Lot 903
Original Confederate "Subsistence Report for December 1863". December 1863 Confederate "Subsistence Report," Nine manuscript pages, most 9¾ x 7½ in. and most written in pencil, by L.B. Northrop as Confederate Commissary General of Subsistence.
A few excerpts: "… The stock brought from Florida forms the supply used at Charleston, Savannah & the coasts of So. Ca. & Georgia. The stock reported on hand in Florida…are forwarded to Genls Bragg & Beauregard as rapidly as they are collected. It is impossible to estimate from any data… what proportion of bacon may be expected for the coming year… last year… it was then estimated that 150,000 hogs would be obtained from Tennessee. Now the whole of that state has been overrun… absence of returns or estimates from Georgia, Alabama, or Mississippi… Hog cholera everywhere… in many places an actual scarcity of meat… the difficulty of getting it is greatly increased by the derangement of the currency… (the Confederate) Congress, at its last session, passed what is known as the appraisement act, and this Bureau has been operating under that law ever since it became evident that to pay the prices asked would not only fail to procure supplies, but would bankrupt the government…. the Bureau had advanced $100,000 of its own funds in gold to the construction of steamers or purchase of provisions… relying upon the cotton that should go forward to repay that expenditure… it is hoped if the port at Wilmington shall continue open that a continuous supply of meat mey be attained in this way: not enough, however to meet the wants of our armies." He also discusses sugar, wheat, and corn supplies and inadequate railroad transportation. Speaking of the Army of Northern Virginia, he notes: "It is expected by Major Carrington Qr: Msr. that he will want for Genl: Lee's army alone 1,500,000 bushels corn above what he ascertains to be the surplus of Virginia…" Much more important content. The document is unsigned, having overall minor soiling and a few scattered stains and edge splits. A rare and extensive Confederate subsistence report.
Estimated Value $1,000 - 2,000.
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