The Union. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1863-1866, 1863-11-20
An Intercepted Letter from the
Rebel COmmissary General.


The following letter, written in April last
by L. B. Northrup, Commissary General of
the 'Confederacy," to the rebel Secretary of
War, furnishes reliable inside view of jeff
Davis's Republic. From all accounts there
can be little doubt that the scarcity of sup
plies then forseen is now beginning to DO re-
allied.
'r ATHENS, April rs, 1868.
Hon. Jan,es A. Seldom, Secretary Of Var!
Sir.-As the excessive want of supplies in
this department will require me to proceed
back to Atlanta, Ca, Def re returning to the
capital deem it expedient in view Of the
present Importance, to acquaint you by letter
of the impressions received from my con-
ference with the Governors, &c. Governors
Brown, ShorteEan Vance only w0represent /;
but Gov. Pettus, have learned, arrived at
Milledgeville after my departure. \
1t is obvious that something must be done
Immediately, or both the people and army
must starye next winter. This is an alarm
ing reflection, but it is fully warranted by the
situation. Now is the time to avert the i'm
pending danger. A few days more and it
will be too late.
Several plans were suggested by the Gov
ernors for promoting our object-among them
that of convoking the farmers at numerous
points throughout the States, and addressing
them through prominent speakers on the alb
solute Importance of meeting the wants of the
nation. Although this plan was favorably
regarded, it was deemed too late in the sea-
son to attain the desired results by its execu-
ton; and the Governors finally decided to
send an address-not to be published by the
press, exposing our wants to the enemy-to
all the leading planters in their respective
States, urging upon them the imperative ne
cessity of producing all the grain, live stock,
&C., possible. But since the appeal of the
President is disregarded by this class of citi-
zens, what response can we expect them to
make to similar appeal of the Governors
In my Judgment, none.
1t is only by more rigorous, and indeed ar
bitrary measures, that we can prevent dis
tress in our towns, and subsist the armies in
the field through the next winter and spring.
The appeal put forth by the President, and
the one proposed by the Governors will be en-
tirely useless. This is the opinion also Of
Gen. Bragg, with whom conferred two hours
at Dalton. The general suggests three plans
for preventing the threatened famine. The
first is, that the President, by proclamation,
prohibit the raising of any more cotton and
tobacco, or clearing of new lands until further
notice. The second is, that by proclamation
he order all planters to seed certain number
of acres of grain or other articles of necessary
consumption, in proportion to the quantity Of
cleared land and negroes belonging to them.
The third is for the government to take DOS
session of the plantations, or such portion Of
them as the owners do not intend to seed with
grain, &C., and employ the negroes belonging
thereto in raising snch agricultural products
as may be deemed necessary. Officers and
soldiers who have been rendered by wounds
and disease unfit for further service in the
field, could be employed as superintendents
and overseers. evsGs'
The last mentioned plan appears to me to
be feasible and entirely the best that can now
be adopted. As reasonable compensation
would of course be allowed for the use of the
land, negroes, &C., think the plan would in
general meet with favor. AT all events, the
measure would be no more arbitrary than
others the government has been forced 10 re-
sort TO, and in view Of the emergency, and as