Sir: Your letter of the 15th instant, in which you make the request that I will forward to you such arms as may be at my disposal for defense of our northern frontier, has been handed to me by Colonel Hunt and Captain Buckner.
In reply, I beg leave to state, and I do so with much regret, that it is utterly impossible for me to comply with your request.
There are no arms belonging to the State at my disposal; all have been exhausted arming the volunteers of the State now in the Confederate service in Virginia, at Pensacola, and on our own coast β in all some twenty-three regiments.
Georgia has now to look to the shot-guns and rifles in the hands of her people for coast-defense, and to guns which her gunsmiths are slowly manufacturing.
I deeply regret this state of things, for to respond to your call with the arms you need would afford me the greatest gratification.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Joseph E. Brown.
The Governors of these two great States felt that their coasts were more immediately threatened, and that the defense of them was of more vital importance than an obscure and distant danger in Kentucky, and trusted to fortune for the protection of the postern to their citadel. General Bragg's reply discusses the aspects of the situation so well, for the most part, that it is here given entire:
headquarters, near Pensacola, Florida, September 27, 1861.
dear Sir: Colonel D. P. Buckner called on me yesterday in behalf of yourself and our great cause in Kentucky.
His accounts of our affairs there are by no means cheering; but, with the blessing of Providence and your exertions, we yet expect a great deal in that direction.
It is in my power to do but little for you. We have no spare arms, and are still deficient in ammunition.
I have men, and can get any number; and those who have been with us some months are well-instructed, fine soldiers.
Weeks ago I offered four of these regiments to the President for an equal number of new men, believing that the cause would be advanced by such a move.
This was all I could do, and all I can do now; but no reply has reached me, though I learn from an officer who has been to Richmond that the department thinks the short time my men have to serve would not justify the expense.
Upon hearing this, I again wrote, requesting that I might offer the alternative to them, satisfied a very large proportion will stay βfor the war.β
To this I ought to hear very soon.
The mission of Colonel Buckner will not be successful, I fear, as our extreme southern country has been stripped of both arms and men. We started early in this matter, and have wellnigh exhausted our resources.
Besides, there is a general apprehension of invasion this fall and winter, and every means in the country is being devoted to defense β some of it very injudiciously.
Mobile and New Orleans are being fortified at great expense, when they should be defended in Kentucky and Missouri.
The unfortunate state of affairs which has caused our troops to fall back in the latter State is deeply to be deplored.
We are bound to accept it as necessary, though we may not see the reason.
It would have been a great diversion 