{am . Duke University Libraries Report of Commi Conf Pam #283 DTTDES7flD/ REPORT OF COMMITTEE QUARTERMASTER AND COMMSSARY DEPARTMENTS, ON CASE OF MAJOR FRANK G. RUFFIN. The committee on the quartermaster and commissary depart- ments and military transportation, to whom was referred the reso- lution of this House, instructing them "to make special inquiry and report as to any connection, official or otherwise, that ^lajor Frank G, Ruffin, of the commissary department, may have had with the making, or with the benefits" of a contract entered into be- tween the Confederate Spates and Messrs. Haxall, Crenshaw & Co., for supplies of flour ; have had the same under consideration, and have instructed me to report : That after a full and searching inves- tigation, and an examination of all the witnessess who were sup- posed to be best acquainted with the facts, and after soliciting evi- dence by giving notice of the time and place of the sessions of the committee to all parties concerned, (copies of which correspondence, together with a memorandum of the proof, are herewith submitted,) the committe arrived at the conclusion that Major Frank G. Ruffin had no connection, either official or otherwise, with the making of said contract, and no interest whatever in the benefits or profits thereof. On the contrary, the proof conclusively shows that he knew nothing of the fact that any such contract was in contemplation until after it was consummated, being absent on furlough, by reason of sickness, when it Avas made. All of which is respectfully submitted. W. P. CHILTON, Chairman, ^c. ^ RESOLUTION. Resolved, That the committee' on quartermaster and commissary de- partments, to whom has been referred the subject of the flour con- tract of Messrs. Haxall, Crenshaw & Co., be instructed to make spe- cial inquiry and report as to any connection, oflGicial or otherwise, that Major Frank G. Ruffin, of the commissary department, may have had with the making or with the benefits of Miat contract ; and that said committee have full power to investigate all matters appertaining to said contract. JOHN B. BALDWIN, Eleventh Virginia District. ^X33 LETTER FROM MAJOR FRANK G. RUFFIN. Confederate States or America, ^ Subsistence Department, > January 16, 1863. ) Sir: On Tuesday last, in the House of Representatives, Mr. H. S. Foote took occasion to make very distinct charges against me as arn^ officer and a gentleman. I learned by the papers of yesterday that an investigation of that matter had been referred to the committee of vrhich I learn you are chairman, and I write to you this morning to announce myself read^ for instant trial. I ask for it on two grounds: Ist, your duty to ridi this bureau of my presence if I be corrupt ; 2d, the justice which- I am very sure you will accord me at once, if I have been outraged- by Mr. Foote. I shall be glad to hear from you at your earliest convenience. A. letter will reach me at the office of the commissary general. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, FRANK G. RUFFIN, Major and Cotnmissary Subsistence. COPY OF LETTER SENT L. B. NORTHROP. House of Represhktatives, ^ * Confederate States of America, > January^6th, 1863. ) Col. L, B, Northrop, Commissary General Confederate States: Sir: The House of Representatives, on the 14th instant, passed a resolution, of which the following is a copy: *' Resolved, That the committee heretofore appointed to inquire into the action of the commissaries and quartermasters, in reference to their transactions, inquire into and report fully as to the contract recently entered into between the commissary general and Haxall, Crenshaw & Co., in reference to supplies of flour." As chairman of the committee to whom said resolution was referred, and as preliminary to the investigation thereby required, I have to ask that you furnish, at your earliest convenience, copies of all contracts entered into on behalf of the Confederate States, with Messrs. Ilaxall, Crenshaw & Co., for supplies of flour, as well as of any change or modification thereof, if any has been made, that said copy or copies may be laid before said committee. I have the honor to be, Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, W. P. CHILTON, - Chairman Committee on Quartermaster and Commissary Departments, ^c. LETTER OF MAJOR F. G. RUFFIN, AND REPLY. Bureau of Subsistence, ) Richmond, 1 1-4 P.M. S Hon. W. P. Chilton, Member of Congress : Sir : Your note is received this moment. If you will let me know where your room on Main street is — your present reference to it, being indefinite — myself and the gentlemen mentioned in your note will attend with pleasure. I must beg that you notify, or summons, Mr. Foote also to attend, as his presence is important. My messeng^ will await your answer at the door of the House of Representative? Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, FRANK G. RUFFIN, Major and Commissary Subsistence. House of Representatives, ) January 28, 1863. } Major F. G. Ruffin : Sir : The room is that occupied by the* doorkeeper of the House on Main street, north side, a few doors above tenth street, over Taylor's music store. Hon. Mr. Foote will be notified of the meeting. Respectfully yours, W. P. CHILTON, Chairman. COPY SERVED ON HON. H. S. FOOTE BY JUDGE CHILTON. House of Representatives, ) January 28, 1863. ) Hon. H. S. Foote, Member of Congress : Sir : The committee on the quartermaster and commissary depart- ments and military transportation, will hold a meeting of the commit- tee this evening at 7 1-2 o'clock, at its room over Taylor's music store, on north side Main street, a few doors above tenth street, at which time and place the committee will take up for consideration the resolution offered by Hon. Mr. Baldwin, in reference to th> connection which Major Frank G. RufTiu may have with the contract made for flour with Messrs. Ilaxall, Crenshaw & Co., by the commissary depart- ment. The committee would be pleased to have you present, or receive any suggestions in writing which may occur to you in refer-- ence to the inquiry before the committee. I have the honor to be, ' Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, . W. P. CHILTON, Chairman, . LETTER FROM HON. H. S. FOOTE. House of Representatives, ) January 28, 1863. ] Hon. W. P. Chilton, Chair turn, ^~c : Sir : I have received your polite note inviting me to be present, (if I choose to come) at the session of your committee of this evening. I am afraid I can hardly be present, as I have other pressing engage- ments, with which in all probability I shall not be able to dispense. I do not regard my presence as at all necessary to the success of the con- templated investigation, having the fullest confidence in the zeal and diligence of the committee, and having no personal solicitude about the officer, except such as I conceive every patriotic and public spirited man must feel touching alleged frauds on the government, in relation to which I can Enow nothing personally, and have no means of form- ing any opinion, save such statements as I have received from sources of apparent respectability. I need not say to you, who heard all that I have said on this painful subject in the House, that I have not in terms, charged Mr. Ruffin with fraudulent complicity in the contract for flour with Messrs. Haxall, Crenshaw & Co. I alleged that certain statements in regard to this contract in the newspapers of Richmond had attracted my attention ; that these statements had been greatly strengthened by the affirmations of respectable gentlemen in Rich- mond, professing to have personal knowledge of particulars, which induced me to believe that the necessity had arisen for an immediate and scrutinizing inquiry, with a view to the ascertainment of truth, and the punishment of all culprits, whose guilt might be established by satisfactory evidence. As to Mr. Ruffin, I did not pretend to say more than that I could not but believe, from the information which had reached me, that he either had some interest in this famous con- tract, or that he had some hand in the negotiation of it ; that I hoped that the contrary was the case, and that he would be able to establish his innocence ; but that I felt bound to insist that the whole affair should be closely looked into, in order both to secure the punishment of the guilty and the vindication of those wrongly accused. That Mr. Ruffin may be able to show himself to have been unjustly suspected, is still my earnest -wish. Having thus explained my own position in regard to this grave and interesting proceeding, I take the liberty of proffering the interrogatories transmitted as being such as occur to me as proper to be propounded by the committee to-night. I have the honor to be. Your obedient servant, H. S. FOOTE. "With deference, I would suggest that in the inquiry touching Mr. Ruffin, the committee should put him, Mr. Crenshaw, an officer in department, and the commissary general, aslo the members of the firm of Haxall, Crenshaw & Co. on oath, for the purpose of ascertaining : 1. Was he interested in the flour contract? 2. Did he recommend the making of the contract to the commissary general ? 3. Did he, at the instance of the firm of Ilaxall, Crenshaw k Co., or of any member of said firm, counsel the commissary general to make said contract ? 4. Who are the members of said firm ? 5. Is Mr. Ruffin connected with the Crenshaw's, or either of them, in business of any kind, or in contracs with the government, or has he been recently thus connected ? 6. Which of the Crenshaw's is now in the commissary department ? 7. Which of them has been sent to Europe by the department, and for what purposes ? 