| Confederate States of America |
| Quarter Master Generals Department |
| Richmond June 2 1863 |
| |
| Hon James A Seddon |
| Secretary of War |
| |
| Sir, |
| I respectfully enclose for your
consideration and decision a report from Major M. Morfit relative to
sundry rail road cars purchased by the late Major W S Ashe Qr Mr for
government use, and which Major M was directed by me to receipt for. |
| It will be perceived by the letter of
Major M. dated 15 April 1863, that when Col. W. M. Wadley was
appointed as chief of transportation he declined to receipt to him (Maj
M) for these cars unless they were actually put in his possession,
which from the nature of the case, it was impracticable to do as the
cars were scattered about and in constant use on different roads.
Consequently he was only able to obtain Col. Ws receipt for 11 cars,
leaving 8 for which he was still responsible. Subsequently, on the
29th May 63, Major W. informs me by letter (which is also
enclosed) that he has received other receipt from Col. W. for five
additional car, and that for one of the remaining three he will
receive a receipt from the Quarter Master at Meridian, Miss, leaving
two still missing and which he asks he may be allowed "to drop" from
his returns. |
| As it appears "from the accompanying
statement that Major M has used every diligence to ascertain the
locality and condition of the two remaining cars, but without
success, it is more than probable that they have been captured, as
suggested by him. His application, therefore, to be permitted to
drop these two cars is, under the circumstances, reasonable,
particularly as the cars were employed on different roads which, in
view of his other official duties, made it absolutely impossible for
him to exercise personal supervision over them. I therefore
recommend that his request be complied with, and that he be relieved
from responsibility therefor. |
| A. C. Myers |
| Q. M. Genl. |
|