J B Chrisman’s Confederate service record has several pages related to crossing the cattle, inability to fatten them on nothing but grass, etc., etc.

8/19/62 Northrop to Broadwell-Alludes to the increase to the army of 15,000 released prisoners & necessity for funds for their subsistence.-Maj Walker tells me that he has detailed Maj Melton to take charge of the cattle crossed over by McKee. Yesterday, I rec’d a note from Capt Chrisman that they were under his charge and would not improve on the range designated for them. - [Broadwell & Dameron-CSA Agents reporting to Richmond]

8/25 Broadwell to Northrop-a cargo of sugar has gone up to Vicksburg. 833 cattle have been run over by White’s agent. - [Broadwell & Dameron-CSA Agents reporting to Richmond]
9/2 Northrop to Broadwell [agent of War Dept]-asking him to consider the preservation of the cattle from St Landry crossed by McKee & Howard some in bad shape as per Capt Chrisman. I want them, or others, driven towards this country. We can’t rely on beef from Ky as now hoped for

9/7 Broadwell says- Gunboat Essex cruising around [Rodney] trying to stop cattle crossing. White’s agent had just crossed 2050 head when she appeared. These cattle are being sent at the insistence of the cdg gen to subsist the left flank of the army of our advancing army-24,000 strong-moving upward-[Broadwell & Dameron-CSA Agents reporting to Richmond]

9/10 Report of Lieutenant-Commander Ransom, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Kineo, regarding the operations o/that vessel in the Mississippi River-U S. GUNBOAT Kineo off New Orleans, La., September 10, 1862- … On the 28th I started up the river, from which moment, I beg leave to state, sir, the Kineo has been active and extremely vigilant. On the passage up, between Bonnet Carre Point (40 miles above New Orleans) and Plaquemine, we destroyed all the ferries at various points, in all 8 flatboats, a number of large skiffs, and 1 sloop of 15 tons. Some we burned and the others were broken to pieces with axes. There were visible evidences of a crossing for cattle at a place 5 miles below Jefferson College, and another just below Donaldsonville; another, apparently of greater importance, 6 miles below Plaquemine. We arrived at Baton Rouge on the morning of the 27th, finding there the Itasca.
…. In the afternoon of the 30th, a few miles above Plaquemine, I seized a flatboat heavily loaded with corn. Taking it in tow, I discovered soon it was in a sinking condition, and I found it difficult to keep it afloat. Fortunately I found the steamboat Iberville 6 miles below Plaquemine, to which I delivered the corn, to be delivered to the quartermaster-general at New Orleans for the use of the army. We anchored here opposite the cattle crossing. By some shrewd enquiries of our pilot, who accompanied an officer on shore, we learned the next morning that at this place, on the west side, resides Mr. Roache, and on the east side Messrs. Dupree and LeBarre, contractors, to supply the Confederate Army with cattle, who, of late have been very successful. We destroyed here a large pen on the west bank, having a lane to the river for the convenience of driving down to the flatboats, and on the opposite side we discovered that the bank had been carefully graded to facilitate the driving up. We found also in this vicinity five flatboats which had escaped our notice the previous day, and a number of large skiffs, all of which we destroyed.
… GEO. M. RANSOM, Lieutenant-Commander. Rear-Admiral D. G. FARRAGUT, Commanding Western Gulf Blockading Squadron

9/16 Broadwell to Northrop-Ruggles took command here last week and I hope to have as pleasant a relationship with him as I did with Van Dorn. He is a good old man, easily influenced and does not like to reject applications. But, he is a stickler for military etiquette and is probably uncomfortable with junior officers acting independently in his district. I have directed Col White’s agents to cross no more cattle until requisitioned [Northrop says better pasturage on that side of river] - [Broadwell & Dameron-CSA Agents reporting to Richmond]

9/18 -Broadwell says-I [am] taking possession of the cattle brought by men with counterfeit CSA money-they are in arrest-[Broadwell & Dameron-CSA Agents reporting to Richmond]

10/13 Northrop to Broadwell-sugar must be used as substitute for bacon-urge importance of getting as much salt as possible-trade with N O is approved-explain plans to Pemberton-he has gone out there-he is a fine officer except for abruptness-get cattle in condition before winter-[Broadwell & Dameron-CSA Agents reporting to Richmond]

11/8 Jackson-Maj Dameron to Capt Shaaf ACS-Deliver 5 sacks of salt to Mr. McKay for use of Gov’t cattle under his care-[Broadwell & Dameron-CSA Agents reporting to Richmond]
11/18 Major W H Dameron-Jackson-to Col Northrop at Richmond-all the beeves [about 1000] bought with counterfeit money have been issued-Maj [Cuney] receipted for the whole [4457 beeves]. Someone should be designated to settle up this business.
This lot, reduced to 4457 head, was ordered on to Virginia by Gen Ruggles & they were turned over to his commissary, Maj R H Cuney.
The army at Holly Springs draws heavily from this lot
3/18/63 Alexandria – R Taylor to Pemberton - Concerns Taylor’s efforts to supply Pemberton with foodstuffs (crops, cattle, and bacon) for Vicksburg