8. lias not Mr. Ruffin officially approved said flour contract, and has he not, in conversation, repeatedly defended and justified it? LETTER TO MR. FOOTE. January -16, 1863. Hon. Mr. Foote : Sir : Anticipating much good to the common cause from 'your com- mittee of investigation, which is loudly^ called for by the public interest, allow me to throw out a few hints and suggestions: 1st. That inquiry be made in regard to the quality of the flour fur- nished for the army, under the late contract made by the Commissary Department, as well as the compensation for grinding, and whether any of it has ever been branded superfine by the principal flour inspector after having been coiidemned ;is unmerchantable by his deputy, who is, by those engaged in the trade, considered a much better judge than the principal inspector- also, whether said deputy is now permitted to inspect any flour intended for the army under that contract. 2d. It may be well, also, to inquire into the unique contract made with the same parties in 1861 ; whether the price agreed upon with them was not higher than the other city millers were to receive (under any circumstances), with the understanding that they were to liave an additional price if wheat advanced, giving them an opportunity of greatly increasing their profits by raising the price of wheat after 8 they had scciard a large supply. Also, who made that contract, and whether the individual who made it, or who took an active part in making i ", did not usurp the right or duty of another officer of the department (perhaps Major John H. Claiborne, a first rate officef , but it is said one of the C. family who ranks as Colonel has lately gotten into the Commissary Department, and is, of course, placed above him). 3d. The purchase of horses and mules is said to have been exceed- ingly profitable in this vicinity, 4th. It may be well, also, to inquire how corn is delivered fro77i the Quartermaster's Department — whether all the bags contain as much as two bushels, and whether any are delivered as less than two bushels, although weighed when received ; also, how many men are employed in these departments to do what one is capable of performing. And after reading this it may destroyed, the only desire of the writer being to aid you in serving the country. Q. LETTER OF MAJOR F. G. RUFFIN. Committee Room, January 30, 1863. Hon. W. P. Chilton, M. C, Chairman of Cotnmittce : Sir: In the letter addressed you by Hon. Mr. Foote, under date January 28, in which he declines to attend the sittings of your com- mittee whilst engaged in the investigation of his public charges against me, he says that he had received on that subject, " statements from sources of apparent respectability." He further says that the newspaper " statements," in regard to the matter " had been greatly strengthened by the affirmations of respectable gentlemen in Rich- mond, professing to have personal knowledge of particulars." I would most respectfully suggest to yourself and your colleagues, that I am anxious that Mr. Foote be requested to point out distinctly to yourselves " the sources of apparent respectability," and name the respectable gentlemen, and that they be summoned before your com- mittee for examination in my case. I would say that I have not the slightest wish to give your com- mittee unnecessary trouble, but that it may be alleged hereafter that all the testimony of which notice had been thus given you in general 'terras, has not been summoned to the case. Very respectfully. Your obedient servant, FRANK. G, RUFFIN, Major and C. S. ■ 9 LETTER OF W. P. CHILTON, CHAIRMAN. Committee Room, January 2, 1863. Major F. G. Ruffin, Sir : Yours of the SOtli ult., was duly received, and was laid before the committee. I am instructed to. say, in reply, that the committee feel satisfied that they have used all proper diligence in arriving at all the proof which could be adduced in the matter of their investiga- tion ; and as they have closed it and prepared a report, they are in- disposed to open it, without some assurance that further proof could be made. I have the honor to be, sir, Very truly, your obedient servant, W. P. CHILTON, Chairmav, ^'c. Dr. Beale, deposed : Question by chairman — Are you acquainted with Major Frank G. RuflSn, and if so, how long have you known him ? Answer by witness — I have known him for the last ten or twelve years, and have been his family physician for some time past. Question by chairman — Were you his family physician during the year 1862? If you were, state whether he consulted you in regard to his health during that year, and when ; and what advice you gave him, and what he did consequent thereupon. Answer by same — I think Major Ruffin was sick about the first of May, 1862, and v. as confined to the house about the 3d of June. He remained sick in bed until the third (3rd) of July. lie had been com- plaining for a month prev'ous, occasionally. I at length became sat- isfied that he was mentally overworked. I advised him to leave his office, and retire to his farm, for his mind was needing rest as well as his body. After his first