| Columbus, October 22nd 1864 |
| |
| Major S. B. French |
| CS |
| Richmond VA |
| |
| Major, |
| I arrived here with Major
Mason this morning. At Macon we had a short interview with Major
Cummings, who has shipped to Richmond all his bacon except some 70000
lbs {4 1/2 car loads} which will be boxed &
ready to go forward in a few days. |
| Major Allens stock is now very
reduced, but he can gather in from his agents about 100,000 lbs
{6 1/4 car loads}. Tho' some of this will
be needed for passing troops &c the bulk of it he will appropriate to
Richmond. He could add largely to his stock had he the money wherewith
to buy, and nothing but money will answer. The three purchasing
commissioners of this state are now in debt to the extent of nearly
$12,000,000! and at this critical moment they can do nothing without
funds. This financial difficulty is a subject of exalting comment by the
dissatisfied people of the state, and a source of general complaint
among the farmers & others who have been waiting for months and months.
They will not sell now to the Government except for the money.
Certificates of indebtedness are not recognized as such, and without
money, under the laws of this state, you cannot enforce the laws of
impressment. It is as necessary as will be your dependence upon this
rich country for provisions, to promptly supply your purchasing
commissioners with funds. Major Allen has not yet received $500,000 that
was to have been sent to him on the 10th inst. |
| When has been a block on the
Columbus & Macon Road from a lack of cars. This evil I am assured is
corrected, transient cars have been procured, and Major Hottel, who has
charge of transportation between Augusta & Montgomery appraises me there
will be the capacity of thirty cars for Government purposes from this to
Macon daily. Fortunately the Navy does not now impress so much of
transportation as formerly. I have consumed much of my time to day in
looking into matters connected with Government shipments. I am more than
unsatisfied that Rail Road Companies will not discriminate in favor of
the Govt when they can avoid it, but contrary wise when they can. Some
of them I understand are large stockholders in Blockade runners &
extensively engaged in purchasing & transporting cotton. Major Allen is
now getting off his corn, which had been kept back for several months. I
leave in the morning with Col Sims & Major Hottel for Montgomery & hope
to advise the movement of supplies there without delay. |
| The appointment of Major Mons
to the position of Chief Commissary of the state gives high satisfaction
to the people here, where he is recognized as one of the first business
lawyers in the country & active & energetic. |
| I have had many full
interviews with him and have given him, with extracts from my orders,
such suggestions as would but enable him in my judgement to secure &
promptly ship to you the surplus of subsistence of the state. |
| I am Major |
| Very Respectfully |
| W H Smith |
| Major & CS |
|