Joseph Cloyd to and Chief Commissary of Subsistence, Fourth District, April 12, 1864
Dublin, April 12, 1864.
Maj. B. P. NOLAND, Chief Commissary of Subsistence for Virginia, Richmond:
Masor: Yours of the 7th reached me yesterday. In accordance with last paragraph I immediately telegraphed Captains Wade, Shields, and Venable to hold all breadstuffs and bacon now on hand, collect as rapidly as possible, and hold subject to my order, and to inform me at once the stock on hand. I inclose their replies, which please return me. In yours of April 1 you informed me that ” Major King will be directed to turn over to you all subsistence under his control except at his depot, and confine himself hereafter to issuing to troops supplies received from your department, at the post commissaries.”
Mr. Glendy, my principal cattle agent, has just returned from Monroe and reports that there are parties purchasing cattle there for Mr. Ludington, who purports to be the agent for Major King (and I have no doubt is), under the authority of Major-General Breckinridge. Mr. Glendy says there are some 425 head of cattle held over by Major King from last year, and some six men employed to attend to them, as he was informed, and these men are also engaged purchasing for Mr. Ludington, the agent of Major King. He has purchased about 400 poor cattle, agreeing to pay for them the maximum of the old schedule, in some cases paying 30 cents, paying no attention to the seale of prices. I have engaged the services of a valuable man in Monroe, as agent of that county. I hope he will not be interfered with. My agents can purchase the entire stock of the district in afew weeks if started out at unlimited prices. The question is, major, has Major King, with or without the authority of General Breckinridge or myself, the management of purchases of stock in this district? He cannot put it on the ground of an urgent necessity, because if such really did exist the stock now being purchased cannot be ready for slaughter before August—should not be before October. Some months ago a question was submitted to you from the Commissary-General which you referred to me, if King was paying too much for grazing. The question I believe was submitted by King himself. I saw then that he was but paving the way for this operation, which is but the renewal of last year’s business, and then felt confident that Ludington, the contractor of last year, would again be engaged in the business. I have seen to-day a copy of the Richmond Enquirer, which contains the new schedule, showing an advance in price. These purchases were made under the schedule of $16, $18, and $20. I am very
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much in want of impressment powers for my agents. I am in hopes they will be here by to-day’s mail. Every day’s delay will be felt. The details have not yet reached me or my agents. Some of the last detail I am in hopes will not be renewed after June, if it is possible to secure competent men in their place.
I have seen General Breckinridge on the subject of Major King’s purchasing through Ludington. He says he authorized it and has asked for the permission from Richmond. He desires, he says, to secure for his department provisions which will not be forwarded to other commands. He is simply looking out for his own troops by making purchases through his own commissary and agents. I inclose Captain Wade’s requisition for funds, approved. I have none as yet, though I have received notice of a small amount, $50,000 being transferred to me.
Very respectfully,
Major and Chief Commissary of Subsistence, Fourth District.
{ First indorsement.]
Richmond, April 15, 1864.
Respectfully referred to the Commissary-General of Subsistence,
with request that orders be sent to Major King to turn over all cattle
and other articles of subsistence in his hands except amount at his