Reports of Lieut. Gen. John Pemberton, C. S. Army, commanding Department of Mississippi and Eastern Louisiana, of operations April 4-July 4- HEADQUARTERS, Gainesville, Ala., August 25, 1863. Immediately on assuming command of the Department of Mississippi and Eastern Louisiana, on October 14, 1862, I gave my earnest and unremitting attention to the reorganization of the several staff departments and to the great question of supplies.

On January 14, I addressed the following letter to Lieutenant-Colonel Broadwell, agent of the Commissary-General and also for my department, under my immediate instructions: Purchase bacon for this department; if possible, buy several million pounds. Also send, if you can, a few thousand live hogs to Port Hudson and Vicksburg. If the present navigation should be interrupted, try to get the hogs across the river, so that they can be driven to the interior of the State and rendered available for the use of the troops. If nothing better can be done, you will contract with energetic men to get from Texas 200 or 300 wagons loaded with bacon, the meat to be paid for by the chief of subsistence of this department, the transportation settled by the quartermaster, and the wagons and teams taken at fair valuation by the Government. You had better attend to salt first, to bacon next, and to sugar afterward. You are properly accredited to commanding generals elsewhere, who are requested to assist you in accomplishing my wishes as herein indicated. I was extremely desirous at this time to procure a sufficient supply of salt to enable me to cure bacon, and with that purpose an order was issued prohibiting the exportation of hogs from the department. The difficulty of obtaining salt in sufficient quantity at the proper season prevented the success of this plan to any great extent. Though extremely anxious at this time to purchase all the meat possible, I did not think it advisable to make large purchases of corn from the Trans- Mississippi for Vicksburg and Port Hudson, and Lieutenant-Colonel Broadwell was so notified.

Early in February 1863 also, the enemy succeeded in passing two of his gunboats by our batteries at Vicksburg. This at once rendered the navigation of the Mississippi and Red Rivers dangerous, and from that time forth it was only by watching opportunities and at great risk of capture that supplies could be thrown into Port Hudson and Vicksburg; nevertheless large amounts were successfully introduced into both places (into the latter via Big Black). Port Hudson, however, received much the larger portion, being easier of access.
On February 28 and on March 2, 1863 instructions were again sent to Lieutenant-Colonel Broadwell to purchase all the meat possible at the price suggested by him, and [he was] notified also that beef could then be crossed safely, and to send forward all he could control.
About the same time Major-General Taylor, commanding West Louisiana, was respectfully urged to have all the beeves, bacon, and salted pork possible forwarded, and it gives me much pleasure to add that I am greatly indebted to his active exertions, as well as to Lieutenant- Colonel Broadwell, for large supplies of corn and meat.

JACKSON, Miss., March 19, 1863. Hon. JAMES A. SEDDON, Secretary of War: I propose to endeavor to subsist my army as hitherto have agents with large amount of funds to make purchases of corn, beef, and bacon west of Mississippi River, and also collecting some supplies ii this State. The instructions of Commissary-General to Major Johnston to withdraw his agents from west of the Mississippi River, and to make all purchases through Lieutenant-Colonel Broadwell, would upset all my arrangements, and is, besides, impracticable. Colonel Broadwell has not been within this department for about six weeks. I am glad to receive assistance from him, but chief of subsistence of this department must, of course, be under my control. Have released, pursuant to your order, all sugar except six weeks supply for this department. Navigation of Mississippi River again cut off; neither subsistence nor ordnance can come or go. I hope you will not attribute my acts or requests to any motives but good of the service. I have none other. J. C. PEMBERTON, Lieutenant- General, Commanding.

On March 23, the following letter was received from Lt-Colonel Broadwell: ALEXANDRIA, LA., March 17, 1863. GENERAL: Four steamboats arrived here to-day from Shreveport and Jefferson, loaded chiefly with corn. One of them had 300,000 pounds of bacon; three others (the Charm, Texas, and Frolic) are reported coming down with loads. Five others (the Falls City, Louisville, Starlight, General Hodges, and Nina Sims) are below here, with full cargoes designed for Port Hudson, but the Federal gunboats are reported blockading this river. Great God, how unfortunate! We must try to get cattle to Bowman’s landing, 15 miles back of Waterproof, and, if possible, swim them at the latter point; but the cattle here are thin, and may be unfit for beef when they arrive on the other side. In fact, it is doubtful whether many of them ever get through the swamps and bayous through which they are required to pass on this side. As the water declines, I think it likely that cattle in large quantities can be crossed over by swimming, but at present the prospect of your getting supplies from this side is gloomy enough. With the hope, general, that the suspension of steamboat navigation will embarrass you less than is now apprehended, Very respectfully, & c., W. A. BROADWELL.

