| Edgefield, Tenn., February 15, 1862 |
| |
| Hon. J. P. Benjamin |
| |
| I learn 15,000 arms have run
the blockade on the steamship Victoria
at New Orleans. I request that they may be immediately sent to me at
Murfreesborough, Tenn., where there will be an agent to receive
them, suggesting that they may be placed in charge of special
messenger, with power to impress all passenger locomotives on the
railroads, by which means they can be sent in less than half the
time that freight engines would deliver them. I also wish to
ascertain what kind of guns they are, their caliber and character,
so as to have proper ammunition prepared here at Nashville
by the time they arrive. The men to use them can be found, and in
the present emergency they may be of vital importance. |
| I am, sir, very respectfully, |
| A. S. Johnston |
| General, C. S. Army |
|