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Confederate States of America
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Subsistence Department |
| Richmond, Dec 17th/63 |
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| Col L. B. Northrop |
| Commissary Genl |
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| Colonel, |
| The receipts of Grain at this place & at
nearly every Depot in the State having almost entirely ceased, it
becomes necessary that we should rely upon the Southern States, where
ample supplies exist & can be rendered available, provided the
difficulties of transportation can be promptly removed. |
| I therefore earnestly recommend & urge
that Capt Philip &. Wellford, A. C. S. be ordered to proceed to Columbus
Ga & such other points as may be indicated by this Bureau, with full
authority fom the Sec of War, giving precedence in transportation to
supplies required for the Subsistence Department, and hurry forward the
Grain now in transit to this city. |
| It is not asked that this Depart should
have the monopoly of transportation but merely that its urgent
wants shall have precedence,( as has been decided by the Sec
of War as an endorsement) while the crisis exists, over those of
other Departments. |
| After a supply shall have been
accumulated, whatever surplus we may have will be, as heretofore,
promptly placed at the disposition of the Qr Mr's Dept. |
| I am, Colonel, Very Respy |
| Your obdt servt |
| L. B. French |
| Major & C. S. |
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