Joseph T. Derry , A. M. , Author of School History of the United States; Story of the Confederate War, etc., Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States Military History: Volume 6, Georgia
Clement Anselm Evans, Ed.

Early in the spring I divided the State into four sections or brigades, intending if ,necessary to raise one brigade of volunteers in each section, and appointed one major-general and two brigadier-generals with a view to the prompt organization of one division in case of emergency. The position of major-general was tendered to Gen. Henry R. Jackson, who has lately gained a very important victory over a greatly superior force of the enemy in northwestern Virginia, who declined it in favor of Col. William H. T. Walker, late of the United States army, and a most gallant son of Georgia. I then, in accordance with the recommendation of General Jackson, and the dictates of my own judgment, tendered the appointment to Colonel Walker, by whom it was accepted. The office of brigadier-general was tendered to and accepted by Col. Paul J. Semmes for the Second brigade, and Col. William Phillips for the Fourth brigade. With a view to more speedy and active service under the Confederate government, Generals Walker and Semmes resigned before they had organized their respective commands. About this time our relations with the government of the United States assumed so threatening an aspect that I ordered General Phillips to organize his brigade as rapidly as possible, and to throw the officers into a camp of instruction for training that they might be the better prepared to render effective those under their command. This camp of instruction was continued for about two weeks and the officers sent home to hold their respective commands in readiness. This was the condition of our volunteer organization early in June, when the United States troops crossed the Potomac and invaded the soil of Virginia. Not knowing how soon a similar invasion of our own soil might be made by a landing of troops upon our coast, I ordered General Phillips to call his whole brigade into a camp of instruction, and hold them in readiness for immediate action should emergencies require it. This order was promptly obeyed by the energetic and efficient officer to whom it was given. General Phillips, assisted by Adjutant-General Wayne and Major Capers, the superintendent of the Georgia military institute, pressed forward