|
Subsistence Dept |
| Richmond Novr 3rd 1862 |
| |
| Hon G W Randolph |
| Secty of War |
| |
| Sir, |
| In addition to the letters &
telegrams already shown you in regard to the difficulty of
transportation from Gordonsville to Richmond {on
the Virginia Central RR}, I beg leave to enclose now a telegram
from H B Hoomes, Comy Agent, & also a letter from Mr Jno D. Barbour,
Presdt O&A RR to Major Ruffin for your consideration and action. |
| I feel it is my duty to state
in this connection that not withstanding the most strenuous efforts
wheat enough is not being received to furnish flour for Genl. Lee's army
alone. I am informed by reliable authority that in ordinary years with
an average crop of wheat up to this time there would be received in
Richmond 800,000 to 1,000,000 bushels of wheat
{6,150 to 7,700 car loads}, whereas, notwithstanding the high
price that it commands & notwithstanding the aid which has been extended
to the farmers by commissary agents throughout the country, there has
not been received more than 250 to 300,000 bushels
{1,925 to 2,300 car loads}. This proves that there is a great
scarcity of wheat; this year's crop, it is believed throughout the state
is not more than one fourth an average one & a considerable portion of
the state we cannot draw from at all. Unless therefore something is done
to afford transportation for all the wheat that can be procured I do not
see anything but failure & ruin to our army. As much grain as is needed
cannot be procured it is feared even if this transportation is afforded
& without that transportation is obtained in some way we must break
down. I feel it my duty to urge this matter upon your attention. It
cannot be considered too deeply nor the remedy applied with too much
promptness. The chances of procuring sufficient supplies are becoming
every hour more and more doubtful & the area of country drawn from
smaller & smaller. I am powerless to remedy the evil & can only lay
before you the state of the case for your action. |
| A sufficiency of bags are as
great a necessity to secure a supply of flour as anything else. During
the last summer the cotton mills throughout the country were written to
with a view to secure an ample supply of bags; but the Bureau was
requested not to purchase bags as Maj. Ferguson of the QM Dept would
procure them it was said, for both the Commissary & QM Departments. To
avoid competition between the Government Agents this was acquiesced in.
Upon application now it seems that not one tenth the requested quantity
of bags can be obtained. |
| I am very Respectfully |
| L. B. Northrop |
| CGS |
|