| Subsistence Department |
| Richmond, Va., July 29, 1863 |
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| General R. E. Lee |
| Commanding Army of Northern Virginia |
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| General,
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| My letter to you of 23d had reference
especially to the salt-meat ration; generally to all supplies of
subsistence needed by an army. Requesting that you would refer to
that letter in this latter connection, I again address you. It seems
evident that every effort should be made to accumulate subsistence
in Richmond at this time, in view of future probabilities. My
application to you (when you were first placed at Richmond and
anterior to your assuming direct command of the army) for
information respecting our then prospects so as to guide my action
and the conclusion then arrived at may perhaps be remembered. The
elaborate works of defense which you have caused to be thrown up
around the city and the constant attempt of the enemy on our lines
of railway indicate that supplies should be accumulated here to the
utmost possible extent, and at once. Such has been my constant
effort since the battle of Fredericksburg, on 11th and 13th of
December last, notwithstanding which a sufficiency even for current
use could not be collected. Near half a million of pounds of bacon
killed here alone enabled us to get along, and the most persistent
and varied exertions to gather a large surplus of flour and wheat
failed in consequence of the impossibility of procuring
transportation, first of wagons to haul to depots, then many
obstacles arose on the railroads. The wagons obtainable from the
Quartermaster's Department were in no sort of proportion to the
necessity, and efforts to buy or hire by this bureau failed. This
subject was brought to your attention. It is imperative that the
utmost efforts of all who can directly or by their representations
promote transportation to Richmond should be exercised. As the
defense of the city is in your charge, and it appears to be
considered by you at present as an important base of your supplies,
I address you. I have long had to draw corn from Georgia hither as
breadstuff, and much spoils on the road from delay. I now propose to
bring all the wheat that can be had from the south to the extent of
transportation without waiting for what may come in from the
districts usually tributary to Richmond.
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| It
should be arranged with the railroads that, if at any time the
ordinary freight trains are insufficient for prompt transportation
of all Government freight, the passenger trains be stopped and all
details made so as, at a word, to converge everything on this one
object. I write to you as the readiest way of having the conclusion
reached as to what is appropriate or necessary, for no one can be
more interested than yourself. When troops begin to move, we may
become inextricably involved. I learn that you are reducing your
transportation, and therefore request that you would direct your
quartermaster to distribute your surplus wagons as nearly as
possible to fulfill the following indications. Of course you can
judge whether protection is necessary for risking large additions to
the present trains in the localities where these last have been
operating. Thomas R. Foster, commissary agent, can use to advantage,
in addition to his present train, seventy-five wagons in the
collection of wheat, corn, &c., in the counties of Orange,
Culpeper, Madison, Greene, Albemarle, &c. William J. Nelson,
commissary agent at Staunton, can use with advantage, in collecting
supplies in the Valley of Virginia, 100 wagons in addition to his
present train. Capts. Thomas Robinson and A. E. Wilson, and S.S.
Gresham, commissary agent, can use with advantage, in addition to
their present train of 30 wagons, 150 wagons in the collection of
stores in the valley of the Rappahannock, counties of Caroline,
Essex, King William, Middlesex, King and Queen, &c., where large
quantities of grain of the old crop remain. Maj. R. Tannahill, chief
commissary of subsistence, First District (composed of all the
counties south of James River and east of the Blue Ridge), can
employ to great advantage, in addition to his present train,
seventy-five wagons in the collection of grain, flour, bacon,
&c. Applications to Quartermaster's Department for an additional
number of wagons have not succeeded. |
| Very respectfully, your obedient servant, |
| L. B. Northrop |
| Commissary General of Subsistence |
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