OFFICE CHIEF COMMISSARY OF SUBSISTENCE FOR VIRGINIA, January 28, 1868

Richmond, January 28, 1868.

Respectfully referred to the Commissary-General of Subsistence. The subject referred to in this letter is a most important one. The supply of meat in the accessible counties of Virginia has been for many months exhausted, and most of that used by the Army of Northern Virginia is brought from beyond our military lines. It can only be obtained with gold or U. S. paper currency. The supply of gold under the control of the Subsistence Department is exhausted, and no considerable supply of U.S. paper currency can be had. It is not in the country, and our purchasing officers are now in debt for supplies already sent forward, and report that the amount to be obtained of cattle, hogs, &c., is only limited by the amount of funds to be obtained. At present purchases are suspended for the want of means, and unless some steps are speedily taken to get a supply of such money as can be used for this trade these large supplies of meat will be lost to the Army. We are receiving now at least 1,500 cattle and as many hogs per month, besides bacon, lard, &c., from this source, and I therefore respectfully and urgently recommend that the necessary arrangements be made for the supply of the funds needed. B. P. NOLAND, Major and Chief Commissary of Subsistence for Virginia.