Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 8.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[323] bacon throughout the Confederacy, even when husbanded with the utmost economy, will be inadequate to the demands of the government. This makes it the duty of every man to economize as much as possible — to sell not a pound to any one else whilst there is any danger of our army suffering, and to pledge at schedule rates his entire surplus — bacon, beef, sugar, and syrup — to the government. I solemnly believe our cause is hopeless, unless our people can be brought to this point.

I have thought it my duty to address this confidential circular to the principal men in various sections of the State, and invoke their aid and cooperation with the purchasing commissaries and government agents in their districts, in inaugurating and putting into operation some system by which our armies can be more promptly supplied, and all of our resources which are necessary secured to the government. The appeals to me are more and more urgent every day; the pressure upon our State is very great. Should she now respond to the call made upon her resources as she has upon the bloodiest battle-fields of the war, the measure of her glory will be full. But if we withhold our supplies, we cripple our army, and render it impossible for them to advance after achieving the most signal victories. The people at home must put themselves upon a war footing. This they have never yet done. They must sow and plant, and gather for the government. Then, and not till then, will the bright rays of peace break through the clouds of war which overhang us.

P. S.--You are specially requested not to allow this circular to go out of your possession, but to read it to such persons as you know to be true and prudent, and to begin the work contemplated immediately.

In conformity with instructions front department headquarters, of December twenty-eighth, 1863, and with the urgent request of Major P. W. White, C. S. for the State of Florida, “the removal across the borders of the State (except for army consumption) of all articles of subsistence which make part of the army ration, without special permit, is hereby prohibited, except in cases manifestly for family use, or under circumstances which relieve the transaction from the possibility of being purchase for speculative purposes.” The permit in the cases mentioned will be applied for of the District Commissaries. No purchases will be allowed in this district, either by commissaries or their agents from other districts, except under an order from Major White, C. S. for the State. Hides and tallow in the hands of speculators, middle-men, or others, will not be allowed to be removed, but will be impressed under orders from the Quartermaster-General.

By order of