NOT SOLD (BIDDING OVER)
0.00USD+ applicable fees & taxes.
This item WAS NOT SOLD. Auction date was 2002 Jun 25 @ 10:00UTC-08:00 : PST/AKDT
A revealing and quite rare historical piece, a letterpress book bearing the title on the cover "Letters from Qtr. Masters Dept. A. M. Madison McAfee Q.M.G.", approx. 400pp. 4to., Jackson, Miss, June, 1861 - Apr., 1863., loose binding with about 1/3 of pages now missing. Book inlcudes letters of three members of the Mississippi Quartermaster's Department including Madison McAfee, A.W. West and chief Adjutant R.D. Block. A fascinating glimpse into the workings of the fledgling Confederate supply system, the letterpress copies reveal the problems of ever-present supply shortages as well as a lack of cooperation between the state and national governments which was one source of the Confederacy's downfall. The copies are littered with complaints regarding outfitting Mississippi combat units, including lack of money, supplies, corrupt suppliers and profiteering. For example, if the State of Mississippi had a shortage of shoes and another state or the central government had a surplus, the Mississippi troops were made to do without rather than to draw on surpluses from other states. To make matters worse, each state was responsible for the delivery of supplies to its respective troops, resulting in a logistical nightmare. The letterpress copies read, in part: "[Aug. 31, 1861 Keep a keen lookout for Dahlgren's brigade. They are drawing more extra items than any other brigade and must be checked. God only knows what they want with so many wagons, harnesses, mules & etc...[Sept. 5, 1861]...In regard to setting substance for the officers, be governed by the current market rates. I hope you are providing fresh beef and cornmeal...In regard to blankets...we are unable to purchase in the market and we had supposed that the companies, understanding [this] would have supplied themselves at home. As it is you must do the best you can...divide what you have...& trust the Lord Generally...". Profiteering and corruption were present from the onset: "...[Sept. 6]...I hope Maj. Fonte has returned by this time. I am quite certain that his testimony will catch those rascals who want to make money by selling spoilt flour to the army. Intend to make them public both through the papers...and through the court...". The reluctance of neighboring states to share purchasing and supply agents is clearly demonstrated in the following letter of Sept. 13, 1861, in part: "...Gentleman...Col. McAfee is merely agent to the Confederate Sates to issue tickets to recruits & others...not to ship forward clothing or hospital stores on to Virginia. He is acting in the latter capacity for the STATE [Mississippi], the state having appointed an agent in Richmond to take charge of all stores sent to Mississippi troops & etc. Of course in this capacity he can not transport such things for other sates, the charge for transpiration being against the State, and not the Confederate States...". A letter dated Mar. 23, 1862 regarding the utter lack of supplies reads, in part : "...I have written you several times on the subject of tents...I am having tents made as fast as possible, for yourself and others & will go myself to Meridian in a day or two with some one hundred and fifty, and will make you some shipment from that point...". The supply shortage was so critical that the Quartermaster General was compelled to leave his office and personally look to the delivery of a mere 150 tents. As the war progressed, the demands of the department changed somewhat. In a letter dated Apr. 23, 1863, the department notes that they are sending "...blank affidavits to be filled up by the commander of the company to which the deceased belonged...when all these papers are promptly filled out, they should be forwarded to...Richmond...". Boards covered in cloth with extremely worn with large holes revealing the backing boards, binding separated, heavy chipping along page margins and approximately 1/3 pages likely missing, many of the letterpresses are quite light but can be more easily viewed by placing a dark piece of paper behind them. Overall condition is just good. Should be viewed.
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