War Department, Richmond, Va., February 14, 1863
| |
| General Joseph E. Johnston, Cmdg., Chattanooga, Tenn. |
| |
| General |
| The Department refers to you complaints
of the president and directors of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad
Company upon the management of that railroad by quartermasters
acting under the authority of orders of Lieutenant-General
Pemberton. These complaints are exhibited in a letter from the
superintendent of the railroad, which is inclosed, and have vent
also in an article published in the city papers of the city of
Mobile. |
| The Department addressed telegrams to
Lieutenant-General Pemberton and to Quartermaster Mims on this
subject. Lieutenant-General Pemberton replied: |
| I
have forbidden the shipment of corn and meat to private
parties in Mobile and elsewhere out of the department,
because I need it all for subsistence of troops and people
of the State. Mobile must get supplies by Tombigbee and
Alabama Rivers. Mississippi navigation is cut off from this
place. |
|
| Quartermaster Mims telegraphs: |
| General
Pemberton issued a circular on December 12, disallowing any
railroad to transport forage beyond the limits of this
department, or private parties within it, until that
belonging to Government was transported. Every pound then,
as now, was required for the army. It was to secure it
against the competition of speculators, especially on the
Mobile and Ohio Railroad, as well as to insure
transportation, which before the order was continually
complained of by quartermasters. No private party, upon a
showing that his corn was for private use, has been denied
transportation. |
|
| The order of General Pemberton has been
in operation for above two months, and has been continued,
notwithstanding the orders that have been given on the subject of
transportation, in the appointment of Colonel Wadley, and other
orders since that time. The assumption, you observe, appropriates
the control over the railroad system of the State, and creates an
embargo upon the domestic trade of an entire people. These are the
highest powers of sovereignty, and are not to be justified unless
upon an urgent and present necessity. The reasons assigned by
General Pemberton are, however, recognized as very cogent, and their
sufficiency must be judged by you. |
| The complaints of the conduct of the
quartermasters in the department of Lieutenant-General Pemberton
have been incessant. Imputations upon their integrity have come
again and again to the Department. The subject is one of painful
interest and importance, and is submitted to you for observation,
and to take such measures to reconcile the apparently conflicting
interests of the two communities and military departments as may be
proper. |
| Very respectfully, your obedient servant, |
| J. A. Seddon |
|