| From the New Orleans Daily Crescent |
| |
| September 11, 1861 |
| |
| Letter from Virginia |
| Special to the New Orleans Crescent |
| Richmond Sept. 4, 1861 |
| The Government, this morning,
ordered the military possession of the East Tennessee
{& Virginia} Railroad. The inattention and
gross negligence of the superintendent and employees have resulted in
the accumulation of near four thousand tons of Government freight
between Chattanooga and Bristol, including hospital stores for the sick,
and contributions to our soldiers. In taking possession of the rolling
stock on the road, instructions have been sent out today to pass into
the service of the Confederate States all the engines which reach
Chattanooga from Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama. The wisdom of this
measure will be acknowledged by all, and notwithstanding the personal
inconvenience to which many will be subjected, every patriot citizen
will submit with pleasure. Include in this vast accumulation of
Government freight, may be mentioned sugar, coffee, rice and blankets,
medicine and hospital stores. The army is suffering greatly for the
last-named articles. Many of the regimental surgeons have access to a
less variety of medicines than the medical bags of a country doctor at
the close of the sickly season would exhibit. In four or five days, all
the freight on the East Tennessee road will be landed at its place of
destination and the travel on the road ill be free and uninterrupted.
For the future, no superintendent will be permitted to form a depot, at
his whim or pleasure, for Government freight. An agent of the Government
will be always present to guard against a recurrence of this shameful
abuse. It is to be regretted that the proper authorities neglected this
measure so long, as it as well known that the entire population, about
and contiguous to the road, was more or less disaffected towards the
Confederacy. |
|