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To His Excellency Neil S. Brown,
Dr Sir,
Yours of 30 Ult. to Genl Caswell, in reference to the arms in my charge at this place was handed me a few days since and I hasten to reply at my earliest moment of leisure. It would require more time than I can possibly spare, just now, from the duties of my office (being [only?] a short time before the sitting of the Chancery Court) to make my answer as explicit and satisfactory as I could wish. From such investigation as I have been able to make I should say that the number of guns on hand was something over thirteen hundred - perhaps thirteen hundred and twenty five - most of which are in good order with bayonettes attached. There are only thirty one swords and nine pistols. The cartride boxes, bults, vices, screw -drivers &c. are in boxes and are perhaps as numerous as the guns, swords &c.
These guns were taken out of the possession of my predecessor Col Crozier, I think, by order of Gov. A.N. Brown and delivered to Gens. H. Harris and A.R. Crozier with whom a contract was made under an act of the Legislature, for cleaning them & putting them in order. I have never been called on to receipt for them.
Genl Caswell informs me that 100 Guns &c, were delivere,d to (?) Capt Wales then of Rogersville, and some 500 were sent to Memphis about the time that the first of our volunteers left for Mexico. During the rendezvous of the Regiment of Volunteers at this place , and before my appointment, a number of guns were delivered by order of Genl Gillispie to the citizens who formd a guard for the protection of the town. These has been but one of the
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Hoping that the above information may be sufficient for your present purpose
I am most respectfully Your Obdt Servt Cmd J. McClung Ass Sr M Gaul