On the day of its receipt, the above letter was referred to Maj. Theodore Johnston, chief of subsistence, for his information, and was returned with the following endorsement: Office CHIEF OF Subsistence, DEPARTMENT OF Miss. AND E. LA., Jackson, March 24, 1863. Respectfully returned- The following boats have arrived out of Red River and have discharged their cargoes at Port Hudson: Frolic, corn to assistant quarter- master; Louis d Or, corn to assistant quartermaster; Trent, corn to acting commissary of subsistence; Drover, corn to acting commissary of subsistence; Red Chief, corn to acting commissary of subsistence; Starlight, corn to acting commissary of subsistence; Indian No. 2, corn to acting commissary of subsistence; T. D. Hine, bacon, hogs, and beef, to acting commissary of subsistence. The steamer General Hodges, spoken of, discharged her cargo at Alexandria. The Louisville had 20,000 bushels of corn. The Falls City turned over all her cargo, except 350 barrels of molasses, to steamer T. D. Hine. Lieutenant [George] Cammack left Alexandria on 16th instant, one day later than the communication from Colonel Broadwell. THEO. JOHNSTON, Major and Chief of Subsistence

VICKSBURG, April 1, 1863. Maj. W. H. DAMERON, Commissary of Subsistence, Jackson, Miss.: MAJOR: Yours of 29th ultimo, inclosing copy of the Commissary General’s letter to you, of 14th ultimo, is at hand. I assumed charge as chief of subsistence of the district on the 10th of February… Since that time I have received from you $50,000, which has been invested chiefly in corn. I have received about 30,000 pounds of bacon, 500 live hogs. 557 barrels of molasses, and large quantities of salt, all of which has been sent over by Colonel Broadwell; there are several hundred hogs now on the way here on this side of the river, and several boats in the river loaded with provisions, also sent forward by Colonel Broadwell. This supply will place the commissariat in better condition, I believe, than it has ever before been in this district. If the Yankee ships can be prevented from cutting off our communication with Eastern Louisiana and Texas, I have but little doubt that the great energy of Colonel Broadwell, with my own exertions here, will soon give us a supply that will enable us to stand a six months siege. Respectfully, GEO L. GILLESPIE, Major and Commissary of Subsistence, Second District

OFFICE OF COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF SUBSISTENCE, July 31, 1863. The Army of Tennessee has been very largely subsisted from the Georgia resources, under arrangements made with General Johnston last spring. Those stores, which have been looked to for supplying the troops of the east, have become fearfully depleted, as has been shown to the Secretary of War heretofore and recently. The resources avail- able for the Army of Mississippi are at this time more promising than those open to the armies of Virginia and Tennessee. Prior to the fall of Vicksburg, and subsequent to the abandonment of the stores at Jackson, a statement of which is herewith sent for the Secretary’s information, there was confidence of a plentiful supply. There ought to be a large quantity of cattle in Mississippi. Orders for the introduction of Texas cattle have been constant, and, although interrupted, large numbers have come over. The oxen of the ruined places and the country cattle have not all been destroyed, and can be made available. No bacon can be spared. The necessities here are paramount. In addition to this application of Asst. Adjt. Gen. Banks to the Secretary of War for 250,000 pounds, Capt. J. T. Shaaf asks the Commissary-General for 500,000 pounds; both telegrams dated from the same place; the first dated 28th instant and the second the 30th instant. Respectfully, L. B. NORTHROP, Commissary- General of Subsistence.

VICKSBURG, Miss., July 18, 1863-12 m. Maj. Gen. HALLECK, General-in-Chief: Joe Johnston evacuated Jackson the night of the 16th. He is now in full retreat east. Sherman says most of his army must perish from heat, lack of water, and general discouragement. The army paroled here have, to a great extent, deserted, and are scattered over the country in every direction. Learning that Yazoo City was being fortified, I sent General Herron there. Five guns were captured, many stores, and about 300 prisoners. General Ransom was sent to Natchez to stop the crossing of cattle for the eastern army. On arrival he found large numbers had been driven out of the city to be pastured; also that munitions of war had recently been crossed over to wait for Kirby Smith. He mounted about 200 of his men and sent them in both directions. They captured numbers of prisoners and 5,000 head of Texas cattle, 2,000 head of which were sent to General Banks; balance have been and will be brought here…

-Official Records
-NARA RG 109
-Fold3