NA, CS 2/3/1864

Columbia, Feby 3, 1864
 
Major S. B. French
CS
Richmond VA
 
Major,
   I despatched to you this evening that the bulk of corn here had gone forward & that the remainder would follow by first train. I notice a material discrepancy between receipts & deliveries of corn & I apprehend there are some onpple (?) trains lying over at some of the way stations. I would retrace to find them out myself, but I deem it more important to follow up the late heavy shipments & see that they go forward to you.
   I have however instructed Capt Armstrong at Macon, Capt Cranston & Capt Witherspoon to investigate this matter fully & report to me.
   The Express Company imposes more transportation than it ought, as you may infer from the following extract from the report of the Prest. of the Charlotte & S Ca Rd

Earnings from freights

From the Confd States $336,603.79
From private freight 270,544.36
From Express Company 186,281.86
   The amount paid by the Express Co being more than half paid by the Govt for all its transportation. I learn from Capt Sims that at Augusta this Co owns some 20 or 30 cars, Ought not these and any others they may have be impressed?
   I leave tomorrow for Charlotte.
Very Respectfully
W H Smith
Major & CS

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