| Richmond, Va. Augt. 23d 1864 |
| |
| Robert E. Lee |
| |
| Genl., |
| Yours of yesterday recd. Have enquired of
the Qr Master Genl. in relation to the question of forage, the supply
of which as you are aware was mainly drawn from Southwestern Georgia,
communication with which was interrupted by the enemy's recent raid on
the {Virginia} Central
R. R. That road
is again at work, and the Qr Master Genl expects the first lot of corn
from Macon since the road was broken will arrive in 4 or 5 days, and
that if there be no further interruption there will be a steady
succession in the arrivals from that quarter, and that the amount will
be adequate for the supply of your Army. He is quite confident that
the Danville and Piedmont R. R. can transport all which can be brought
to their terminus. One of the difficulties of which he complains is
that of getting the corn from the plantations to the Depots, and this,
he says is mainly due to the withdrawal of the detailed men, Overseers
and farmers from their homes for temporary Military service. |
| I have had serious apprehension that the
source of supply might be exhausted by the retreat of the Army of Tenn,
and the consequent exposure of the Atlanta & Montgomery R. R., the
possession of which by the enemy would compel that Army to draw its
supplies from the same quarter which is relied on to furnish corn for
the Army of Va. West of the Ala. River, there is an abundant supply of
corn, large quantities of which are stored along the rail roads and
navigable rivers. The reported amount now at Montgomery is 300,000
bus. & the receipts are said to be equal to the amounts sent
forward from there daily. Tho' 600 wagons were put on the break on the
West Point R. R. , and another train of wagons is running from
Montgomery to the R. R. at Union Springs {the
Mobile & Girard RR}. If Genl Hood is successful
against Sherman, and we suffer no serious disaster, so as to deprive
us of the supplies in Middle Ala. and east Missi., I think we shall be
better able to sustain an Army hereafter than we were in the first
year of the war. I directed inquiry to be made for oats in Va. &
N. Ca. but have been disappointed, by learning that but a small amount
can be obtained. I would seem, therefore, that for the supply of
forage, we must mainly rely upon the R. R. connection with the South,
by way of Danville & Greensboro. I trust the enemy will not be
able to reach that road. |
| I cannot say I was surprised that the
enemy have been able to break the Weldon R. R., tho' I regret that
they should have had time to fortify themselves as a consequence of
feeble attacks made upon them at the time of their first occupation of
it, which, as I understand, was during the absence of the force he had
detached to the north side of the James river. Interposed, as he now
is, between your Army and Weldon, I have felt increased apprehension
lest an attack should be made upon the Wilmington. The recent success
at Mobile might naturally encourage such an effort. I sent a telegram
to Genl. Holms to urge the preparation of Reserves for immediate
service, and a further increase of the force at Wilmington. |
|
The Northern papers clearly indicate the change of plan on
the part of Genl Grant which you think suggested by his operations, and
they seem to render it quite certain that his movement to the north side
of James river was not intended as a feint, but adopted as an easier
line under existing circumstances to approach Richmond. I will do
whatever is in my power, and in the manner you request, to aid you in
defeating the new plan, and I hope you will be as successful as you have
heretofore been against this and other Generals of the enemy who have
been sent to reduce the Capital of the Confederacy and to humble the
pride of Va. |
| Very respectfully & truly yours |
| Jefferson Davis |
| Also in OR, Series 1, Vo. 42, Part 2, Page 1097 |
|