| Chattanooga Tenn |
| Aug 21st 1862 |
|
|
| Rich M Cuyler |
| Capt Artillery & Ord |
| Commanding Macon Arsenal |
| |
| Dr Captain, |
| On my arrival in this place, I found
everything in connection with the Coal business "upside down and inside
out" the whole of the artillery, cavalry and baggage train of Genl.
Braggs Army had marched overland from Tupelo to Rome Ga and was then
being transported by rail to this place -- all cars were pressed into
service. the mines were obliged to stop not being able to get cars to
remove the Coal out of their way. the Bulk of the transportation is
however now over, and I shall be able to do something from this time
forward. I yesterday shipped one car load Lump Coal to the Columbus
works, via West Point R. R. this is our best route as it is some seventy
miles nearer than by the way of Macon. I have also got an order from the
supt. of the Atlanta & West Point R. R. to use all his coal cars 15 in
number (provided I can find them) for government purposes. |
| Messers Brown & Cowles having failed to
come up to their government contract, an Agent has been put here armed
with authority from Genl Mercer countersigned by Genl Bragg to seize any
and all cars to transport coal to Charleston & Savannah. he (the agt)
and I are however on intimate terms, and I shall not be interfered with.
there is also a half dozen other agents here watching & grabbing for
cars. I only mention this to show some of the troubles, in obtaining a
supply of coal. I will however continue to secure every car I can and
send them forward to Columbus, provided I can manage to keep alive in
this place, for a few days, the day I arrived here I could not get a
drop of water to drink -- none to wash in -- guards around all the wells
for the use of the soldiers and Hospitals nothing to eat, only what you
could pick upon the streets, (and then you must show a Pass at every
street corner) and Beds to sleep in are out of the question entirely. I
shall however stand it if possible. I will write you often as to how I
progress and hope soon to report better progress. |
| About 50,000 of Braggs Army have crossed
the River and are still working night and day in crossing they have no
means of crossing except two small steam Boats, and a old horse ferry
boat. |
| Yours Respectfully |
| W H McDowell |
|