NA, SWR 12/3/1861

Hd. Qr. Centreville Va.
December 3d 1861
 
{Letter not addressed, but is in the Secretary of War Letters Received file}
 
Extract of a letter from Mr. Whitcomb, Superintendent of the Virginia Central (Richmond & Staunton) Rail Road. Addressed to Major Fisher Qr Master Manassas.
   "Now sir as to our means -- I have nine engines to haul freight and five to run with the mail and sick trains on a road of 195 miles. I have the corn & flour to haul for our North Western and Western armies for??ly some management good or bad flour & corn is carried from here through the rich counties of Albemarle, Augusta & Rockbridge to these distant points. We transported day before yesterday 1500 Bags of corn which was destined for you to Maj. Harman of Staunton by order of the Commissary, where I learn that there is a large amount of corn still in these counties -- ought not the Government to spare this R. R. Co. with its miserably small equipment."
   Respectfully furnished the War Department as important
J. E. Johnston
General

Home