Chapter 39

Commissioners to purchase Arms and Ammunition.--My Letter to Captain Semmes.--Resignations of Officers of United States Navy.--Our Destitution of Accessories for the Supply of Naval Vessels.--Secretary Mallory.--Food-Supplies.--The Commissariat Department.--The Quartermaster's Department.--The Disappearance of Delusions.--The Supply of Powder.--Saltpeter.--Sulphur.--Artificial Niter-Beds.--Services of General G. W. Rains.--Destruction at Harper's Ferry of Machinery.--The Master Armorer.--Machinery secured.--Want of Skillful Employees.-- Difficulties encountered by Every Department of the Executive Branch of the Government.