| Quartermaster General's Department |
| Richmond, August 12, 1863 |
| |
| Major F. W. Sims |
| QM |
| in charge RR Bureau |
| |
| Major, |
| I have received your communication on the
10th instant, suggesting that arrangements should be effected by which
a supply of corn for General Lee's Army, may be transported from
Atlanta, to Dalton, by way of Knoxville, and Lynchburg. |
| The suggestion is most important and the
plan you have submitted is highly approved. The pressure upon the
Seaboard Line of rail roads, is so great, that it has proved
inadequate to supply the corn absolutely necessary for the Army of
Northern Virginia. Any interruption, in that line of communication,
would expose that army to the serious calamity of being deprived of
its supply of forage. It is essential, therefore, that every
precaution be taken to guard against so hazardous an event. |
| To this end, the Western Line of rail road
must be employed to transport a portion of the corn obtained from S.
W. Georgia, at least until a supply be accumulated, which will place
General Lee's Army beyond the probability of being left unprovided
for. |
| You will, therefore, complete at the
earliest day possible, the necessary transfers of rolling stock, to
enable these roads to meet the additional demands upon them. |
| I desire that you will, in your proposed
interview with the Superintendents of the Rail Roads, convey to them
my approval of the plan you have submitted, and impress upon them, in
detail, the extreme importance of its successful execution. They will
doubtless appreciate this importance, and promptly make the required
changes in schedules, and local arrangements. |
| A. R. Lawton, Q. M. Genl. |
|