| Quartermaster General's Department |
| Richmond, Dec. 13, 1861 |
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| Circular |
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| Sir, |
| I desire to effect with the various rail
road companies in the Confederate States a clear understanding in
respect to the transportation of Government supplies; and to secure,
if practicable, uniformity of charges among them. To that end I invite
your attention to the following propositions, with the request that
you will communicate your acceptance, or other action thereon, at as
early a day as possible. I propose that the Government shall pay the
Rail Road Companies the rates established by the Chattanooga
Convention, held on the 4th of October last; the companies in turn
obligating themselves to abide by these rates; and to be held to
strict accountability, for any damage to, or loss of freight, subject
to the usual exceptions. The accounts of all companies that accept the
proposition will be adjusted according to the rates referred to from
Novbr. 1. This offer I feel satisfied is liberal enough so to
compensate companies for the unusual wear and tear in their rolling
stock, and to induce its acceptance. |
| A. C. Myers, Q. M. Genl. |
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|
Memo. of Chattanooga rates |
| 1st Class |
Percussion caps, powder and fix ammunition, 45
cents per 100 lbs per 100 miles |
| 2nd Class |
All the freights shipped for the Government except
Live stock, Hay, Bran and the articles enumerated in 1st Class,
at 20 cents per 100 lbs per 100 miles |
| 3rd Class |
Live stock per car load -- $20 per car per 100
miles |
| 4th Class |
Hay, Bran, per car load -- $20 per car per 100
miles |
|
For less than a car load of Live
stock, the local rates of each road will be charged. The labor and
expense of loading and unloading and the detention of the cars for
the same being as much for short and for long distances, less than
100 miles will be charged as 100 miles. Distances greater than 100
miles at rates proportionate to above. The payments for Government
service will be received in the Treasury notes or Bonds of the
Confederate States. |
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