| Bureau of Subsistence |
| Richmond, Decr 15th/64 |
| |
| Col. L. B. Northrop |
| Commissary General |
| |
| Colonel, |
| From statements received within the past
twenty four hours, it is ascertained that the daily issues for
Richmond & Petersburg now amount to 94,000 rations, and as the
Subsistence required to meet this demand can only be transported
over one line of road -- that from Greensboro & Danville {the
Piedmont RR} to Richmond & Petersburg {via
the Richmond & Danville RR or the South Side RR}, it becomes necessary that the proper
arrangements should be ??? made to secure adequate transportation,
as those now existing -- judging from our receipts -- are wholly
insufficient to supply our wants. It is proper to state in
connection that we shall be compelled to look entirely to the South
for supplies -- Virginia having been pretty well exhausted &
that all other means of conveyance terminating at Richmond, except
the one indicated, can therefore send us no assistance. |
| The following statement accurately
relates the transportation required: |
| 94000 |
Rations |
Bread |
@ |
1 lb |
94,000 |
lbs |
| 47000 |
" |
Pork or Beefs |
@ |
1/3 " |
15,666 |
" |
| 47,000 |
" |
Beef |
@ |
1 " |
47,000 |
" |
| All other stores |
30,000 |
" |
| Estimated for Loss
& Wastage |
20,000 |
" |
|
|
|
|
|
206,666 |
" |
| Add 15 per cent for
accumulation |
31,000 |
" |
| Grand Total |
237,666 |
" |
|
| or 20 car loads of the average capacity of 12,000
lbs. |
| Of the foregoing, by direction of Gen'l
Lee, two fifths (2/5) are required to be sent to Petersburg via
Danville & South Side and the balance, three fifths (3/5) to
Richmond. |
| I respectfully request that this matter
may be brought to the immediate attention of the Quarter Master
General. |
| Very respectfully |
| Your obdt servant |
| S. B. French |
| Maj. & C. S. |
|