Confederate States of America, War Department
| Richmond, November 26, 1863 |
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| His Excellency Jefferson Davis |
| President Confederate States of America |
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| Sir, |
| I have the honor to submit the
following report:
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| The administration of the Department in
all its extensive operations has been greatly impeded by the
deficiency of transportation, especially on railroads. Shut off from
the sea, and with command of very few of its rivers, the Confederacy
is dependent almost wholly on the railroads for communication and
transportation. The roads were not constructed with reference to
such extensive needs, and even in time of peace, with all facilities
of supplies and repairs, would have been inadequate to such duties.
How much less in time of war, with every drawback of deficient
labor, insufficient stock, defective machinery, and scant supplies,
and with exposure often to seizures or spoliations by the enemy,
could they be expected to meet such unexpected requirements. It must
be matter of surprise and gratification that they have sustained
themselves so well and have afforded to the Government and the
people the measure of accommodation they have. It is but a just
tribute to them to say that in the main they have been managed in a
patriotic spirit, and have rarely failed to meet the requirements of
the Government with alacrity and zeal. It has not been necessary
during the year to exercise the large discretionary powers of
control vested by Congress in the Executive over the railroads, for
if repugnancy existed to the just demands of the Government the
known possession of such powers has sufficed to exact compliance.
But while the dispositions of the railroad companies have been good,
their means have gradually been becoming less. The Government has
already given to many some aid, but will have hereafter to render
fuller and more constant assistance. Some of the minor roads will
have to be sacrificed to keep up the tracks of the leading lines.
Iron will have to be provided and rolled for machinery and the
construction and repair of locomotives and rolling-stock. Skilled
mechanics, to some extent, will have to be furnished from the Army,
and for some of the more delicate machinery needed by them
importations from abroad may have to be attempted. With these aids
it is hoped they may not only be maintained, but improved in their
means of transportation. The lowest point of depression has probably
passed. For the first year or more, under the delusive expectation
of the early termination of the war, the companies relied almost
wholly on their existing stock, and made few efforts at supply or
reparation. They scarcely husbanded their resources, which, under
the exhausting demands made on them, became greatly diminished. Of
late, with more experience, a wiser prescience guides their
management, and besides practicing economy of means they are
sedulously engaged in endeavoring to increase their stock, and to
provide for the contingencies of future service or loss. In their
best estate they will not be able to furnish adequate facilities of
transportation for both the Government and the people. From
considerations of public utility and supreme duty, as well as from
their dependence on the aid of the Government, they should be
required by law, as nearly all have engaged by contract to give
preference in all cases to Government freight, so as to command all
their means of transport when necessary. Beyond that it is the fixed
rule of the Department to make no exaction on them, and to attempt
no regulation of their surplus means of transportation, or to award
no special privileges to any in their use, but leave such free to
the discretion and management of their officers. On this subject
misconception has often prevailed, and the charge of favoritism has
been alleged against the Department, but on no point has
inflexibility been more steadfastly maintained and all special
privileges denied. |
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| The Department was aided in effecting
this arrangement {regarding blockade running},
not only by the patriotic feelings of the private owners, but also
by the facilities it was enabled to afford them in commanding
cargoes of cotton without unnecessary delays through the preference
in transportation given by the railroads to cotton ordered by the
Government. Hence, in view of the importance of continuing these
arrangements with private merchants, it has become more than ever
essential that the priority of transportation on the railroads
should be maintained to the Government, for under present laws by
that preference alone can these arrangements for the exportation of
cotton be continued. |
| *** |
| Respectfully submitted, |
| James A. Seddon |
| Secretary of War |
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