| Head Quarters District of Texas &c. |
| Houston, October 14th 1863 |
| |
| Col. A. M. Gentry |
| Presdt Texas & N. O. R. Rd. |
| Houston, Texas |
| |
| Sir, |
| I am directed by Maj Genl
Magruder to inclose you the within copy of a letter addressed by you to
Mr R. J. Guthridge, who reports that private freight such a sugar &c is
detained by your Company at Beaumont, on the ground that you have
received orders from these Hd Qrs to transport no private freight. It is
thought that the order referred to is made use of to advance the object
of certain speculators who are desirous of purchasing the sugar. |
| The order of the Major Genl
Comdg directed that private freight might be transported whenever it did
not interfere with the rapid transmission of Government freight, and any
other construction placed upon it calculated to advance the interest of
one individual to the prejudice of another, will meet with his most
decided disapprobation. It has been reported that empty cars have been
sent from Beaumont to this place, when shippers were anxiously waiting
to get their freight off. The Maj Genl hopes that these statements may
be susceptible of explanation. |
| Very Respectfully Your Obt Svt |
| E B Pendleton |
| Major &c |
|