OR, Series 1, Vol. 32, Part 2, Page 564

Executive Department
Milledgeville, January 16, 1864
 
General Joseph E. Johnston
 
Dear Sir,
   It affords me pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 5th instant, by which I am informed that you will make an effort to have part of the engines and cars which have been taken from the Western & Atlantic Railroad and lost by the military restored to the road. This would be a great relief and would enable us to transport supplies to your army without further embarrassment.
   I have informed the Quartermaster-General at Richmond that it is necessary for him to send to the State road two good engines and trains of cars in place of part of those lost, to enable us to do the necessary carrying for your army. I wish you to insist upon this in your correspondence with him, as it will greatly aid me in procuring the trains.
   I have submitted your complaints of want of efficiency in our railroad officers to the superintendent, who is of opinion you are misinformed, and that the officers and employees are doing all in their power with the means at their command.
   He further informs me that your supplies at the time of the complaint went forward promptly as fast as delivered to us by connecting roads below, except in the case of beef cattle, which he had not stock cars to carry. If you would impress a few stock cars from some of the roads below Atlanta and place them on the State road to carry beef cattle it would greatly facilitate the business. I think cars of that class have been sent to South Carolina by some of our roads to engage in carrying cotton with which to run the blockade, much of it for private speculation. If your commissaries drive the cattle in future, as you suggest, that will obviate much of the difficulty, though I fear you may not find it easy to procure food for them on the way through the country from Atlanta to Dalton.
   I think your suggestions in reference to the employment of negroes to do much of the labor now done in and about the army by soldiers are wise, and I regret that I have no power to furnish them. If Congress would provide for calling a sufficient force of negroes for these purposes into the field, apportioning the number among the different States, it would be a judicious movement. In that case the planters of Georgia would cheerfully furnish their quota.
   It is probable I may find it necessary to convene the Legislature of the State early in the spring. If so, I will submit this question for their consideration, as I have no power to act without further legislation. I beg to renew the assurance that I will in all matters within my power render you every possible assistance.
With high consideration and esteem, I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Joseph E. Brown
 
P. S.--I will send you a copy of the late act of our Legislature in reference to deserters. I shall do all in my power to have it executed.
J. E. B.

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