| Quartermaster General's Department |
| Richmond, Dec 9th 1863 |
| |
| Capt. Thomas R. Sharp |
| AQM |
| Columbia, S. C. |
| |
| Sir, |
| The attention of this bureau has been
called to the fact that 787 bales of cotton, being 320,037 pounds of
cotton were transported from Kingsville to Wilmington over the
Wilmington & Manchester Road {approximately
21 carloads}; that this cotton was transported, as public
property, by your order as an Assistant Quarter Master "on
Government Locomotion & Cars"; that it was, in fact, private
property; and that a similar order was given by your for its
transportation over the South Carolina Rail Roads. |
| It is also stated that the full local
tariff for its transportation, over the Wilmington & Manchester
Rail Road was paid by Colonel Blanton Duncan upon his being solicited
to do so; and that the transportation order addressed to the South
Carolina Rail Road is still outstanding as a charge against the
Government. |
| You are placed in possession of the
foregoing abstract of the statements made in regard to this
transaction that a full report may be made by you upon the subject, in
all its details. This report you are requested to return to this
office at the earliest time practicable. |
| It appears from several papers signed by
you, as Assistant Quarter Master, and others which bear your
signature, as Superintendent of the Charlotte & South Carolina
Rail Road, that you discharge the duties of both these positions. You
are requested to report by what authority you have, while an Officer
of this Department, acted in the latter capacity, and discharged
duties of such distinct, if not irreconcilable character, as belong to
these respective positions. |
| A. R. Lawton, Q. M. Genl. |
|