| Hdqrs. Department of Ala., Miss., and East La. |
| Mobile, Ala. |
| September 1, 1864
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| General S. Cooper |
| Adjutant and Inspector General, C. S. Army
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| General,
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| *****
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| On the 26th {of
August} instant the railroad between Montgomery
and Opelika
{the Montgomery & West Point RR} was again in running order. The early completion of this important
work is due to the energy and skill of Maj. George Whitfield, of the
quartermaster's department.
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| *****
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| My attention was called soon after
entering upon this command to the evils and abuses which have sprung
up under the operations of the contracts for purchasing Government
supplies with cotton. I, therefore, by virtue of the authority which
has been vested in the commander of the department, have suspended
the further operation of those contracts. They have contributed very
little to the military resources of our country, while they have
caused fraud and corruption, for which nothing can adequately
compensate. I have also caused all restrictions which have been
placed by Government officers on transportation of supplies along
the Mobile & Ohio Railroad to be removed. The object of those
restrictions was to prevent speculation and extortion. Their
operation was oppressive to the people, and not effectual against
the extortioners.
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| *****
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| I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient
servant,
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| Dabney H. Maury
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| Major-General, Commanding
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