Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 02.djvu/111

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Resources of the Confederacy in February, 1865.
101

letters.

December 19—Major Love, Charlotte, North Carolina, advises that he had "shipped two car loads of his own corn," and that "three car loads belonging to Commissary Department await transportation."

December 18—Major A. M. Allen, Columbus, Georgia, states that "he has invoiced 40,000 bushels corn to Quartermaster at Macon," and has "sent competent parties to put it through. Great difficulty in procuring cars from Augusta. Fifteen car loads corn went forward last night from Americus for Major Claiborne. Fifteen loaded will go to-day from Montgomery and Marshalville. Shipped to-day 1,000 sacks to Major Claiborne. On the twentieth will ship 2,000 sacks more from here; also shipped 1,000 bushels peas to Major Claiborne."

December 16—Major Allen: "Transportation agents lean to Quartermaster and not to Commissary Department. Have arranged for eight cars per day, &c."

December 29—H. Cranston, Augusta, Georgia: "From 21st to 28th instant, 4,888 sacks corn went forward."

From the foregoing you will note that the movement of corn for this department has been large and continued actively during the month of December, yet I am compelled to announce the surprising and unaccountable fact that, notwithstanding the shipment enumerated, this department has received no corn from the South during the last thirty days.

This condition of affairs has left us without any supply for the daily wants of the troops in this State, to say nothing of the necessity of reserving flour to be converted into hard bread for active movements during the spring campaign, which, under existing circumstances, is impracticable, as our limited stock of flour on hand will be entirely consumed to meet immediate wants, and with little or no prospect of further accumulations this season. Foreseeing from the shortness of the wheat crop of 1863, that sufficient flour could not be collected for our wants during 1864, I addressed you a letter on the 3d September last, in which the need of corn was stated, and showing that a deficiency of nearly 50,000 bushels existed between the amount shipped by Major Allen, at Columbus, Georgia, and that received by Major Claiborne, at Richmond, which up to this time has never been accounted for.

Early in December I advised you that we were not receiving corn enough for the wants of General Lee's army, regardless of other and equally pressing demands upon us for subsistence, and stating that there was an ample supply of corn in the country, if it were rendered available, by reforms in the management of transportation.

On the 17th December I again addressed you a letter, stating that the receipts of grain in Virginia were reduced to nothing, and