| Office of Chief Comissy for Miss |
| Meridian Nov 2d 1863 |
| |
| M B Pritchard Esq |
| Chf Eng & Genl Supt |
| Ala & Miss R R R |
| Demopolis |
| |
| Dear Sir, |
| Your communication of 2d inst
is received, requesting me to release a lot of Sugar seized at this
point, which belongs to the Ala & Miss Rivers Railroad Co. and was
purchased by them for the purpose of exchange for supplies for the road. |
| I have every disposition to
assist the Rail Road to secure supplies and feel the importance of doing
so. There are serious objections to the manner in which the roads
procure Sugar, which, if understood, would I believe be abandoned, and,
if this article is so indispensible, some other and bettter plan be
adopted to procure it, which might be done, costing them less, and at
the same time ??? other good ends. I would be glad it were, and would
ask to render all possible aid. The objectionable plan referred ot, is,
that while officers reporting to me an activity engaged in procuring
Sugar and other stores for the use of our troops. Throughout the State
we are in all parts met by speculators, who not only outbid us for the
supplies, but also for transportation, which we are obliged to him
largely for the Sugar purchased, and our ability to purchase & move
stores is greatly restricted in consequence, owing to the impressment of
many lots of Sugar in their hands, they are now engaged in secretly
hauling it to ??? and various points, and in case of apprehended danger
from the impressing officer, they hasten to make sale to Railroads or
others, who have some claims on the Government for its retention or
exemption from impressment. |
| I desire to stop this, and
would respectfully request your aid to do so. To permit its continuance
is but a slight blow against the "abuse of speculators," they will keep
at their trade, for when they sell to your company and other like
corporations, the do so for larger profit, and the hope of larger still,
if they escape attraction, induces them to continue in the trade. This
particular lot of Sugar was notoriously the property of speculators, it
had already changed hands at a considerable advance on the first cost,
and a large profit was realized upon the sale to you. I cannot
therefore, under the circumstances, release the property. |
| Very Respty Yours |
| W. H. Dameron |
| Maj & Chf Com of Miss |
|