Head Quarters 40th Reg E M of Ky.
Hickman Ky March 10^th 1864..

Major Gen^l D W Lindsey
Inspector General of Kentucky,
General,

It is a painful and humiliating admission, but one that I am compelled to make in all candor, that there is very little if any patriotism existent in the breasts of the citizens of this section of the state. When I wrote for the assurance from Head qrs, that if a company of Home Guards was formed here, and regularly mustered into the State Guard, they should not be called upon to do duty out of the County, it was upon the solemn pledge of some thirty-two men, and the assurances of others, that they would go into it at once. Immediately upon the receipt of your assurance, under date of the 26^th of February, I caused a notice to be put up, calling on the citizens to enroll their names and sign the requisite documents, preparatory to organization A copy of the notice is enclosed herewith, as also copies of the papers, which being kept open until last night at 12 o'clock, were only signed by nine men, I return the names of these Gentlemen, as an act of Justice to them, One of these Wade H Pyle is a returned co erced conscript, and a deserter from the Rebel army, but a soundly loyal man.

These then, so far as is thus evidenced, are the true men of the County liable to military duty. With this pregnant fact before me, how can I, but feel mortified, deeply senisbly mortified?

Like the people of England, they appear to be but traders; and for the purpose of driving their vocations, unlike them, are not even disposed to make an effort to defend themselves. They appear too, to have acted with base duplicity towards General Reed, Commdg the Dist of Cairo, as will appear from the following statement —

About the 24^th of February, Gen^l Reed detained a large quantity of goods destined for this place, at Cairo. The owners immediately proceeded to his Head Qrs, and in an interview had with him, he said- that if they would form a Company of Home Guards, and report the names of some forty or fifty members with their officers, he would issue provisional Commissions, and report the same to the Governor of the State, and that as soon as this was done, he would permit the transit of the goods. The question as to his right to do this, it is unnecessary to discuss- as it is sufficient to say, that they came down, and making up a list of some fifty eight or fifty nine names, with officers &c, they proceeded to Cairo, reported the same to the General and got their goods through. Since then, General Reed has sent down provisional Commissions; but to get the Company thus formed, together, is more than Capt Davis can do.

Acting in conjunction with him, I desired to get these men to do what was contemplated by General Reed, the formation of a Home Guard Company; and to this end, have been in correspondence with him on the subject, but to effect this patriotic purpose, has been beyond Capt Davis' utmost endeavours. Even under their voluntary association, he has failed to get them together, for drill or discipline The honest truth is, they got their goods, and now seem to be indifferent as to the result.

Such a state of things is lamentable, but how can it be helped?

All that remains for me to say is, that I hope and trust in God, the draft will be promptly ordered and enforced upon them.

With the renewed assurance that I am now and always shall be ready, to do everything in my power to maintain the integrity of the Union, one and indivisible, as well as to uphold the honor of Kentucky in whatever position I may be placed, and under the orders of my superiors.

I am General
Your Obt Servt

Geo C Hallet
Col Comdg 40^th Regt Ky. E. M.

Ky State Militia
Hickman Kentucky
March 10- 1864

Hallet. Geo. C
Col 40 Reg Ky E. M.

Gives the reasons why a company cannot be organized in his County and advises a draft

Rec I. G. O. Apl [...] 1864