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From, “The Messages and Proclamations of the Governors
of the State of To the Senate and House of
Representatives From the Journal of the
House of Representatives, pp. 903-904 State of Senators and
Representatives Impelled by a sense of
duty, I again call your attention to the fact that at different points in the
State there are collected bands of from 50 to ----- each of the most
desperate characters that ever disgraced the form of man, thoroughly armed
and equipped, and awaiting only the favorable moment to commit such outrages,
robbery and murder as not even the bushwhackers’ dark history has heretofore
chronicled. I am preparing to break up
these lawless bands, and to bring to justice the outlaws who are thus defiant
of the civil authority. This I intend to do, whatever may be the untoward
circumstances in which I find myself involved. I again appeal to you to place at the
disposal of the military department the means necessary to subsist the force
which the actual condition of affairs indicate as likely to be indispensable
to the protection of the lives and property of the people from these
gathering organization of marauders.
The law must be upheld by the power of the sword, and this it shall
not want to make it felt and feared. I
require the means of subsisting the necessary force, and for that and the
purpose of transportation, and such other incidental expenses as may be
necessary in the premises, I ask you to place a sufficient sum at my
disposal. Very Respectfully, Tho. C. Fletcher |