| Williamsboro NC, October 12th 1864 |
| |
| Major S. B. French |
| CS |
| Richmond VA |
| |
| Major, |
| I hoped to have updated to you
ere this, but on reaching my home I was severely indisposed from a cold
contracted on leaving Mobile, which, with several nights of continuous
travel in wet & chilly weather, terminated in inflammation of the chest
& ???. I have been quite idle, and am yet the convalescent, confined to
my home. |
| With reference to the bacon in
charge of Mr Simons that had been offered for sale in Columbia, I had,
after writing you from that point another interview with that gentleman.
I asked him if he knew a Mr Kenneth, the person who had offered his
bacon for sale, he did not. I asked him again if he knew a gentleman
named Capers, who I understand had some connection with him in this
bacon. He replied that his friend Col Cahiers of Charleston was with him
at Macon, and through him he was enabled to purchase bacon for
himself, which he was allowed to do to the extent of two or three
thousand pounds, and that possibly he (Col. Cahers, nott then in the
city) had offered his bacon for sale: he had no means but those afforded
by his salary, which was inadequate to his support in Richmond, and his
p?? was when he got his bacon to Richmond to sell it for the highest
price he could obtain, and to apply the profits to the payment of his
board. There was an air of hones simplicity in this young man that
pleased me, I believe he was utterly unconscious of any impropriety in
all that he had done on his own account, but you have in this, another
instance of the abuse to which the letters of authority to buy supplies
are liable. He remarked to me that he had in charge some private stores
of the Honble Mr Trenholm which he would like to go forward with the
bacon, to which I offered no opposition. |
| Of one thing I am satisfied,
there is nor old bacon enough in the country within your reach to carry
the troops to the new, and you will have to depend upon importations.
Pickled pork & beef in barrels or tierces will be better than bacon. No
loss accrues in their shipment. They are more conveniently handled, and
there will be no delay about weight in transportation. |
| I do not approve the
suggestion of Major Reid at Wilmington to Capt Abrams to allow a per
centage to Rail Roads so as to avoid the delays of weighing bacon. There
is no loss in transporting bacon in the winter months. Receipts for the
number of pieces will afford adequate protection. |
| Referring you to the
accompanying communications, which embody my proceedings, with
suggestions that have commended them to my own ???. |
| I am Major |
| Very Respectfully |
| W H Smith |
| Major & CS |
|