J. F. Cummings to His Excellency JosEPH E. BRown, January 18, 1864

His Excellency JosEPH E. BRown, Milledgeville, Ga.:

Sir: I have just returned from the front, where I have held a consultation with General Johnston about feeding the army. In the frequent want of animal food he has determined to issue rations of whisky, and to do this it is necessary for me to make contracts for the same in large quantities. I have already made several, and in all cases require contractors to furnish me the entire product of the grain turned over to them. My object in addressing you is to ascertain if, under the statutes of the State, any other steps are necessary to enable my contractors to carry out their agreements. Please answer at your earliest convenience, as the demands upon me for whisky are urgent and beyond my present means of supply.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,