k upon Fort Fisher was probably precipitated by these expeditions,
which could in no wise affect the real issues of the war. But Mr.
Mallory was from first to last an incubus upon the country. I do not
impugn his patriotism, nor his private character, but his official
imbecility, which wrought much damage to the cause, is a legitimate
object for censure.

At this period Atlanta had been captured, and a large portion of Georgia
was practically severed from the Confederacy. It was becoming more and
more difficult to provision the troops. The Subsistence Department of
the Confederate Government has been often censured for its alleged
mismanagement. I have personal knowledge of an instance where it
resented the interference of a subordinate. Major Magruder, General
Whiting's chief Commissary, had effected what he believed to be a
mutually beneficial arrangement with the farmers of western North
Carolina. He was to furnish salt and transportation, (the former a very
rare and costly commodity at that time, and the latter difficult to be
obtained); and in return, they were to supply his department with the
cured bacon. The arrangement, when reported to the Department at
Richmond, was cancelled, and the Major, a very zealous and competent
officer, was ordered elsewhere. Surely there must have been grave
mismanagement somewhere; for, several months after the period of which I
now write, and when the army of Northern Virginia was almost reduced to
starvation in February, 1865, there were stored "in the principal
railroad depots between Charlotte, Danville and Weldon inclusive,
rations for 60,000 men for more than four months," and these provisions
were for the exclusive use of the army in Virginia. The fact was
ascertained by taking account of those stores, which was done by order
of General Johnston, "and the very zealous and efficient officer, Major
Charles Carrington, who was at the head of the service of collecting
provisions in North Carolina for the army, was increasing the quantity
rapidly." "The officers of the commissariat in North Carolina, upon whom
the army in Virginia depended for subsistence, were instructed by the
Commissary General just then, to permit none of the provisions they
collected to be used by the troops serving in it."[13]

We sailed in the Chickamauga on the night of October 29th, with a motley
crew, and passed through the blockading fleet without receiving any
damage from numerous shots. We had a fin