On the 5th December, the Commissary General brought the condition of things to the attention of the Secretary of War, coupling it with a statement of subsistence on hand, which showed nine days rations on hand for Gen. Lee's army; and, quoting a letter from the commander, that day received, stating that his men were deserting on account of short rations, he urged prompt action. But none was taken. On the 14th December, nine days afterwards, Gen. Lee telegraphed President Davis that his army was without meat. This disaster was averted for the time by the timely arrival of several vessel loads of supplies at Wilmington. In a secret session of the Confederate Congress in Richmond, the condition of the Confederacy, with respect to subsistence was thus enumerated:
First.--That there was not meat enough in the Southern Confederacy, for the armies it had in the field. Second.--That there was not in Virginia either meat or bread enough for the armies within her limits. Third.--That the bread supply from other places depended absolutely upon the keeping open the railroad connections of the South. Fourth.--That the meat must be obtained from abroad through a seaport, and by a different system from that which prevailed. Fifth.--That the bread could not be had by impressment, but must be paid for in market rates. Sixth.--That the payment must be made in cash, which, so far, had not been furnished, and from present indications could not be, and, if possible, in a better medium than at present circulating.
