| Salisbury N. C. Feb 26th 1865 |
| |
| Lt Col Jno M Otey |
| Asst A. A. Gen |
| Charlotte NC |
| |
| Col., |
| To prevent any
misunderstandings concerning the ammunition which has been the subject
of our late dispatches permit me to make the following statement. On the
night of the evacuation of Columbia while waiting at the Rail Road depot
{Charlotte & South Carolina RR} for the
lead and other supplies which Major Treszevant ordered to have sent down
but which he failed to do in consequence of the waggons and teams
promised him by the Quarter Master never reaching the Arsenal, I
discovered upon the RR platforms 105 Boxes small arms cartridges. These
I directed my men to load in a car and occupy the same themselves
which they did. At 7 oclock am the car with the ammunition and men left
Columbia the town having been evacuated the previous night. Upon
examination of the boxes I discovered that I had invoiced the same
ammunition some weeks previous to Richmond and it had been returned by
Gen. Gorgas to meet the coming emergencies. My taking charge of the same
was simply to save it but officially I am not responsible for it. My
suggestion to you that it was in Charlotte and could be used if
necessary was made as a consequence of your dispatch to Capt. Benegon
for information. If the General and an ordnance officer ????? to be
assigned to that duty but at present I am on ??? duty and only subject
to the orders of Gen Gorgas. |
| I am Col |
| Very respectfully |
| Your obt sevt |
| W R Chambris |
| Major &c |
|