Lieutenant Colonel George Talcott to William L. Marcy, May 5, 1847

(From Vicksburg Sentinel, August 18, 1847.)

Ordnance Office,        

Washington, 5th May, 1847.

Hon. W. L. Marcy,
        Secretary of War:

Sir: In relation to the letter of the Governor of Mississippi, referred to this office, asking that certain Volunteers from that State be allowed to retain the arms which they have used so efficiently in Mexico, I have the honor to report as follows: With every disposition to gratify the rational desire of the soldier to retain in his possession the weapon, with which he has so successfully fought and gained imperishable renown, there is no power in this Department to thus dispose of public property. One thousand Percussion Rifles were issued to the Regiment commanded by Col. Jefferson Davis. How many have been lost or destroyed in service, is not known. The alternative proposed by Governor Brown, that these arms be issued to the State of Mississippi under the law of 1808, as a part of her quota, may be adopted provisionally, and the whole number stand charged to that State until the losses are ascertained, or until legislation shall be had in the case.

The number of muskets usually apportioned to the State is about three hundred and fifty, so that it would absorb the allotment for three years, were the whole number issued to remain charged to the State.

The letter of Governor Brown is returned herewith.

I am, sir, respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

G. TALCOTT,    

Lt. Col. Ordnance.

SOURCE: Dunbar Rowland, Editor, Jefferson Davis, Constitutionalist: His Letters, Papers and Speeches, Volume 1, p. 91