| Head Quarters Dist Cape Fear |
| Wilmington 11th June 1863 |
| |
| Mr Ravenel |
| President N. E. R. R.
{Northeastern RR} |
| Charleston |
| |
| Sir, |
| The course furnished by your road in
shipping through to Wilmington the cotton of private parties engaged in
running the blockade, in advance of & to the exclusion of the government
cotton compels me to interfere. Hereafter your cars will not be
permitted to bring cotton or other freight for the blockade runners,
while a single bale of government cotton remains at Florence. The
business of the war cannot be delayed for the advantage of either
speculating or rail roads -- if hereafter your cars are found here in
violation of the above order they will be taken & applied to
transportation of Government freight. |
| Very Respectfully |
| W. H. C. Whiting |
| Maj. Genl. |
|