Confederate States of America, War Department
| Richmond, November 8, 1862 |
| |
| His Excellency J. G. Shorter |
| Governor of Alabama, Montgomery, Ala |
| |
| Sir, |
| I have received your letter of the 31st
ultimo and have the honor to say in reply that the eight car-loads
of salt per day transported for Stuart, Buchanan & Co., of
Saltville, are under their contract for the supply of the Army. The
Confederate Government has never attempted to exercise any control
over the railroads of the country further than to claim a preference
in the transportation of munitions and supplies for the Army.
Conscious, however, that the Government transportation interferes
with the commerce of the country, and desirous of avoiding such
interference, the Department is now engaged in selecting a
superintendent of railroad transportation, who will be charged with
the duty of regulating it so far as the power of the Government
extends. The Department will most cheerfully do what it can to
facilitate the transportation of salt for the Southern States, and
will be especially happy to aid Your Excellency in supplying the
people of your patriotic State. |
| Very respectfully, your obedient servant |
| Geo. W. Randolph |
| Secretary of War |
|