The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 45, In Two Parts. Part 2, Correspondence, etc. Page: 639
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CHAP. LVII.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-CONFEDERATE. 639
[Inclosure.]
OFFICE CHIEF QUARTERMASTER,
GENERAL BEAUREGARD'S CoMMAND,
Montgomerg, Ala., December 1, 1864.
Hon. G. A. TRENHOLM,
Secretary of the Treasury, Richmond, Va.:
As chief quartermaster of this military division, I respectfully request
that 5,000 bales of cotton from that now in the hands of the tithe
agent, or agent of the produce loan, or any other cotton in the State of
Mississippi, be turned over to Maj. L. Mims, chief quartermaster of the
State of Mississippi, who has been ordered by the honorable Secretary
of War to superintend the exchange of Government cotton for army
supplies. There is now the most pressing necessity for blankets, shoes,
axes, stationery, medicines, hardware, leather, horses and mules, bacon
and salt, to meet the i mmgdiate wants of the army. I have ascertained
that prompt payment in cotton will readily secure adequate supplies,
and in this manner a considerable quantity of cotton-badly put up,
now exposed to the weather, and liable to be destroyed by the enemy-
might be utilized before it becomes utterly worthless. No draft would
then have to be made upon the supplies accumulating at Richmond,
which could be devoted exclusively to General Lee's army. Large
expense in transportation would be saved, both from and to the sea-
board, and to that extent the overburdened railroad facilities relieved.
The late and frequent interruptions of railroad communications has
caused much suffering in the army, and as this may continue some time,
it is suggested that some other source of supply must be sought.
Arrangements can be made to meet this end fully, on a basis of 40 cents
per pound for cotton in Federal currency, and invoice cost for goods,
governed by prices current of the date, at the place of purchase, allow-
ing 33& per cent. on the prime cost to cover all expenses to the agreed
point of delivery, and the supplies made deliverable within reach of
the army. Believing this proposition will be beneficial, both pecuniarily
and as a means of supplying our wants, I trust that it will meet your
approval. Should it do so, I will cheerfully undertake any labor to
secure its full results, and enforce entire obedience to such instructions
as you may think proper to give.
I am, with the greatest respect.
E. WILLIS,
Chief Quartermaster, Military Division of the West.
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE WEST,
Montgomery, Ala., December 2, 1864.
General E. KIRBY SMITH,
Commanding Trans-Mississiippi Department:
GENERAL: You are probably aware that the Army of Tennessee,
under General J. B. Hood, has penetrated into Middle Tennessee as
far as Columbia, and that the enemy is concentrating all his available
forces, under General Thomas, to oppose him. It is even reliably re-
ported that the forces under Generals A. J. Smith, in Missouri, and
Steele, in Arkansas, have been sent to re-enforce Thomas. It becomes,
then, absolutely necessary, to insure tihe success of Hood, either that
you should send him two or more divisions, or that you should at once
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The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Additions and Corrections to Series 1, Volume 45. (Pamphlet)
Errata sheets for the Records of the War of the Rebellion include additions and corrections to the text and the index for Series 1, Volume 45.
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United States. War Department. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 45, In Two Parts. Part 2, Correspondence, etc., book, 1895; Washington D.C.. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth142229/m1/653/?q=thrall: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.