| Quartermaster General's Department |
| Richmond, May 11th 1864 |
| |
| Lt. Col. Jas. L. Corley |
| |
| Sir, |
| Hon. Mr. DeJarnette called in a few minutes
ago to say that in the event of our being unable to send to you
sufficient supplies of corn, you could obtain enough to keep you
going, from planters in his county, if we would pledge ourselves to
return it within a month; & he gave the enclosed list of the names
of parties who, he thought could each let you have one hundred barrels
on the conditions named. While we hope that it may be unnecessary for
you to draw upon these sources, yet it is a great relieve to us to
know that in case of necessity they will be available. You know that
our communication with the South is severed between this place &
Petersburg {the Richmond & Petersburg RR},
& again between P. & Weldon. Should our military movements be successful,
these communications may be reopened within three days. Meanwhile we
have made earnest efforts to organize the transportation from
Greensboro via Danville & have made such arrangements as will
secure us from 6000 - 7000 bush. per day {about
21 to 25 car loads}, provided we can keep the {Richmond
&} Danville Road free from Raiders. |
| Even here our efforts to keep you supplied
have been impeded by the movements of troops, for the telegraph
informs us that three trains on the Piedmont Road, intended to be
loaded with corn, were taken for transporting troops. I am thus full
in details that you may understand the difficulties I contend against
in my efforts to keep you supplied. I informed you last night that
1750 bush. of corn were here loaded on the cars {6
or 7 cars} for you, but the proximity of the cavalry of the
enemy render it unwise to risk either the cars or stores by running
out as yet. We will wait to be advised by you as to the points o which
you wish shipments to be made, as we are all in the dark as to your
movements. Meanwhile I have ordered one thousand bushels corn {about
4 car loads} to Gordonsville via Lynchburg. |
| A. R. Lawton, Q. M. G. |
|