| Quartermaster General's Department |
| Richmond, Feb. 16th 1863 |
| |
| Maj. T. L. Bransford |
| Quarter Master |
| Chattanooga |
| |
| Sir, |
| I reply as follows to your inquiries of
the 1st and 2nd instant relative to the responsibility of officers
receiving and forwarding Army Supplies by Rail Roads. |
| The forwarding officer takes the receipt
of the Road for what he delivers. The receiving officer receipts only
for what is received. In the event of any discrepancy, the forwarding
officer is protected by the receipt of the Rail Road Company with whom
the responsibility rests for the loss. Every instance of loss thus
occurring should be reported, with the evidence supporting it, to this
office, that the value of the property lost may be charged in the
settlement of the transportation account of the Company in fault. The
fact that a messenger may be in charge of the supplies does not alter
the case, so far as the responsibility of the Roads is concerned.
Messengers are sent only to expedite as far as possible the delivery
of the property. |
| A. C. Myers, Q. M. Genl |
|