| Hdqrs. First Division, Western Department |
| Columbus, Ky. |
| January 12, 1862 |
| |
| Maj. A. C. Myers |
| Quartermaster-General |
| Richmond, Va. |
| |
| Sir, |
| I have to acknowledge
the receipt of your letter of December 17, and in regard to it have
to say that as there appears to be, from your communication to the
Secretary of War, some misconception of the circumstances under
which the amount passed to my credit, viz, $390,010, was expended,
that an explanation in regard to it should at this time be made.
|
| It has so happened at
various times that the quartermaster at Memphis, Major Anderson, was
without funds, and was by the department prohibited from borrowing.
In consequence of the failure of the quartermaster's department at
Memphis to meet its obligations purchases necessary for the support
and efficiency of this army could not be made on a promise to pay.
My division quartermasters and commissaries could not carry on their
respective departments without funds, and under these circumstances
I did not hesitate to call on the banks of Memphis for aid. They
responded to that call to the amount of $200,000, $100,000 of which
was placed in the hands of Quartermaster J. G. Finnie, whose receipt
therefor is herewith inclosed, and who will account for the
disbursement thereof to your department. The other $100,000 was
placed in the hands of Maj. W. W. Guy, commissary, whose receipt is
also inclosed. The remaining $190,010 was, as you justly remarked to
Mr. Benjamin, expended by quartermaster Maj. Thomas Peters previous
to the arrival of Major Anderson at Memphis. Vouchers for this
amount he has, and I will, with the necessary statement of its
expenditure, forward them to you as soon as it can be made out,
which will be now in the course of a very few days.
|
| I
remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
|
| L. Polk |
| Major-General Commanding |
|