NA, CS 5/1/1864

Charlotte, May 1st 1864
 
Major S. B. French
CS
Richmond VA
 
Major,
   Referring to my reports of yesterdays date, I am this morning in recd of a communication from Capt Witherspoon, enclosing copy of your despatch to him: "Communicate with Major W H Smith & say that he will render most able assistance by looking after the meat alluded to in his letter of the 25th and securing as much as possible for shipment to Virginia after which to proceed to Wilmington & await orders." With a little acumen, Capt Witherspoon might have forwarded your telegram by the wires, & this morning I should ????? ?pot ready to do what I could in the premises. As it is, I should have to await the evenings train.
   This morning I find increased ??? of corn at the Depot -- about 8000 sacks {53 car loads}, & but 20 cars here. More have been telegraphed for, but with the too limited rolling stock, the appropriation of a single train to other purposes hinders the movement of corn & other subsistence stores. Cols Sims I learn has his brother Capt Sims at Augusta has 100 cars in readiness for the Piedmont Road {unlikely, since the Piedmont RR was a different gauge from the Georgia RRs}. Until that road is ready for them cannot these cars find useful employment this way?
Very Respectfully
W H Smith
Major & CS

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