1864 Trans-Mississippi Manuscript Commissary Document – San Antonio, TX

Description

1864 Trans-Mississippi Manuscript Commissary Document – San Antonio, TX
Offered for your consideration is a manuscript correspondence relating to the receipt and shipment of subsistence stores. It is headlined
“Office Chf Pur Com Agt. 7
th
Dist / San Antonio, March 9
th
1864”
(Office Chief Purchasing Commission Agent 7
th
District) and is addressed to
“Adolf Weiss Esq / Pur Com Agt / Gillespie &c / Fredericksburg”
(Purchasing Commission Agent). It was penned by
“Jacob Waelder / Chf Pur Com Agt / 7
th
Dist of Tex”
and reads, in part,
“… Your communication of 4
th
inst. is this moment received, and I hasten to say, that I started the wagons yesterday with 100 sacks for sacking and directing you to load what corn there is in possession of Mr. Hunter, and as much wheat as they require to fill out their loads …”.
He instructs Weiss
“… that subsistence stores shall be delivered to agents of the Purchasing Bureau by Post Q. Masters of Congressional Districts …”
, followed by a short discussion regarding whether someone is authorized to serve as an agent. He then states that
“… aside from all this,
the trains must not come back empty
… It is with great difficulty that transportation can be obtained … they should not be permitted to return without loads, particularly when it is considered that corn and all kinds of breadstuffs are very much needed by the Commissary of this post …”
. This correspondence illustrates the apparent difficulties that agents were having in procuring and transporting supplies, especially in the western reaches of the Confederacy. These agents were actually lucky, since these were products to be received as payment of taxes (see our other items for related document), no form of re-imbursement, other than a receipt, would be expected by the individual. Many Confederate and state quartermasters were attempting to purchase the same items, but the individuals wanted some form of payment, which most government agents didn’t have at their disposal. This interesting piece is written in period ink of blue paper, with the hand-writing being reasonably legible. This piece would make a great addition to any Trans-Mississippi or Texas related Civil War collection.
As expected, this piece exhibits several period folds and wrinkles from its wartime transmittal. Light toning can be seen across the surface, significantly more pronounced along the noted folds. Scattered foxing spots are mentioned for accuracy, as these do not detract from the overall eye appeal and legibility of the piece. Due to the type of paper used and the acidic nature of the period ink, bleed through and some erosion can be seen when the pages are viewed from the back. This interesting document measures 7⅞ x 10 inches, and will be shipped with a modern transcript for ease of reading.
A .95 charge will be added to the winning bid for postage and insurance.
If you have any questions regarding this item, please ask before purchasing.
Buy or Bid with Confidence – American Coins & Collectibles President Richie Self has worked 6 years as a paper money grader/authenticator. He has contributed to numerous reference books within the industry, as well as being a co-author of “The Comprehensive Catalog and History of Confederate Bonds, 2
nd
Edition” with Douglas B. Ball, Ph.D., Henry F. Simmons, M.D., Ph.D. and James R. Desabaye. Mr. Self is a life member of the American Numismatic Association, the Society of Paper Money Collectors, as well as numerous regional numismatic associations. He is an authorized submitter to NGC, PCGS, and PMG, a diamond founding member of Coin Dealers Helping Coin Dealers and a supporter of the Industry Council for Tangible Assets. American Coins and Collectibles can be found at many of the state and local coin shows.
American Coins and Collectibles
Shreveport, LA