| Quarter Master General's Department |
| Richmond, Feb 11th 1864 |
| |
| President Jefferson Davis |
| |
| Mr. President, |
| I have the honor to return
herewith a letter of Hon. H. V. Johnson, covering a communication from
His Excellency Govr Brown of Georgia, referred to me "for
report." I beg leave also to enclose a copy of my letter of 21st
January 1864, to General J. E. Johnston, and the report of Lt. Col.
Sims, touching the subject matter of these letters. I have but little
to add to what is contained in the two papers last named, as they give
all the facts and figures which seem to be necessary. |
| The action of this
Department, in reference to the supply of rolling stock to Railways in
need, has not been what Govr Brown appears to indicate. The
arrangements to secure Stock, which has been withdrawn from territory overrun
by the enemy, have generally been made between the two roads
interested, the Agents of the Government intervening and mediating to
ascertain where the Stock is most needed, and to assist in settling
the terms etc. etc. A large proportion of the Stock thus leased or
hired by the other Roads has been brought through Atlanta, and
remained at or near that point for many weeks. If this deficiency on
the Western & Atlantic Rail Road was foreseen by Govr Brown, he
had abundant opportunity to secure the necessary Stock, then lying
idle at one terminus of his road, and this Department would gladly
have assisted in the negotiation. But it is evident that no such
necessity existed, either in the opinion of Govr Brown or any official
of the Government connected with Railway Transportation. |
| The trains called for by Govr
Brown can be furnished by taking them away from the line between
Georgia & Virginia; but I fear the result would be disastrous to
the supply of the Armies in the latter State. As to the claim that the
Confederate Government should return what has been lost by the
exigencies of war, it is simply asking what it is impossible to
perform, even though it should appear that Colonel Sims is mistaken,
and that heavy losses to this Road have been occasioned by the orders
or interference of Confederate Officers. |
| A. R. Lawton, Q. M. Genl. |
|