John Milton to James A. Seddon, January 11, 1864

Hon. JAMES A. SEDDON, Secretary of War, Richmond, Va.:

Sir: Iam informed by the judges of probate and ecunty commissioners of several counties in the State that they cannot procure the corn necessary to support the soldiers’ families. I am also informed that large amounts of corn have been collected as tithes at various depots which cannot be transported from the State before it will be seriously damaged, and that the amount is more than is sufficient to sustain the troops now in service in the State. Presuming the facts stated to be true, there are two reasons why I should be pleased to receive from Colonel Northrop an order upon his officers, at points in the State where it can be spared, to deliver to my order for the use of soldiers’ families an aggregate of 10,000 or 12,000 bushels of corn upon payment of the amount per bushel at which its value has been fixed by the commissioners of the State and Confederate States. It will prevent a loss to the Confederate Government and will save the families of soldiers from suffering. The question may be asked, Is there not corn in the State sufficient for the wants of the citizens besides that received as tithes? And if the Government shall need corn during the year, can it be obtained? I believe there is corn enough in parts of the State for the general supply, and if the Government shall now spare the corn from the tithes, that hereafter a larger amount may be obtained from the farmers if needed. If it is asked why it is not purchased by the county commissioners from those who have it, the reply is that county commissioners have no legal right to impress, and therefore cannot purchase. I admit that this is an unhappy state of affairs, but it is beyond my contrul. My opinion is that if the soldiers’ families were supplied as I propose, many who now hold and refuse to sell their corn would be glad to sell at less than prices now affixed, and if needed by the Confederate Government they would necessarily be compelled to sell to avoid impressments, and that the corn and subsistence received as tithes, which the Government has not the means of transporting, should be used to sustain the troops in service here and the families of soldiers that require assistance, and then if there shall be a need for more, those who have to spare should be made to do so unless they willingly supply the demands of the Government. From personal observation lately made, I am enabled to state that there are immense quantities of provender, especially in Southwestern Georgia, awaiting transportation and being injured and lost to the Government for the want of means to transport it. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of bales of fodder have already been injured and useless. To remedy the evil, why should not the Government, by contract or impressment, take charge of the passenger trains a few weeks, remove the seats, and transport in them the provender and subsistence needed by our armies, which is being injured and lost for the want of transportation? Recently I have received communications from General Perry’s brigade, copies of which are inclosed. In a letter addressed to the President, dated October 5, 1863, I wrote, in consequence of General Lee’s letter to me, as follows:

With regard to the return of General Perry’s brigade and the recruiting of it as proposed, I would respectfully suggest, in compliance with the views of General Lee for supplying the place of General Perry’s brigade with other troops, that the First Regiment of Georgia Regulars and the Sixty-fourth Georgia Regiment, now in this State, would constitute a larger force than General Perry’s brigade, and if General Cobb had not been absent from the State when I received General Lee’s letter I should have submitted to his consideration the propriety and necessity of the change.

The regiments were suggested because I believed them to be better

drilled and better qualified to supply the place of General Perry’s brigade than any other I could suggest. The Sixty-fourth Regiment has been ordered to Savannah, and I am informed the First Regiment has received orders to hold itself in readiness for immediate removal beyond the State. I would respectfully insist, in justice to the brigade and for the defense of the State, that General Perry’s brigade should be ordered immediately to Marianna, in West Florida, if it is possible to spare it a few months from General Lee’s command. The reasons why I designate Marianna are— in Washington County, there are many deserters and many persons who have fled from other States to avoid conscription. These persons have contaminated a large portion of the citizens, and constant communication is kept up with the enemy, who is massing forces on Santa Rosa Island, evidently with the purpose of making a raid in that portion of the State, which is comparatively defenseless. The sheriff of the county and others who are persons of influence have gone to the enemy, carrying with them their horses, &c., and will pilot them in any raid which may be attempted. I assert this to be true with a full knowledge of the facts. I entertain no doubt that unless preventive measures shall be promptly adopted that the portion of the State between the Apalachicola and Choctawhatchie Rivers will be desolated by the enemy during the winter. It is now threatened, and the freshet in the Apalachicola at this time would prevent re-enforcements from this portion of the State.

