| Head Quarters Defences of Wilmington |
| December 3rd 1863 |
| |
| Thos D. Walker |
| Presdt W. & M. R. R.
{Wilmington & Manchester RR} |
| Present |
| |
| Sir, |
| I have just received the following
dispatch from the chief of the corn bureau. |
| "On 13th Nov the W&M R. R. was fully
informed of necessity of army, pledged entire transportation to Govt
freight. Supt promised 5 trains for immediate removal of corn on his
line. By 15th he was informed in what depots corn was stored & quantity
in each reportedly service has been urged to its removal. He has removed
since 13th only 10998 bushels including 2700 bushels from Wilmington
under orders from Genl Whiting or 42 car loads; there remains 2500
bushels at Sumter, 1700 at Maysville, 5500 at Manchester, 2800 at
Florence {about 80 car loads}. Most of this
has been waiting shipment for months, Depots crowded & delivery delayed.
Genl Lees army in peril for want of corn. Ask Genl Whiting to order
proper officers to Manchester to provide transportation immediately for
above corn and for all Govt corn in future and if necessary for this to
stop pressing trains and use engines of such, and that he will direct an
officer under his orders to see that these orders is executed. If this
is done advise me of the name of the officer." |
| C. S. Carrington Maj & Q. M. |
| Without intending to interfere in general
with the management of the road I have to say that the state of things
reported by the Chief of the Corn Bureau cannot be tolerated. I take it
for granted that he is correct in his statement. I beg that you will
cause immediate steps to be taken to remedy this evil. Transport the
corn and thus make it unnecessary for me to stop the transportation of
all private and express freight whatever upon the road until the corn is
forwarded |
| Very Respy |
| W. H. C. Whiting |
| Maj Genl |