Military: LETTER TO GEN. U. S. GRANT FROM WINN PARISH MEN; Winn, Louisiana Submitter: Greggory E. Davies Date: Sept. 1997 Source: ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** State of Louisiana Parish of Winn September 3, 1863 When, in consideration of the condition of our country and to make known our principles, it has obviously become necessary that we should embody ourselves for the protection of our homes , lives, and property: Therefore, we adopt and publish the following esolutions: Resolved, first, That we have undoubted evidence that the Confederate States are disigned to be very aristocratic and exceedingly oppressive in its form of government. Resolved, second, That we hold no further allegiance to the Confederate States except when overpowered and compelled by the sword. Resolved, third, That we believe the United States is the most democratic and best form of government now in existence. Resolved, fourth, That we are certain the State of Louisiana did not secede from the United States Government by a vote of the people. Resolved, fifth, That we have only been kept from our loyalty to the United States by the force of arms and oppression. Resolved, sixth, That we are willing to cordially welcome to our country the United States forces and flag of the Union. Resolved, seventh, That we use all available means to preserve the Union. Resolved, eighth, That we hold ourselves in readiness as a home guard company to assist the United States troops at any time in the protection of our homes, lives, and property. Resolved, ninth, That we send three men from this company as commissioners to the commander of the post at Monroe, or the nearest post, to make know these resolutions, to procure a United States flag, to procure arms and ammunition, and to make such other arrangements as the company may deem necessary for our defense. Resolved, tenth, That we sign our names to these resolutions, and we further swear we will pledge our lives and property and our sacred honor in their support. We further swear that we will receive this oath as legal and lawful. (Signed)Matthew Ussery, J. G. Kidd, George W. Young, James B. Holidy, R. L. Elliott, James Head, D. E. Gaar, John Parker, David Emmons, James Arnauld, J. S. Peoples, Emory Prenett, Wm. Thornton, F. R. Thornton, J. F. Bridges, J. A. Perkins, Enos A. Lucas, John F. Smith, H. F. Lacky, J. A. Lacky, R. M. Nettler, J. Allen, Thomas Higginbotham, C. M. Presley, James Thornton, B. Arnold, J. L. Hatten, B. Branch, L. Merit, Wm. Crump, G. Smith, J. A. Sherbett, J. J. H. Simpson, Isaac Parker, J. M. Smith, Rubin Parker, Robert Emons, J. R. Bradley, John C. Smith, O. M. Lewis, D. G. King, James Lewis, J. B. Adams, H. L. McCroslke, L. L. Thomas, P. H. Lewis, Jasper Emmons, Thomas Allen, Augustus Dyer, T. Branch, C. E. Jones, Wyley Head, John P. Head, Robert Crawford, Samuel Cambrell,Lofton Cambrell, U. W. Sledge, J. C. Adams, Redick Blake, B. G. Adams, L. L. Adams, W. S. King, S. Sauthern, James Hudson, J. M. Thornton, Jesse W. Wright, S. E. Hart, H. C. Tatum, J. M. McKaskle, A. J. Perkins, P. H. Lewis, D. C. Kirkland. (The above letter was taken from the Official Records of the War of Rebellion, Chapter XLII, entitled "Correspondence, Etc.--Union". There has been much discussion concerning this letter as many of these men had served the Confederacy, many were slaveholders, and many went on to serve the Confederacy following the date of the letter. Some speculate that this letter was written shortly after the fall of Vicksburg and fear was in the hearts of many that Grant might make a march through Winn Parish. Others believe that it came during the time that Howard "Dog" Smith, a Confederate conscription officer was in power in the parish and as a rebuttal to his notorious deeds inflicted on people of the parish. Still others contend that Winn had extremely pro-Union sentiment. All of these views are possible. The following letter is copied from the same source and was written by General Grant to General H. W. Halleck, Commander in Chief of the U. S. Forces. Needless to say, many of the names of these Winn Parish men are misspelled.) Vicksburg, Miss. September 29, 1863 General H. W. Halleck, Commander in Chief U. S. Forces, Washington, D. C.: MY DEAR GENERAL: I have returned from New Orleans, arriving here on the 16th instant, and am still confined to my bed, lying flat on my back. My injuries are severe, but still not dangerous: my recovery is simply a matter of time. Although fatiguing, I will still endeavor to perform my duties, and hope soon to recover that I may be able to take the field at any time I may be called on to do so. I have just read General Sherman's private letter to you, but do not fully coincide with the general as to the policy that should be adopted toward these people. While I believe with him that every effort should be make to fill up our thinned ranks, and be prepared to meet and destroy their armies wherever found, I think we should do it with terms held out that by accepting they could receive the protection of our laws. There is certainly a very fine feeling existing in the State of Louisiana and in most parts of this State toward the Union. I inclose you copies of resolutions sent me by citizens of both Louisiana and Mississippi, showing something of this feeling. If able to write myself I should write much more at length on this subject, but being compelled to dictate for another to write I will be brief, and should I recover in a short time sufficiently to write, I will address you again. Yours truly, U. S. Grant Major-General (The above letter was written by General Grant and the "inclosures" he mentioned contained the letter from the Winn Parish men shown above.)