Second. I believe a greater number of recruits would be more promptly received to fill up the brigade, especially if newly organized companies should be assigned to the brigade.

I would, moreover, respectfully invite your attention to the accompanying correspondence between Maj. P. W. White and myself. I see no propriety or justice in able-bodied men who are subject to conscription being shielded from military service by being appointed agents to make impressments. Those who are subject should be conscripted. If impressing agents shall be necessary, let them be men not liable to military service or be detailed for the purpose. Young and able-bodied men should not be screened from military service by being employed in the Quartermaster’s and Commissary Departments. Nothing but positive orders will bring them into service. The slightest discretion permitted to those who have appointed them will devise pretexts to retain them in service. Old men and disabled soldiers should perform these light duties, but no old man or disabled soldier will ever be deemed qualified by a quartermaster or commissary while he has a favorite which he desires to retain in his employment. In these departments radical changes can only be effected by positive orders and frequent and rigid inspections. The corruptions of office manifested by suddenly acquired wealth have generated a widespread desire for speculation and wealth which has overcome the obligations of patriotism and endanger the very existence of the Confederate States. Notwithstanding the alleged depreciation of the currency, people of all ages and conditions seem wild in its accumulation, regardless of consequences and careless as to the result, though it lead to the destruction of their liberties.

I have frankly expressed to you the views I entertain from a sense of duty, and under the unpalatable and sad conviction that the general tendency of our national affairs does not inspire confidence. The causes which destroy public confidence, the two chief impediments to our ability to compete with the enemy, are the corrupt practices exhibited in the Quartermaster’s and Commissary Departments and the want of suitable regulations to put in service and keep there those able to fight. In almost every town and village are persons in uniform under some pretense of public service, which the people perceive is never performed. This state of affairs has resulted chiefly from permitting new military organizations rather than sustaining those in service, and thus forcing the necessity for the seeming employment of officers who have lost their commands. Judging from their proceedings as published, it seems to be the purpose of Congress to remedy these as well as other evils; but I apprehend their labor is too sweeping, and will result in the overthrow of existing social organizations resting upon the avocations of labor necessary to subsist the armies in the field, the Confederate and State Governments, and to save the country from famine and its fearful consequences.

While engaged in writing the foregoing views to submit to your consideration, additional companies of cavalry have arrived at this place. They are part of a battalion recently raised by Colonel Hood, of Georgia, upon the recommendation of Brigadier-General Cobb, and if I am correctly informed this battalion of seven companies is practically without arms, as are other cavalry commands in this State. The proportion of cavalry to infantry in this State seems to me to be excessive, and considering the demand for corn to subsist the people and armies, would it not be prudent, if an additional cavalry force is needed in Virginia, and it can be armed at Richmond, to order a cavalry regiment from this State to Virginia, and thus enable General Lee to spare Brigadier-General Perry’s brigade to return to Florida to meet threatened emergencies and torecruit? I presume the Second Florida Cavalry Regiment, commanded by Col. Caraway Smith, exceeds in number the aggregate of Brigadier-General Perry’s brigade. They have been in service here nearly two years, and are, I believe, well mounted and of good material. To assist in making any defense which may become necessary, the State is without arms, and for the reason that I have promptly and freely used the arms belonging to the State in equipping the troops in Confederate service. May I not confidently appeal to you to send by Mr. Wilson, the agent of the State, 1,000 stand of small-arms, muskets or rifles, with accouterments, ammunition, and caps, to be disposed of by me as shall become necessary in the defense of the State. Under existing circumstances I can see no possible opportunity of maintaining the existing organization of Perry’s brigade unless it shall be ordered back to the State to recruit, as it is well known to the Department I have no means at ‘my disposal to aid in maintaining the organization. I can only make suggestions respectfully that the War Department may exercise a sound discretion under a sense of justice to the brigade and to the State.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully,