South Carolina has set an example in the prices of supplies
for the army, under the Impressment Act, fixed by the Commissioners. By this
schedule (for August, and it will be less in succeeding months) bacon is to be
from 65 to 75 cents per pound beef, 25 cents; corn, $2 per bushel; flour $20;
pork, 35 cents hay, $1.50 per 100 pounds; oats, $2 per bushel; potatoes, $3
rice, 10 cents; sugar, 80 cents; soap, 40 cents; and wheat, $3.50 per bushel.
Gen. Lee writes that the railroad brings him but 1000
bushels of corn per day; not enough to bring up his exhausted cavalry and
artillery horses; and he suggests that passenger cars be occasionally left
behind for the purpose of supplying the army — an indispensable measure.
Gen. Lee also writes that he has 1700 unarmed men in his
army; in two weeks there will be 5000, and in a month 10,000. He suggests that
the troops for local defense here, and even the militia, be disarmed, to supply
his men. This indicates that Lee is to have an immense army, and that
Richmond is to be defended. But the Central and Fredericksburg Railroads must
be repaired immediately, and at any expense to the government, or else all will
fail!
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary
at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 9-10
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