| From the Western Democrat (Charlotte,
N.C.) |
| |
| April 5, 1864 |
| |
| Important to ??? and ??? |
| The late order of the
Quartermaster General reducing the trains on the several railroads
between Richmond and Augusta, Ga., ??? the ??? for the conveyance of
the travelling public by much. The engines taken from the passenger
trains will be employed in the transmission of government freight,
with which the depots of the several roads are filled to overflowing.
The reduction of the trains has been made known by advertising, and
travellers can make arrangements accordingly, but, there is another
??? order of the Q. M. General, which is not so well known as it ought
to be. The large numbers of citizens that crowd the trains on the ???
has been the subject of much remark. It cannot be legitimate business
that keeps such numbers in constant motion, particularly ladies, and
it is apparent that the flush of Confederate money is, by some
persons, expended in mere travelling from place to place, either for
pleasure, or what is worse, speculating on the necessities of their
fellow citizens by buying cheap in one place and selling dear at
another. Of course this, in itself, is not subject for government interference,
but it must be recollected that these travellers for pleasure or
private business seriously interferes with the transportation of the
soldiers, proceeding to enjoy the hard earned and very limited
furloughs, and then detains them in returning them to their duty. The
citizens fill the cars and the poor soldiers are compelled to lay over
for another train, at a r?? expense to himself, and in many instances,
at the risk of punishment for overstaying his furlough. |
| We understand that
instructions have been received by the superintendents of the several
railroads to transport private soldiers first, officers next, and then
citizens, so that any detention for want of room must fall upon
citizens. Travellers upon railroads had better be prepared to accept
this contingency whenever they happen to come in contact with soldiers
going home or returning to their duty. To those compelled by business
to travel this may occasionally prove an imposition, but if the new
regulation succeeds in keeping at home idlers and mere pleasure
seekers who now crowd the trains, it will not only be a benefit to the
public, but a great savings to the parties themselves. |
| Petersburg Register |
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