In the late summer of 1845, the War Department was concerned that General Taylor's army might be inadequate to deal with a Mexican attack. Accordingly, Secretary Marcy informed the governors of Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi that Taylor might require militia units from their respective states, although he would first draw volunteers from Texas. On August 28, the same letter was addressed to the governors of Tennessee and Kentucky.
WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, August 25, 1845.
SIR: General Taylor, to whom has been committed the command of the army of occupation in Texas, is authorized to draw any auxiliary force he may need from Texas. If such aid should be wanted, it is not doubted that the patriotic citizens of that State will rally to his assistance with alacrity, in sufficient numbers to enable him, in conjunction with United States troops, to repel the invasion of Texas by Mexico, should it be attempted. Though our information as to the force Mexico may bring into the field for such a purpose is not very accurate, yet there is reason to apprehend that it is more numerous than that under the command of General Taylor; and may, perhaps, exceed his effective force when augmented with the auxiliary aid he may derive from Texas. Besides, he may need additional troops to a greater number, and sooner than they can be furnished him from that State. Should he need assistance from your State, he is directed to signify to you the number and description of troops he may deem necessary to receive as volunteers into service. Relying upon the zeal and public spirit of the gallant militia of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, the government here do not doubt that he will be promptly furnished with such and so many as he may express a desire to have mustered into the service of the United States; and it has the most perfect reliance upon your countenance and co-operation in organizing and sending into Texas such a valunteer force from your State as he may desire. It is necessarily left to his judgment to designate the number. It is proper to observe, that the emergency rendering such assistance from the militia of your State necessary, does not appear to have been foreseen by Congress, and consequently no appropriation was made for paying them; but it is not to be doubted that such a provision will be promptly made when Congress shall again assemble. In order to be paid, the State troops must be mustered into service. In organizing companies and regiments for that purpose, the number of officers must be proportioned to that of the privates. Enclosed I send you, from the Adjutant General, a statement of the number and rank of officers for each company of men, as well as the regimental and staff officers, should a regiment of volunteers be called for. From the known patriotism and military ardor of the militia of your State., it is presumed that volunteers to the number that may be required will readily tender their services to their country in the contemplated emergency. Should aid from your State be required by the commanding general in Texas, it will be of the utmost importance that the troops should be sent into that State without delay. This consideration will render it proper that they should come from such part of the State as can most promptly furnish them.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. L. MARCY,
Secretary of War.
His Excellency BENJAMIN FITZPATRICK,
Governor of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
His Excellency A. G. BROWN,
Governor of Mississippi, Jackson, Mississippi.
His Excellency ALEXANDER MOUTON,
Governor of Louisiana, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Letters were also addressed on the 28th of the same month, to the governors of Tennessee and Kentucky, on the same subject, and in the same words as the above.
