| Savannah May 3rd 1864 |
| |
| Capt. Jno. McCrady |
| Chief Engineer State of Georgia |
|
Savannah, Ga.
|
| |
| Captain, |
| We have the honor to state that we are
unable to procure by purchase or otherwise either corn or long forage
for our teams engaged on the Florida Rail Road connection, and to
request that we be allowed to purchase from the Qr. Mr. |
| We have tried to purchase at every point
on the Railroads in Georgia and Florida within such distance from the
location of our work as would make the cost of transportation equal to
the cost of the forage. The planters have uniformly refused to sell
for Confederate money or even to exchange corn for salt. As according
to the contract the Government is bound to furnish transportation for
our supplies, we have thought it the intent of the Government to
permit us to purchase from the nearest Quartermaster, instead of
paying transportation to an amount equal to or greater than the
original cost of the article transported, and our application is
grounded upon this consideration. Supposing it decided that we must
endeavor to purchase at more distant points than those already tried,
it is nearly certain that we will be met by the same unwillingness to
sell on the part of the planters, and unless some arrangements can be
made like that proposed above, we will be then unable to carry on the
work. |
| We require at present, forage for (14)
fourteen animals, but the number will be necessarily increased as the
work progresses. |
| Very Respectfully |
| Yr Obd't Servants |
| Spratt & Callahan |
| Contractors |
| |
| {on the back of the document} |
| C. S. Engineer Office |
| Savannah May 8th 1864 |
| Respectfully referred to Lt Col Meriwether |
| Jno. McCrady |
| Capt & Chf. Eng S. Ga |
| |
| Savannah Ga |
| May 12th, 1864 |
| Respectfully referred to Major Genl J. B. Gilmer with
request that authority be given to nearest Quartermaster, during the
continuance of the work, and that the number of horses for which he
may be allowed to purchase forage, be increased upon the certificate
of Lt. J. M. Fairbank if the additional number of horses placed on the
work. |
| Lt Fairbank will be in immediate charge of the work
& will be ??? of the facts. |
| Minir Meriwether |
| Lt. Col. Engineer P. A. C. S. |
| & Commissioner |
| |
| Head Qrs. Savannah |
| May 13th 1864 |
| Respectfully referred to the Qr. Mr. General. Spratt
& Callahan are employed as contractors by commissioners for
collecting & distributing iron in constructing the Railroad from
Lawton to Live Oak a connection of immediate and pressing importance.
I therefore ask that authority be given to the local Quartermaster to
sell the forage needed for the animals employed. It cannot be had
through the ordinary channels of purchase. As time is important I have
ordered the Quartermaster of the Dis't of Georgia to direct the local
Qr Mr to sell forage to these contractors for (1) month anticipating
the action of your Dept. |
| ??? J. F. Gilmer Maj Genl |
| Comdg |
| |
| Hd Qrs Dept S. C. Ga. &c |
| Charleston May 18th 1864 |
| Respectfully forwarded to ??? Q Mr. Genl. for his
approval. This is a very important work and it should be completed as
soon as possible. |
| Therefore I ask that you will give the necessary
authority to this party to purchase the forage as requested. |
| Saml Jones |
| Maj. Genl. Comdg. |
| |
| Q. M. G. Office |
| May 29th 1864 |
| Respectfully retd ??? Maj Gen Jones. The privilege of
purchase will be allowed as recommended by Col Meriwether if the
supply will admit. |
| By Order of Q. M. Genl. |
| W. F. Alexander |
| Maj & Asst to Q. M. Genl. |
| |
| Chf. Q. Mr. Office |
| Mil. Dist. |
| Savannah, June 14th/64 |
| Respectfully referred to Maj H. M. Davenport Q. M., who
will in accordance with the authority herein granted by the Q. M.
Genl. continue the sale of forage to the parties for the animals
engaged upon this work, as long as they shall be employed in this way. |
| B. M. McKinnan |
| Chf Q. M. Mil Dist Ga |