Dalton, January 2, 1864
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| Mr. President
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| I have received the letter which you did me the
honor to write me on the 23d ultimo. |
| Having been here but six days, during
four of which it rained heavily, I have not been able to observe the
condition of the army. I judge, however, from the language of the
general officers, that it has not entirely recovered its confidence
and that its discipline is not so thorough as it was last spring.
The men are generally comfortably clothed. A few shoes and blankets
are wanting in each brigade, which the chief quartermaster promised
to supply very soon. |
| *** |
| The army depends for subsistence upon an
officer at Atlanta (Major Cummings), who acts under the orders of
the Commissary-General. The chief commissary of the army reports
that that officer has provided for the next month. But we depend
upon the railroad for bringing supplies to the troops. As yet
rations but for five days have been accumulated here, with a supply
for three previously placed at Calhoun, 20 miles to the rear. We
have had no receipts for two days, for want, it is said, of good
fuel on the road. The practice of transporting beef cattle by
railroad has made it impossible to accumulate stores here. I propose
as soon as the arrangement can be made, to have the cattle driven,
but the change will require time. |
| *** |
| Most respectfully, your obedient servant, |
| J. E. Johnston |
| General |
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