Lot 363: JEFFERSON DAVIS' DRAFT CALL

JEFFERSON DAVIS' DRAFT CALL JAMES A. SEDDON 1815-1880) Confederate Secretary of War from 1862 until February 1865, when he was sacked because of his removal of Johnston at Atlanta. Important contemporary retained copy on C.S.A. War Department letterhead, 8pp. 4to., Richmond, June 6, 1863 to South Carolina Gov. Milledge Luke Bonham announcing Davis' call for 5,000 South Carolina troops. In small part: "...Under the instructions of the President, I have the honor to address you...The numerically superior armies of the enemy , confronting us in the field at all the most important points, render essential for success in our great struggle for liberty and independence greater concentration of our forces and their withdrawal in a measure from the purpose of local defense...Being the invaded country...it is impossible...to maintain...adequate forces at the numerous points where we may be attacked...reserves of our population...should be relied on for employment in the local defense...the Militia of the respective states might on occasion be called out, but this would be attended with the serious evil of being dilatory in execution...It may well be doubted whether at this stage of the war...the spirit of volunteering would be sufficiently eager and active...The President has therefore determined to make a requisition of the several States to furnish by an appointed time, for service within the State, and for a limited period of six months, a number of men proportionate to the relative population of each, unless the same [volunteer]...a draft will be made on all the militia...I am instructed by the President in his name to make on you a requisition for Five Thousand men...". Very good.