Headquarters Wilmington, February 15, 1864
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| General S. Cooper |
| Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond |
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| General, |
| There is one thing in connection with
my request, often urged lately, for another brigade at this place
which is very important; that is, the rapidly deteriorating
condition of our transportation. To move troops now to my aid, if
attacked, requires now twice the time it did one year ago, when I
was threatened by Foster's expedition from Beaufort, and three times
as long as was needed in the beginning of the war. Twenty-four hours
at any time suffices to put the enemy in front of me by sea. As to
land, my column from this place captured the enemy's position at
Sheppardsville, 110 miles from here, equidistant with New Berne,
crossing two rivers on the fourth day of their march. It is
reasonable to suppose the enemy can move by land as fast as we can.
Last year, when 5,000 men were sent me from General Beauregard, they
were one week in arriving from Charleston, 200 miles by railroad.
Wilmington was saved then by the diversion of the enemy's attack to
Charleston, due altogether to the feeling produced by Flag-Officer
Ingraham's attack on the enemy's squadron off Charleston, their
expedition, as is now well ascertained, having been intended for
this place. In our present condition, the length of time taken to
concentrate at Goldsborough for the late expedition shows, I think,
conclusively that we ought not to trust entirely to our ability to
relieve this place by railroad in case of emergency. It must be
recollected further that this place has now become the great cotton
depot and the entrepot for a very large part of the supplies of the
Army of Virginia. In case of emergency, then, all transportation but
that of troops must cease, which will greatly embarrass the
situation. This, added to the fact that re-enforcements call hardly
arrive in time, and that my force is entirely inadequate to hold the
enemy at bay, is surely a strong reason for placing beforehand a
brigade at my disposal. I will not discuss the vast importance of
this command; every one is aware of that. The single brigade asked
for now is very far short of the forces which will be required, and
that, indeed, together with the one now here, will make a less force
than what I have always considered necessary as a permanent garrison
for so vital a point as this. Will you be good enough to lay these
considerations, which I do not think have been heretofore urged,
especially the matter of transportation, before the President?
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| Very respectfully
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| W. H. C. Whiting |
| Major-General |
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| [First indorsement] |
| February 19, 1864 |
| Respectfully submitted to Secretary of War, in
connection with the one I submitted two days since from the same
source. |
| S. Cooper |
| Adjutant and Inspector General |
| |
| [Second indorsement] |
| February 21, 1864 |
| Quartermaster-General |
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| Note General Whiting's remarks about
transportation. Are there no means of remedying these delays? |
| J. A. S. |
| Secretary |
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| [Third indorsement] |
| Railroad Bureau |
| Richmond, February 24, 1864 |
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| Respectfully referred to
Quartermaster-General. |
| The only remedy that suggests itself for these
delays is increasing the rolling-stock. This can be done if a full
force of mechanics are detailed from the Army to put the Petersburg
iron-works up to their full capacity for production. It can also be
largely benefited by more liberal details from the Army for service
in the railroad machine-shops, who could repair cars and engines now
broken down. |
| F. W. Sims |
| Lieutenant-Colonel and Quartermaster |
| |
| [Fourth indorsement] |
| Quartermaster-General's Office |
| February 29, 1864 |
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| Respectfully returned to the honorable
Secretary of War, whose attention is invited to the views of Colonel
Sims, which are approved.
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| The delays in transportation are caused,
first, by the deterioration of rolling-stock; second, by the fact
that corn is now brought from Georgia to Virginia to support the
armies here (which was not the case last year); and, third, by the
frequent interference of commanding officers with our limited and
overburdened transportation. The remedy for the first and last
mentioned difficulties lies with the Secretary of War. As suggested
by Colonel Sims, the second must continue, but will be greatly
alleviated by removing the first and third.
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| A. R. Lawton |
| Quartermaster-General |
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| [Fifth indorsement] |
| Quartermaster-General |
| Recommend the details necessary for the
Petersburg railroad shops. |
| J. A. S. |
| Secretary |
|