OR, Series 1, Vol. 31, Part 3, Page 675

Office Chief Commissary for Mississippi
Meridian
November 9, 1863
 
Col. B. S. Ewell
Assistant Adjutant-General
 
Colonel,
   I am in receipt of a communication from Major Moore, chief of subsistence, indicating the views of the commanding general upon the importance of "drawing all the stores possible from the regions of country bordering on the Mississippi Central Railroad," and upon other matters incidental to the collection of supplies for the army.
   In communications to the commanding general of this date I have had the honor of showing that efforts were being made to collect the supplies from the section of the State referred to by General Johnston. I had also to state the importance of military protection for agents employed in forwarding stock. The amount of transportation under control of this department is so limited that while corn can be sent to advantage by railroad, in my opinion it would be more economical to the Government and more advantageous every way to use whatever additional wagons can be obtained in forwarding sugar from localities where it is now found to the points of receipt upon the railroad. By increasing the means of transportation the cost of sugar now obtained would be materially diminished. I am also of the opinion that new corn cannot be ground into meal without great loss, and that meal of this kind could scarcely be kept for two weeks without spoiling.
   *****
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. H. Dameron
Major and Chief Commissary of Subsistence

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