| Meridian, Miss., November 8, 1864 |
| |
| Capt. W. F. Bullock, Jr. |
| Assistant Adjutant-General, Selma |
| |
| Captain, |
| I inclose two communications from Major
Whitfield. The train I turned back at this place for transportation
of negroes and pontoons was unable to pull the entire load. I
shipped on same morning by passenger train one car of tools, which I
presume are those referred to in his letter and which escaped his
attention because of their being on different train. I have adopted
the precaution of telegraphing to ascertain positively whether or
not they were the tools desired. Transportation is now working well
on both roads. Colonel Tate went up on yesterday, and if you can
have about 200 of General Smith's negroes turned over to Major
Whitfield I think he will have cars running to Tuscumbia in a very
short time. |
| Respectfully, &c.,
|
| Chas. M. Williams
|
| Capt., Asst. Quartermaster, on Railroad and
Transportation Duty
|
|
|
|
Inclosure No. 1
|
| Okolona,
Miss, November 6, 1864
|
|
|
| Capt. C. M. Williams
|
| Meridian, Miss.
|
|
|
| Sir,
|
| I regret my being unable to come on
today to see Colonel Tate. Please see him and explain to him why I
did not meet him at Meridian. Say to him that we need the Jackson
and Ross {probably 2 Memphis & Charleston
RR locomotives} badly. I expected to have gotten negroes out
of the lot that went up the road today for work on his road, but the
officer in charge of them said they were to work on fortifications
at Corinth. Telegraph to Noble, at Montgomery, to send forward
immediately the tools to General Roddey's quartermaster for the
building of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. Tell Colonel Tate
to come up as soon as possible. You must stay on the line of the
Mobile {& Ohio RR} road and hurry
forward stores, particularly commissary stores, from Mobile,
Meridian, Columbus, and Macon. Tell Colonel Tate I can only take a
general supervision of repairs, and that I have telegraphed Young to
send a quartermaster to keep all money and property accounts. If we
can get Sanders and his force we can rebuild his road rapidly. We
are losing daylight by not being at work. Colonel Burtwell, of
General Roddey's command, is [at] work on his road, but not much has
been done. If necessary travel up and down the road and allow no
stores to lay on the road, particularly commissary stores.
Communicate by letter and telegraph with Hosford, at West Point,
about any transportation matters. I inclose a letter for Captain
Bullock. Send it to him immediately.
|
| Whitfield
|
|
|
|
Inclosure No. 2
|
| Corinth, Miss., November 6, 1864
|
|
|
| Capt. W. F. Bullock, Jr.
|
| Selma, Ala.
|
|
|
| Sir,
|
| The Mobile {&
Ohio RR} road is in tolerably safe order to Corinth; Memphis
and Charleston road about the same to Cherokee. If I had the hands
could soon have the cars running to Tuscumbia {about
14 additional miles}. I ordered tools from Major Noble, at
Montgomery, but they have not come to Corinth yet. No stores have
accumulated at any point so far, and additional orders were given
Friday for commissary stores to come from Mobile, and I at once sent
cars there for them. The passenger trains have been put to hauling
freight. I will endeavor to give the general entire satisfaction in
everything. Taking into consideration the short notice we had and
the amount of stores we have transported I think we have done well
with the roads in such bad condition. I leave for Corinth in the
morning, and will endeavor to get the bridge force from General
Hood's army, but fear I will fail. Will write and telegraph as often
as occasion may require.
|
| Geo. Whitfield
|
| Major and Quartermaster
|
|