| Quarter Master General's Department |
| Richmond, Feb 11th 1864 |
| |
| Major E. Taylor Chief Qr Mr |
| Longstreet's Corps |
| Morristown, Tenn. |
| |
| Major, |
| In forwarding to you the
enclosed endorsement of Major Carrington on your telegram in reference
to the supply of corn in the vicinity of General Longstreet's Army, I
desire to say that the announcement made by you has taken all the
authorities here by surprise. One of the strong inducements to keep
that Army in its present position, was to make use of the (supposed)
abundance in that country; and General Johnston's urgent appeals to
the War Department to return to his command certain Divisions of
Cavalry now with you, were resisted on the ground that forage could be
supplied there more readily than at or near Dalton. It now turns out
however that corn at Macon Geo. (the common point) instead of being
transported two hundred {miles} to
Dalton, must make almost a circuit of the Confederacy, and after
traveling about 1,200 miles, return to General Longstreet's Head
Quarters not much if any over two hundred miles in a straight line
from the initial point (Macon). |
| Whether corn goes from a
depot in Virginia, at which it has been accumulated, or comes all the
way from Georgia, the principle is the same as the supply in Virginia
is sufficient for the Armies operating within its limits. I feel
confident that the Rail Road transportation of the country will not
permit General Longstreet's Army to be fed many weeks in this manner.
I still hope that some more supplies can be obtained in East Tennessee
for that Army and have directed Noble, and Officer of great energy and
experience, to report forthwith to General Longstreet for the purpose
of giving his undivided attention to this object. I trust that his
assistance will provide valuable to you. |
| A. R. Lawton, Q. M. Genl. |
|