| Orange Court House, Va., March 27, 1862 |
| |
| Col. L. B. Northrop |
| Commissary-General of Subsistence, Richmond, Va. |
| |
| Colonel, |
| By your letter of the 24th instant I was
instructed to render to you a report of my operations at
Thoroughfare, Va., to report the reasons for the destruction of the
meat packed under my direction at that place, the amount packed, the
quantity brought away, and how much was abandoned or destroyed on
the movement of the Army of the Potomac at Manassas. In compliance
with these instructions I have the honor to report as follows: |
|
|
Pounds |
The amount of pork received at the packing house
at Thoroughfare,
according to a statement from the books of the agent
(being the gross weight of the dead hogs), was |
|
1,510,819 |
| Of which there was sent off at different times,
viz: |
|
|
| To Captain McKinne, at Manassas, pork, bacon, and
lard |
267,518 |
|
| To Wortham & McGruder, for sale, lard |
30,929 |
|
| Sold and issued to army, faces, ribs, &c |
155,663 |
|
| To Gordonsville and Orange Court-House, pork and
bacon |
546,600 |
|
| To Warrenton, by wagons, bacon |
90,000 |
|
| Loss in weight from shrinkage 12½ per cent |
188,852 |
|
| Total amount of pork, &c., sent from
Thoroughfare |
|
1,279,562 |
| |
|
|
| Balance of pork, lard, &c., left at
Thoroughfare |
|
231,257 |
| |
|
|
|
|
Pounds |
| Amount of beef packed at Thoroughfare (net) |
|
1,195,914 |
| Amount sent to Captains McKinne and Vaughan |
1,037,260 |
|
| Amount sent to Warrenton |
15,000 |
|
| Amount consumed by hands and guard |
5,092 |
|
| {Total
amount of beef sent from
Thoroughfare} |
|
1,057,352 |
| |
|
|
| Balance of beef at Thoroughfare |
|
138,562 |
|
|
|
| Total amount of meat left at Thoroughfare |
|
369,819 |
| |
|
|
Of this amount there was given to the people of
the neighborhood,
and to the parties engaged in hauling meat to
Warrenton, about |
200,000 |
|
| There was burned about, say |
169,819 |
|
|
|
|
| Total amount destroyed and given away |
|
369,819 |
|
| There were also burned about 500 hides
and a large amount of tallow which had been sold and delivered to
George S. Ayre; also two large slaughter-houses and seven house
cars. The packing and smoke houses were so near to private property
that they could not be burned without destroying it, and they were
therefore ordered to be torn down and carried off. All the
neat's-foot oil, about 300 gallons, was sent to Warrenton. As for
the reasons for the loss exhibited by the foregoing statement, I
consider it sufficient to state the facts connected therewith, and
to express the opinion that it was not the result of remissness of
any one connected with your department. I received from you notice
of the proposed evacuation of Manassas on the 21st of February, two
weeks before it occurred, and could I have obtained the
transportation by railroad which was promised all the property at
Thoroughfare could have been removed during the first week; or had I
been told that such transportation could not be had I could have
removed it all by wagons to Warrenton within the time, but I was not
aware of that fact until the day before the evacuation occurred. I
came to Thoroughfare on the 22d. Orders were given to stop the
slaughtering of cattle and hogs and arrangements made for sending
the meat to Mount Jackson and Orange Court-House. Mr. Stuart went on
the 24th to Mount Jackson, appointed an agent, and had a house
erected to receive the meat. Mr. Hunton was sent to Orange
Court-House to get buildings and to secure the meat as sent. By the
26th Mr. Stuart had made arrangements with the superintendents of
the railroads for the transportation of at least 200,000 pounds per
day. The meat was taken from the houses and placed on platforms for
convenience of loading the cars. The force of hands was increased,
and every possible arrangement on our part was made for sending off
the property. The cars promised by the superintendents were not
furnished because, as I was informed, the Government had taken
control of the transportation. |
| On the 28th ultimo, at the instance of
Major Cole, we had an interview with Major Barbour, chief
quartermaster, who promptly gave an order for such transportation as
I needed; but although every effort was made both by Major Cole and
myself, as well as by Mr. Stuart (who proved himself in this, as he
has in all other matters of business, a most efficient and
industrious agent), but forty-five cars could be had, which were
promptly loaded and sent off. Up to the 8th instant continual calls
were ineffectually made for cars. They were continually promised and
expected. The meat was all taken from the houses and placed on
scaffolds ready for loading, and remained in that exposed condition
for six days. During this time only seven cars were furnished and
they were never taken away, although many trains passed the point
and several of them were entirely empty. |
| On the 8th instant I received an order
from Major Cole, commissary of subsistence, to destroy all the meat
which was not removed by the 10th instant; but on consultation with
General Johnston and himself on the following day at Manassas I was
authorized to use my discretion and save from destruction as much as
possible by hauling it to Warrenton by wagons and giving it away. I
caused combustibles to be placed under every pile of meat for its
immediate destruction when necessary. Guards were placed on all the
roads leading to Thoroughfare to give notice of the approach of the
enemy, and the people for many miles around were notified to send in
their teams. A liberal price in money and a load of meat was offered
to each person who would send a wagon. The response to the call was
prompt and gratifying, and on Monday, the 10th instant, we had about
thirty wagons, and others promised for the next day. On Monday night
Lieutenant-Colonel Munford arrived with a body of cavalry under
orders from General Stuart to destroy all the property along the
line of railroad. He, finding that we were engaged in sending off
the stores, actively co-operated with us, and sent through the
country and impressed all the wagons which could be found. Had he
remained three days longer I believe that all the meat could have
been removed. His orders, however, were, as I understand, peremptory
to destroy all the property left at Thoroughfare on Tuesday at 12
o'clock. On that day we loaded and sent away about fifty wagons, and
then under his orders the remaining property was destroyed, except
some meat which at my request was reserved to meet my obligations to
those engaged in hauling to Warrenton. At the hide depot at Manassas
Junction there were on hand about 2,000 hides and about 500 gallons
of neat's-foot oil. No transportation could be obtained for anything
from this point, and this property (together with the furnaces,
buildings, &c.) was all destroyed. I have established myself for
the present at this point, but shall be governed in my future
movements by those of this army. |
| Respectfully, your obedient servant, |
| B. P. Nolan |
| Major and Commissary of Subsistence |
|