[55] very inadequate to its successful defense against a fleet with heavy guns, and as the secretary of war made no provision for the proper supply of guns or ammunition, I deemed it my duty to purchase, with funds from the State treasury, the necessary supply, which was done at a cost of $101,521.43.The governor stated that during August and September no invasion was feared, but as the colder season came on apprehension was felt. He visited the coast and inspected the fortifications, and deciding that the measures of protection taken by authority of the Confederate States were insufficient, determined to call out State troops. In the early part of September he appointed George P. Harrison a brigadier-general, and ordered him to organize a brigade and arm it as far as means permitted with regular rifles, and the balance with good country rifles and shotguns, and to throw the men into camp of instruction near the coast. This brigade was rapidly formed and put in good condition, and F. W. Capers was then commissioned brigadier-general and assigned to the same duty. Subsequently a third brigade was formed by Brig-Gen. W. H. T. Walker. During this period of active military preparations, Ira R. Foster ably performed the duties of State quarter-master-general, and Col. J. I. Whitaker was commissary-general. Hon. Thomas Butler King had been sent to Europe as commissioner to arrange for a line of steamers for direct trade, under authority of an act of the legislature. In equipping Fort Pulaski and other fortifications, in arming and maintaining troops, and in all the various expenses of war, $1,000,000 had been spent. Among these expenditures was the purchase of steamers for coast defense. Commodore Josiah Tattnall, of Georgia, a famous naval officer who had assisted in opening China and Japan to commerce, had resigned from the old navy upon the secession of his State, and on February 28th was appointed senior flag-officer of the State navy, which then did not
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Atlanta, Ga. 1899.
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