Office Chief District Commissary
| Augusta, Ga., January 1, 1864 |
| |
| General Joseph E. Johnston |
| Commanding Army of Tennessee, Dalton, Ga. |
| |
| Sir, |
| As the Army of Tennessee has now to
depend upon the rear for subsistence, I think it due to the cause
and just to myself to give you an approximate estimate of the stores
on hand. At the same time I wish to show you clearly the prospects
for a further accumulation. Our armies, to be kept together, must be
fed, and hence I take the liberty of presenting to you the
difficulties that surround the subsistence department, that being
forewarned, you may, if possible, be forearmed, and that hereafter
no censure may attach to me for want of timely notice. Briefly,
then, you are aware that the northern portion of this State has been
completely exhausted. A large portion of the citizens are now
compelled to look elsewhere for family supplies. The middle portion
of the State, from this point south, has not been heavily drained,
but I now have an efficient and energetic corps of agents who are
gleaning this entire section. Within two or three weeks they will
have gathered up all the supplies of meat that can be had without
resort to military force. In this connection I would remark that the
supreme court of Georgia has virtually nullified the old impressment
law. They admit, however, the right to impress under orders from the
commanding general when the necessities of the army demand it.
Permit me to say that in my opinion these necessities, so far as
subsistence is concerned, were never more urgent. From the
southwestern part of the State the armies on the coast have been
subsisted since the beginning of the war, and are still dependent on
that section for supplies. I therefore think that we can expect but
little from that source in the way of meat. The chief commissary of
subsistence for the State of Alabama thinks that all the surplus
there will be needed by the troops in that State. He therefore
declines to allow anything further to be brought out. From Florida I
have drawn large numbers of beef-cattle. This supply is now rapidly
diminishing. The people complain that cattle are becoming scarce.
The chief commissary of subsistence reports that but few more can be
expected till next summer, as the grazing season is past, the cattle
now poor, and pasturage and forage so scant on the long route to
this place that they could not be driven. |
| This state of affairs presents a gloomy
picture, but I wish to present it to you in its true colors, and
from the right point of view. If the army in to be supplied with
meat the most prompt, active, and energetic measures should, in my
opinion, be resorted to at once. |
| Breadstuffs are more abundant; but here
again we are met by serious difficulties in the way of
transportation. This supply comes mainly from Southwestern Georgia,
together with forage for the horses. The railroads are deficient in
cars and engines, and to add to our troubles we are informed that
many of these are employed in the transportation of Government
cotton to Wilmington. For further information on this point I beg
leave to refer you to Major Peters' report on this subject, a copy
of which was forwarded to Colonel McMicken, chief quartermaster,
Army of Tennessee. To supply the army and the posts and hospitals
belonging thereto, I need ten car-loads of meal per day. At present
I can command, from all sources, an average of five. The stock of
flour is nearly exhausted. There is still a limited supply of wheat
in the country, but it can be had only by impressment. I believe I
have now given you a succinct, general view of the position of the
department. In a personal interview I could give a more thorough and
detailed statement. If you think it for the good of the service, I
should be pleased to report to you and receive such suggestions as
your long and valuable experience may dictate. |
| I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient
servant, |
| J.
F. Cummings |
| Major and Commissary of Subsistance |
|