| Office Chief Commissary |
| Charleston 16 April 1864 |
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| Maj L. B. French C. S. |
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Richmond Va |
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Major, |
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Your letters of 28 March, 2nd & 12th April and telegram
of 9th Inst. have been received. The great reduction of the number
of troops, will allow me to send to Va, all the Rice you have
ordered -- 1500 tierces {67 car loads}
-- and leave a supply for about twelve months for 15000 men, the
daily issue being about half pound per man. There have been
occasional interruptions of the supply of breadstuff here, and then
Rice has been issued very freely. Looking to such a contingency, I
prefer to keep an ample stock on hand. A sudden increase of troops
too, sometimes, draws heavily upon it. However these accidents do
not seem likely to occur again for some time; and I think, if your
necessities are pressing, it will be safe to send you more. |
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Capt Cuyler was here, a few days ago, and will return,
with Col. Sims, on the 20th. I understood him to say that it would
be practicable, in about five days after that time, to get special
strains to go through with the Rice -- there being only some repairs
to locomotives, and a question of compensation, which he thought
could be arranged. |
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Some Bacon from Savannah went forward yesterday, and
another shipment is expected tomorrow. |
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I have had Rice fresh pounded to send Maj Claiborne, and
procured the best packages, and coopering that can be obtained here,
but unless sent by through trains, I do not believe it practicable
to deliver it in good order, at the end of so long a journey. Even
when sent in this way, the Barrels will be found loose, and the Rice
out; but then it will be in the cars. |
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The prospect is not good for the new crop: 1st because
less will be planted (or gathered) there being I learn a stampede of
the planters from the Georgetown region, and 2nd because I believe
we shall get none (or very little) of that which may be raised
without impressment. |
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Respectfully your obedient Servant |
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H. C. Guerin |
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Maj & C. S. |
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