|
Augusta, Ga. Decr 31st, 1864
|
| |
| To |
| His Excellency Jefferson Davis |
| President of the Confederate States |
| |
| Amidst the unavoidable confusion which now
exists in this section of our country, and in view of the many
obstacles which retard the business of supplying the troops of the
South and West, I would most respectfully suggest to your Excellency,
to recommend the passage of a law by Congress for the erection of an
office which would aid the Quartermaster General in controlling more
effectively the different branches of his Department. By creating an
office of this kind, to be known as the assistant Quarter Master
General in the Field, with rank and pay of a Colonel of Cavalry, it is
my opinion the Country would be valuably served, and its armies more
bountifully and promptly supplied; and my opinion is based upon these
reasons: From nearly four years service in almost every branch of the
Q. M. Department, my daily experience teaches me, that, now
especially, such a Subordinate is particularly necessary, since all
communication with the central Bureau at Richmond is in so critical a
condition, and our RRd lines so insecure and broken. |
| The distribution of Money and Troops; the
investigation and payment of Claims, and the reconstruction of broken
lines of Communication with energy and spirit are subjects, in
themselves of sufficient importance to warrant the appointment of such
an officer, if there were not a multitude of others almost equally
urgent. It is evident that a controlling hand, on the spot, and
moveable, according to the shifting necessities of the times, would be
far more likely top accomplish great good, and avoid the confusion
that eventuates under the present system, where order often conflicts
with order, and officer with officer. |
| Such an assistant to the Quartermaster
General should be clothed, through his superiors, with full authority,
and armed with instructions to watch and remedy in the shortest time,
all interruptions in the regular and free Communication, between the
different Posts of the Department. He should be charged with the duty
of General Inspection and Report, both as to the wants of the field
and the necessities and capacity of Posts, and of large Depots of
Supply, such as those at Augusta, Columbus and Montgomery, together
with a special supervision of these three. |
| Our lines with Montgomery and Mobile have
been broken some time, and communication with Richmond almost closed.
The Rail Road from Savannah to Charleston {the
Charleston & Savannah RR} is useless to the Govt --
the iron of which, new in comparison to that of other Roads might be
removed in great part and placed in Augusta at the earliest
practicable moment, in contemplation of the opening of a new road from
Augusta to Columbia {the Columbia & Augusta
RR}. The iron of the Central Ga Road {Central
(of Georgia) RR} from Millen south
and west should also be removed, and that from Millen to Augusta {Augusta
& Savannah RR} taken
if necessary. The Georgia Road is a perfect wreck from Social Circle
to Atlanta, a distance of sixty miles, and will not be completed at an
early day. With iron taken from the Road between Milledgeville &
Eatonton {part of the Central (of Georgia) RR} (wholly worthless now to the country or Government as a
road), and with a part of the rail of the Central R. Rd., the line
already graded and tresseled from Mayfield on the Ogrdill in Warren
Co. Ga. to Milledgeville {the Milledgeville RR}, a distance of 34 miles, can be completed in
a short time, and this seems an interior line of communication of
considerable utility, and 150 miles nearer Columbus, Ga., than the
route by Atlanta. And this, with the Ga. Road completed of iron taken
from the Washington & Athens Branches {of
the Georgia RR} would open up to us a direct
interior line, and two lines south via Atlanta. |
| From the drifting of public sentiment
among this constitutionally erratic people, I look upon the early
resumption of communication west as a subject of paramount -- indeed
of vital interest. |
| There are many cogent reasons, which might
be urged for the appointment of such an officer as I have indicated
herein, which will readily suggest themselves to you, and to which it
is unnecessary for me to recur. I trust, Sir, that you will pardon my
presumption in calling attention to the subject in any way, but its
great interest at this juncture has caused me to force the subject
upon you, and the love of my country and my intense desire for a
successful & speedy termination of this great argument is my only
excuse. |
| With the earnest well wishes of an early
friend and admirer, I have the honor to be |
| Very Respectfully |
| Yr Obt Servt |
| L. C. Bridewell |
| Major & Q. M. |
| Augusta, Ga. |
|