Ira R. Foster to Edwin M. Stanton, February 17, 1864

Honorable SECRETARY OF WAR, Richmond, Va.:

Sir: [ have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of my returned communication to you of the 30th ultimo. I respectfully express my thanks for the promptness with which my communication was honored. I am fearful, however, that the indorsement of QuartermasterGeneral A. R. Lawton will not remove the impediments thrown in the way of my agents by military commandérs. I therefore inclose you this indorsement, and beg that you will furnish me such an order as will enable me to secure the supplies which General Lawton expresses a willingness I should collect. It is far from being the intention of this department to come into competition with officers of the Confederate States. Our only desire is to relieve the necessities of Georgia troops in Confederate service. To this end we are anxious to secure supplies in Florida, which, if not collected by us, may be lost, either through the approach of the enemy or the forgetfulness of our own people. If the order solicited be granted it will assist this department materially in shoeing and clothing those troops from Georgia whose wants may exceed the supplies of the Confederate Quartermaster’s Department during the coming autumn and winter, should the necessities of our country then demand their presence on the field. Pleading, then, the necessities of our suffering troops as an apology for my importunity, and trusting to your usual promptness,

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,