Dabney H. Maury to Samuel Cooper, January 15, 1865

General S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va.:

GENERAL: Please inform the Secretary of War that the cotton for purchase of supplies for our prisoners was delivered to an officer appointed by General Granger to receive it on the 13th instant. The lightest draft boat in this harbor capable of taking out the cotton was selected. Her draft when loaded was about four feet. There is only one point at which such a boat can pass in or out, and then only when the tide is high. After this boat was loaded no tide came up sufficient to take her out. The cotton was then transferred to flats, and the boat thereby enabled to pass out. Before she could be reloaded a violent storm came up and caused one of the flats with the cotton on it to break adrift. Two days’ delay occurred from this cause. Every effort and means have been exerted to insure prompt execution of the instructions relative to this business, and no delay has occurred which it has been in my power to prevent.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,