MONTGOMERY, ALA., April 15, 1861.
Hon. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War, Montgomery:
SIR: Very unexpectedly I find myself a prisoner of war at this place. May I be permitted to request that you will do me the kindness to inform me of the grounds upon which I am so detained?
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN L. WORDEN,
Lieutenant, U. S. Navy.
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PENSACOLA, April 15, 1861.
L. P. WALKER:
Mail steamer Galveston from New Orleans this morning. I have taken possession of her. One United States ship arrived last night.
BRAXTON BRAGG,
Brigadier-General.
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MONTGOMERY, April 15, 1861.
General BRAGG, Pensacola:
Merchant vessels belonging to citizens of United States must be permitted to 
depart without interruption. Strict surveillance, however, regarding dispatches from fort and fleet to Washington Government. Caution your own men against writing, or sending, as to what you are doing.
L. P. WALKER.