| War Department, C. S. A. |
| Richmond, Va. |
| February 10, 1863 |
| |
| His Excellency Zebulon B. Vance |
| Governor of North Carolina |
|
|
| Sir, |
| In the present state of the roads, and
with the deficient means of transportation afforded by the
railroads, the subsistence of General Lee's army is seriously
endangered and may become actually dependent on the means of
commanding the forage and provisions which have been and are now
being collected by the Bureaus of this Department in your State. The
vital importance of the subject will, I trust, excuse me in your
estimation for invoking your attention to the subjoined copy of a
telegram just received from Colonel Wadley, the agent of the
Government for railroad transportation, and asking your co-operation
with him in so managing and controlling the transportation on the
line of roads within your State as to render them most efficient in
forwarding promptly and regularly the supplies so essential to our
main army. Colonel Wadley or his leading assistant is now in
Raleigh, and will gladly avail himself of the privilege of
conferring with you on your call, and I would bespeak your favorable
consideration of the suggestions his experience may dictate. |
| With high esteem, most respectfully yours, |
| J. A. Seddon |
| Secretary of War |
|