ GrnrsIoc1 nr1 nv
pressed the hope hat North Carolina
would soon join the confederacy.
May 18th is the date of the following
letter from r. E. Lee, major genera
commanding Virginia forces" Il re
greet not having had the pleasure OF
seeing you when I did myself the honor
to all on you during your visit Il
Richmond. l desired, among othel
things to ask whether there were any
carriages and field guns, caissons, etc.
at the arsenal at Fayetteville which
could be spared from the service o.
your state. and in that event to reques
that same be forwarded here for ser
vice in Virginia, as they are mucf
needed. and the manufacture of then
: proceeds slowly. l hope you will par
/ don this liberty 1 have taken on tn
: plea of public service" The governor
tICpIiCo ol may Til ilS tiBdl l. u
) inquiring of Colonel Bradford, chief O
Jul ordnance, / find there are no guI
carriages at the arsenal which woult
be suitable for your purpose. I hav'
! ordered same to be made, howeve
which will require time. 1 have thre'
batteries Of bronze pieces, in perfec
order, and have directed them to b.
mounted at once. Indeed. two hav'
been partially mounted for some weeks
I will send them to Virginia very soor
IL desired. Besides those, / have twent,
to thirty 6 Inc ~12-pounder guns, mos
Of which are in good order. I regre
exceedingly my absence when you call
ed on me in Richmond. / was particu
larly anxious to have seen you and (.
talk over matters with you Of interes
to both the states OF Virginia anS
North Carolina. Two of our VOLUNTEER
fragments have gone forward to Rich