F. W. Sims to Executive Office, February 22, 1864

C. S. QUARTERMASTER’S DEPT., RAILROAD BUREAU,

Richmond, February 22, 1864.

GENERAL: Accompanying this report I respectfully return a communication from the Bureau of Subsistence relative to defective transportation of supplies, in which Maj. W. H. Smith, commissary of subsistence, is quoted as saying that if the ” required reforms in the management of railroad transportation are at once adopted” the supplies of subsistence, which are abundant in Georgia, will be carried to General Johnston’s army. What the ”required reforms” are Major Smith does not mention, and it will be therefore impossible for me to avail myself of their advantage. It shall be my earnest efforts to apply any practicable remedy that is suggested, and I shall seize with alacrity any plan promising relief, but until some feasible proposal is made I will be left to my own resources to manage this vexatious question. The charge of cupidity and corruption against railroad companies and of agents and employés who regard their personal interests as paramount to all other considerations is too vague to admit of investigation. Officers of the Commissary and Quartermaster’s Departments are habitually and publicly charged as the railroad companies are in this communication, and a sense of the injustice we endure should create a charitable spirit. The Charlotte and South Carolina Railroad, however, is particularized as illustrating beyond question that the transportation of this company is beyond what it is legitimately entitled to, and the earnings of this company for last year are cited to prove that this road has done a large business for private parties. To answer this charge I would ask if this road has not performed promptly all the Government business offered it? If it has, then what possible objection can there be to its working for other parties ?

It certainly is not the policy of the Government to confine railroads to Government work exclusively. It is to be hoped this is not one of the ”required reforms.” Last year, when the Government did not need within 50 per cent. of the supplies from Georgia that it is wanting now, a small surplus was accumulated in Richmond. The past twelve months has improved transportation but little, and it will be a cause of congratulation if the Army of Virginia has its daily wants constantly met. It is useless to hope for more, for such expectations will not be realized. Every effort is being made and will continue to do more than this; but I cannot blind myself to the truth, nor will I lead others to do so. The communication says, ” With no efforts to improve transportation, and while the present defective system continues, we must remain in a condition of uncertainty that sooner or later will culminate in disaster.” The writer is mistaken in supposing that no efforts are being made to improve this important branch of public service. Great efforts have been made, and with success. The writer is ignorant of the increased power now occupied between

Augusta and Richmond over last year. Probably 15 locomotives and 200 freight cars are now working between those two points which were not there last year. Does this look as if no efforts were being made? The writer charges that thirty-five cars loaded with corn remained at Gaston one week. This is true, but what was the cause of it? General Pickett seized the trains of the Petersburg Railroad and carried them away to Kinston, causing a total stoppage of business on this road. Are such delays chargeable to transportation or the system under which it is conducted? The demands of the Navy Department may interfere with transportation, but are the claims of that Department to be ignored? No orders have reached me to that effect, and until they do I must continue as heretofore.

The suggestions relative to putting the naval works at Columbus and Charlotte at repairing railroad machinery was recommended to the Honorable Secretary of the Navy, but he did not view it favorably. If the business of transportation was confined to removal of commissary supplies, it would present no difficulty; but it really is less than one-third of the work. It is not at all unusual for persons to suppose that they can manage railroads with much more ability than those who have them in charge. It is still more unusual to find such professions supported by facts. The subject of transportation has had all of my attention, and there is but one way in which it can be improved, and that is by liberal details of machinists from the Army. Details for sixty days do but little good. They must go permanently into the workshops and have material to work with. I have asked for them and they are not granted. Every road has its shop and tools, but it has few workmen. You may work, and plan, and devise, and suggest, and at last you will come to this conclusion. The recent guaranty given by the Secretary of War to those [who] will go into the iron business will come to nothing, because the details asked for were not promised, and it is the same reason that has depreciated the rolling-stock of the country. Jasked once fora detail of one mechanic for every ten miles of railroad in the Confederacy, but so preposterous, I suppose, was considered the demand that no answer was returned tome. I repeat it, transportation must continue to depreciate until the mechanics are detailed. It is a short-sighted, ruinous policy that looks to any other source for relief, and I entreat you, general, not to pass my suggestion by without consideration, and if you would have them substantiated by older and wiser heads I beg you to consult them. All I ask is, let them be practical railroad men. I am willing to do all that I can do, but to improve transportation without men and material is the requisition of the Egyptian taskmaster. Give me the men and you shall see advantages from them. Refuse and I can promise nothing.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Lieutenant-Colonel and Quartermaster.

Shreveport, La., February 8, iSé4.

Secretary of War, Richmond, Va.:

Sir: As requested by the General Assembly, I have the honor herewith to transmit to you a copy of the annexed resolutions, adopted by