| Charlotte, Jany 18, 1864 |
| |
| Major S. B. French |
| CS |
| Richmond VA |
| |
| Major, |
| I wrote you from Raleigh
yesterday, & find on my arrival here that Major Echols' report to you
comprizes all the corn that has been received here except that mentioned
in the telegram I sent you today: "130 bags corn, some 80 bbs beef start
tomorrow to Major Claiborne. Four cars corn expected which will have
dispatched. No obstacles here, but reported at Charlotte Junction &
Kingville where I proceed." Major Echols understands that Major
Carrington had directed all Commissary corn from Georgia to be
forwarded via Wilmington & Corn for the Q Masters Dept. to be sent by
this the upper south & he expresses the opinion that they may have been
subject to detention at Wilmington. The beef mentioned in my
dispatch to you is a shipment from Major Lowe. Did not ascertain in
passing the company's shops last night if some of the shipments ??? ???
not laying over there as has frequently been the case, but I call the
attention of Majors Lowe & Echols to the subject who will see promptly
to it. |
| I have given official
instructions to the former & to Capt Reynolds to attend personally to
the securing & shipping all company stores going forward and to
telegraph to the next officer or agent whose bulk is broken whenever a
shipment is made, that cars may be in readiness to receive it, which
will I trust insure better dispatch hereafter. Major Echols assures me
that Comy property shall take precedence over all other freight in the
emergency. I am well pleased with both him & Major Lowe who are
efficient & excellent officers. |
| I proceed on my journey
tomorrow morning stopping at the Junction & Kingville that I may see how
matters are conducted there, & to ascertain if some of the heavy
shipments of corn are not resting neglectfully at one or both places. |
| Very Respectfully |
| W H Smith |
| Major & CS |
|