| Augusta, Jany 26, 1864 |
| |
| Major S. B. French |
| CS |
| Richmond VA |
| |
| Major, |
| On my route hither from
Columbia, I ascertained at Kingville that there was no corn at all
there, & I hastened to this place where I arrived yesterday morning. In
the mean while I have been engaged in examining the various Depots, & in
conferring with Captains Cranston Sims & Jones. I telegraphed to you
last evening "1613 sacks corn forwarded this day via Wilmington -- 13
trains chartered by Capt Sims will ??? the road to Charlotte. Some 1200
sacks Comy Corn here which will go forward without delay
{8 car loads}. I leave tomorrow for Macon &
Columbus." Of the 13 trains mentioned in my dispatch I was not at the
time aware that six of them were under orders from the Secy of War
appropriated to the shipment of cotton hence to Charleston. Although,
until repairs in progress on the So. Ca. Road are completed in bridging
& relaying rails, & which will be completed in the course of two or
three weeks, it cannot sustain more transportation than now passes over
it. |
| Besides the difficulties that
encumbered the "Charlotte & So Ca road the "South Carolina Road" was
unable to do any business at all from the 30th Decr to the 7th Jan from
the floods that eng?? this end of the line. But the condition of things
is now materially improving, and Capt Sims is confident that in a few
weeks his arrangements with the repairs in process will be such as to
enable him to give prompt transportation not only to Comy Corn but to
all other government property. His chartered trains as they come through
his dispatches either to Charlotte & Wilmington, alternating, so as to
give them some relief. As stated at once. Two leading merchants here --
men of wealth & well known in the country have volunteered to go out &
harangue the people who are holders of supplies & endeavor to persuade
them to meet as far as possible the emergency. |
| I hoped to have gotten off
this afternoon, but I could not. I shall take the early morning train &
proceed direct to Columbus as I learn there is no corn & no obstruction
at Macon. I recd last evening your telegram of the 21st advising that
you had written me care of Major Allen. |
| I have written you hurriedly,
but believe I have embraced every thing of interest connected with my
mission |
| Very Respectfully |
| W H Smith |
| Major & CS |
|