Mobile Advertiser & Register
June 9, 1861
Page 2
To His Excellency Governor Moore.
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With entire respect for your Excellency, personally, and for the exalted position which occupy as the chief magistrate of the State of Alabama, I deem it my duty to the cause which we all have at heart to call your attention to the necessities of our local defenses; and while doing so to suggest to your Excellency, one who in the estimation of this community is eminently qualified from his experience in battle, his acknowledged courage, his manly character, to rally around him the fighting element of this section of the country.
I cannot for a
moment longer refrain mentioning the name of Capt. James Hagan of this city,
formerly an officer in the
May I ask your Excellency what qualities are most required in leaders, and at the same time assure you, that devotion to the cause of the South, exalted courage, experience in leadership, and robust health form some of the reasons why this gentleman should be selected by your Excellency to organize, embody and lead our forces against the enemy, should he make a descent on our shores.
I hope your Excellency will not permit nepotism or redtapeism to have a place in your counsels. Enquire of every gentleman you may meet, who is the proper man to command, recollecting that he who can command his own intellect in danger is the proper leader of soldiers.
Very respectfully, X.Y.Z.
[From same issue, separate but related story]
The communications of “X. Y. Z.” will attract attention. The suggestion in the last paragraph as to the manner in which appointments should be made is undoubtedly correct. The gentleman so warmly commended by our correspondent, saw service in the Mexican war, and received very marked complements for his military qualities from Capt. Jack Hayes.