| Columbia, April 21st 1864 |
| |
| Major S. B. French |
| CS |
| Richmond VA |
| |
| Major, |
| I arrived here this morning &
have fully conferred with officers of the Company & Qr Masters
Department & visited the Junction. |
| A decided improvement is
manifest in the shipment of Govt property since my visit in January
last. There have been no heavy accumulations and goods go off with
despatch. Charlotte has been most heavily pressed & has impressed the
transportation of the N Carolina road, so that Major Myers ha had delay
& trouble in getting off his goods. Another train has been secured for
the relief of that road and I have cause to believe the Major will have
less trouble hereafter. An Engine for train designed for him had broken
down which was the source of some disappointment to him. I urge upon
Major Myers as well as Majors Todd & Lowe to use all diligence in buying
supplies & in pushing them forward to you. |
| Capt Jones AQM at Augusta
advises Major Grice here that he has now ample transportation & that
corn goes forward as fast as it arrives A Georgia train past through
yesterday, laden primarily with Comy Corn, & 600 bags flour for Major
Tannehill. |
| I take the early morning train
for Augusta where I hope to hear from you. |
| Very Respectfully |
| W H Smith |
| Major & CS |