| Quartermaster General's Department |
| Richmond, Sep. 8, 1863 |
| |
| Major Thos M. Le Barron |
| QM |
| Mobile Ala |
| |
| Sir, |
| The Inspection Report of Lieutenant
Colonel E. M. Lean, made in pursuance of Special Order No 148 from the
Adjutant & Inspector Generals Office, touching the affairs of this
Department at the Post of Mobile, has been received by me and suggests
the following points for correspondence with you, as the Principal
Quarter Master at that place. |
| ***** |
| Colonel McLean also notes difficulty in
connection with the settlement of the Transportation accounts of Rail
Road Companies. The Augusta rates referred to have never been generally
adopted. Should you still need specific instructions on this point,
apply to this office and they will be forwarded. To one thing, however,
I must call your attention. You have two clerks, engaged in settling
these Rail Road accounts, who receive all their compensation from the
Companies, whose accounts they audit. This is wrong, as it virtually
enables the Companies to settle their own accounts. The origin of this
peculiar state of things is explained in the report; still it should
cease. If the parties employed are not subject to Military duty, or can
produce Surgeon's Certificates of disability, make it known to me, and I
will authorize you to retain their services, as Employees of the
Department. Otherwise competent persons must be obtained in some other
way, at Government cost. |
| Captain Ransom the Depot and
Transportation Quarter Master, is reported as having in his service some
21 employees, while it is suggested that 12 might discharge all the
labor. How is this? |
| The lot of Iron (43000 lbs tire
{probably wagon}, and 3000 lbs Horse Shoe)
reported on hand at Mobile, and not needed there, you can forward to
Montgomery, Alabama, to Major Calhoun. |
| A. R. Lawton, Q. M. Genl. |
|