NA, QM 12/13/1861

Quartermaster General's Department
Richmond, Dec. 13, 1861
 
Circular
   
Sir,
   I desire to effect with the various rail road companies in the Confederate States a clear understanding in respect to the transportation of Government supplies; and to secure, if practicable, uniformity of charges among them. To that end I invite your attention to the following propositions, with the request that you will communicate your acceptance, or other action thereon, at as early a day as possible. I propose that the Government shall pay the Rail Road Companies the rates established by the Chattanooga Convention, held on the 4th of October last; the companies in turn obligating themselves to abide by these rates; and to be held to strict accountability, for any damage to, or loss of freight, subject to the usual exceptions. The accounts of all companies that accept the proposition will be adjusted according to the rates referred to from Novbr. 1. This offer I feel satisfied is liberal enough so to compensate companies for the unusual wear and tear in their rolling stock, and to induce its acceptance.
A. C. Myers, Q. M. Genl.
 

Memo. of Chattanooga rates

1st Class Percussion caps, powder and fix ammunition, 45 cents per 100 lbs per 100 miles
2nd Class All the freights shipped for the Government except Live stock, Hay, Bran and the articles enumerated in 1st Class, at 20 cents per 100 lbs per 100 miles
3rd Class Live stock per car load -- $20 per car per 100 miles
4th Class Hay, Bran, per car load -- $20 per car per 100 miles

   For less than a car load of Live stock, the local rates of each road will be charged. The labor and expense of loading and unloading and the detention of the cars for the same being as much for short and for long distances, less than 100 miles will be charged as 100 miles. Distances greater than 100 miles at rates proportionate to above. The payments for Government service will be received in the Treasury notes or Bonds of the Confederate States.

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