Branch Office, Prov. Mar. Gen'l, A. of P.,

U.S.M.R.R. Depot, Washington, D.C.,

June 13^th 1864

 

Dear General.

                        I send you coppies of papers that you more fully understand what I have been doing since coming here and what has been accomplished. I am speaking now of the facilities offered by which the messes of officers in the army can be supplied. You will notice that Col. Hardie has directed that transportation for vegetables at the rate of 50^bbls. per day be given on the mail boats when it does not interfere with Gov^t transportation. This is very well and of course will be regarded as magnanimous. You will now please read the endorsement signed Genl Halleck which says in substance that Maj. Genl Meade manages the internal arrangements of the Army of the Potomac. After obtaining that I went to the Q.M. Gen^l's Office with it & was given to understand that instructions would be given Gen^l Rucker to transport by mail boat (when it would not interfere with Gov^t. transportation such stores as were desired by officers invoices of which were approved by your order. I was told to return again after Gen^l Meigs had been seen upon the subject. I did return at the appointed time & was told that a telegram had been received from Gen^l Ingalls saying that purveyors and sutlers stores ought not to be sent on Gov^t boats. That of course threw a damper on the whole thing. We understand that the persons who furnish officers are purveyors, or agents, and that officers can be furnished in no other way. However it does no good to talk that here. I was informed by Mr. Dunham that nothing could be done & that my business was at an end. I asked that something be given me in writing that I might report to my superior officer that no facility could be granted whereby officers of the army could be furnished with what was absolutely necessary for their health and comfort. He then said that the whole matter rested with the War Department (from which place he had but just come before telling me). I can assure you I was very glad to know where the power rested & immediately wended my way to that place. After talking to Co^l Hardie he sent for Mr. Dunham who after talking for a time (it seemed to me) was willing to allow the War Department to send to the Army of Potomac vegetables in limited quantities. He Mr D had his usual story to tell about the one half of these sutlers or purveyors being spies & smuggling contraband stores into the Army &c. However as you will see by referring to the papers that I made a request that transportation by mail boat be allowed for stores such as are mentioned to the am^t of say 50 bbl^s per day, the application was for all that seemed to me could be given. I hoped Col. Hardie would direct that transportation for officers stores to the am^t of 50 bbl^s per day be given or whatever would not interfere with Gov^t transportation. We know very well when an officer sends his serv^t to Washington for supplies he desires other things than beets carrots onions &c. I have been thoroughly reminded of this today. The serv^t of Maj Genl. Meade had an invoice approved by your authority and also at the War Department. It contained articles which he is in the habit of obtaining for the Genl^s Mess. He went to Captain Allen at the wharf for transportation & was denied. He the cook again returned to Col Hardie who ordered Cap^t Allen to ship the goods & deemed it proper to say that the stores were for the Maj Genl Com^d A.P. Now with your permission I will make a suggestion though you may not think it necessary to carry it out & will pardon me for making it. I would suggest that you make an application to the Sect of War through the Com^dg Genl. asking that such stores as officers may order and as have your approval (or approval by your authority) be allowed to come to the army on Gov^t transports when it does not interfere with government transportation. I would like to see such an application go forward approved by Gen^l Ingalls & Gen^l Meade and L^t Gen^l Grant if necessary*. [margin: *Perhaps it would be enough if L^t Gen^l Grant were to order it] This arrangement to continue in force only so long as trade is suspended in the army. When that is resumed and traders are allowed to charter vessels they should furnish their own transportation I would have one thing kept in mind, namely, whatever arrangement is made should not in the least embarrass Gov^t the operations of the government. Some difficulties have attended the obtaining coppies of the enclosed papers. But I did it that you might fully understand the case. I have also spun out this letter to an unpardonable length for the same reason. No person has yet come to me from the 18^th Corps. Other Corps have been pretty well represented I will be obliged if you will keep me posted as to your movements & when the necessity for my remaining here has ceased.

           

The rumors here are so numerous that I do not pretend to know anything about the army

                                                                       

Your obdt Serv^t

M N Beckwith

Capt & ADC

 

To Brig Genl Patrick                                                              

            Pro Mar Genl, A.P.

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