Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-07-06

y. 1t. MEM MlNGEh
Secretary Of the Treasury.
CoIUMBus, MISS, April 9, 1864
Condition Of the Cotton.
From every source Of information, it is certain,
that the cotton in the exposed district is in the
most deplorable condition. Large plantations are
abandoned everywhere, and cotton has been left in
sheds. These tumble down or are blown down.
Stray cattle destroy the cotton; soldiers, particu-
arly cavalry, strip it of the ropes and baggng,
make use of it for beds, scattering it in every d.
rection; fires are Of frequent occurrence per acct
dent or incendiarism the poor of the county take
way as much as they can make use of runaway
negroes devastate; thieves, with whom the coun-
try abounds carry off the cotton by wholssals, ira
ng it to the Yankees, or hiding it in inaccessible
places-they do it at night or even in broad day
light as there is little law in the country. Even
those who have sold their cotton to the Govern
Dient, in their desperate fortunes regarding them
selves as beyond the protection or reach Of the
Confederacy, sell it again to the Yankees, upon
the pretext that they will replace it out of the
next crop, out of cotton in other quarters They
Justify the act by their necessities. There is
10 fear that the soldiery are sometimes implicated
in the guilt Parties visit the section with forged
powers represent themselves as Government agents,
and take away the cotton using force, if necessa-
~. General generalization prevails throughout
much of the entire section reaching to every class.
Trade Nth the enemy Is uniuersal. The tempta.
tons to fraud are overwhelming. Even our own
agents are often charged with completely. have
endeatored to procure men familiar with the
country, and the best recommended. They report
II to be impracticabe to prevent the depredatons.
Quantity of Cotton in the District
From the report of agents, estimate that there
are about ten thousand bales of cotton, owned by
Government, remaining in the district It cost the
Government from eight to fifteen cents in its depre-
ciated issue, and is yet capable of reimbursing us
for all losses in the district The cotton, for rea-
sons above, is generally in miserable condition.
Eyen whom best protected and guarded, the bag.
glng and rope will burst after several years. Most
of the representations made to Richmond, and
to which the Secretary has frequently called my
attention, have reference to these cottons. Those
in other parts Of the State are receiving constant
supervision from my agents. The owners being
ON the estates, makes the matter practicable Large
quantities of cotton owned by private parties who
reside out Of the State, being greatly neglected,
are frequently reported to be Government cotton
Burning Cotton by tho Military.
This has been accomplished in the widest and
most irrational manner. Under the influence of
panic, thousands and ten thousands of bales have
been burned, which the enemy could not possibly
have reached. Even in presence of mere cavalry
raids the torch has been frequently used The
most incompetent persons are often employed. The
greatest possible irregularities occur Whilst the
cotton of some parties is burned that of others is
spared. The charge Of collision is frequently
made; certain it is that general principle has
been observed. Cotton is burned and no RECENT
given. 1t is burned at times with the Clubhouse.
IL is ordered to be turned out for burning, and af
ter being stripped for the purpose is left un6urned
to be destroyed by the weather or cattle or to be
carried away. 1t is burned ruthlessy and madly.
in places remote from danger whilst entire dis
tricts, contiguous to the enemy, are spared. The
commanding General Johnston admitted this, in
conversation with me, and deplored it. Thus, the
most intense heart-burnings are engendered, and
much Of the decentralization among the people fire..
quently referred to, is the result In one county,
(Wiknson,O the cavalry burned public cotton only.
leaving the private cotton untouched Private psr.
ties and holders will not burn, fearing retaliation
from the enemy.
Rsmosal of tho Cotton.
Frequent orders from Richmond have come To
semooe the cotton from the exposed districts and
large organization was set on foot by me for the
purpose. Responsible and competent persons were
sent into the district with ample means and author
lty. After an experiment Of nearly six months
the whole may be regarded failure In thai
time eight hundred bales were brought out from
the south western countless at an expense equal Il
nearly the original cost and sent to Enterprise tt
oo stored. Inns was regarded most eligible
point but it reached there only in time to b.
largely used up by the Sherman expedition, which
destroyed also such as was en- route. Had the cot
ton remained on the plantations, it would have Is
capped. Thirteen hundred bales were removed ou
in northwestern Mississippi and stored in the vi
!, cnity Of Goodman to await transportation on tn
Central railroad. More than half Of it was imme
eiatsly afterwards fired by incendiariss and de
stroyed. This, too, though guard had been or
dered over it caused ali the cotton to be brourb
out of Pamela county. It no sooner reaehed point
on the railroad than it was all destroyed by III
military. Sig thousand bales were used in Fo,
| Psm5srton. was in the act Of having it rs.bale
tad brought away, when the cavalry dashed in an
i