attack, which was one of acute gout, I was satisfied that he wanted exercise and rest from his physical duties. Several weeks afterwards I told Major Ruffin that he must go to the Alleghany Springs. This was a matter then of life and death. He left the city and remained out of it until about the middle of September. He was sick about five months. He was absent from the city from the first August until the latter part of September, 1862. Question by Major Ruffin — State, if you please, whether you did not give me advice to abstain from my business pursuits for some time ? • ^ Answer by Dr. Beale — I did advise you to leave your office, and obtain rest for your mind as well as 3'our body. Col. L. B. Northrop, deposed : Question by chairman — You are acquainted with Major Frank G. Ruffin. Does he occupy a position in the commissary department ? Answer by witness — He does. Question by same — Was he many way connected, or directly or in- directly interested, in the flour contract of Messrs. Haxall, Crenshaw & Co. ? Answer by witness — Not in the slightest. Question by same — Do you know where Major Ruffin was between the first of August and riie middle of last September, 1862 ? Answer by witness — For some*time in May he was sick and absent several tim> s from the office. For a while he was confined to his bed. I visited him several times, frequently. I was not allowed to see him by order of his physician. I did not consult with him on any busi- ness, and I never had the slightest idea of speaking to him of the con- tract. Indeed I refrained from talking to him, for I was apprehensive that I should never have his services again, and I could not spare him. 12"' While he was absent from the city I got some letters from him, and and wrote to him, but never mentioned the contract. Question by chairman — Do you know of any business connection between Major Ruffin and Messrs. Haxall, Crenshaw & Co. ? Answer by witness — I do not. I have never heard it alleged until recently. Question by same — Is ]Major Ruffin connected with the Crenshaw's, or either of them, in business of any kind, or in contracts with the government, or has he been recently thus connected ? Answer by witness — Personally, I know nothing of any such connec- tions or contracts. Question by same — Which of the Crenshaw's is in the commissary department ? Answer by witness — James R. Crenshaw. Question by chairman — What relation does Major Ruffin bear to the firm of Messrs. Haxall, Crenshaw & Co. ? Answer by witness — None, except that he is a very intimate friend of Lewis D. Crenshaw. Question by same — Which of the Messrs. Crenshaw have been sent to Europe by the department ? Answer by witness — I do not know of any one being sent on busi- ness of this department. Question by same — Has not Major Ruffin officially approved said flour contract, and has he not, in conversation, repeatedly defended and justified it ? Answer by witness — Unquestionably he has. Every one who ever heard the proper terms of the contract will approve and justify it. Question by same — lias be officially approved it ? Answer by witness — As an officer in my department, I may say that he has. Question by same — I ask whether he, as an officer, had anything to do with the making of the contract ? Answer by witness — lie did not; he knew nothing about it. Question by same — Is there any connection, by blood or marriage, between Major Ruffin and any member of the firm of Haxall, Cren- shaw & Co. ? Answer by witness — None that I know of. Question by Mr. Clarke — Who of the brothers Crenshaw have gone to Europe ? Answer by same — Mr. William Crenshaw has gone to Europe, under instructions, as I understand, from the Navy Department. Question by Mr. Ruffin — Will you state, Col. Northrop, if you please, what were the circurastance^f our first interview ? Answer — I arrived here about the last of May, 1861, and was stop- ping at the Spottswood Hotel. I had then gotten no rooms in which to do the business of my department. One night a gentleman was announced as Captain Ruffin, I had never heard of him before. We had some conversation, and I found that he was connected with the Commissariat of Virginia. He proposed to resign. I told him that I desired to keep in position those officers who were acquainted with ^13 the business of the Commissary Department, and that it was impor- tant to have them, and that I did not desire him to leave. Since then our relations have become closer and closer. I do not know a gentleman of more strict integrity ; he is active in the dis- charge of his duties. I have the highest confidence in him, and cherish towards him feelings of the deepest gratitude for service rendered. I believe him one of the best patriots in the Confederacy, and one of the truest men I know of. Question bj Major Ruffin — Will you state further whether, during the period I Avas at the Springs, I addressed jou a letter on the question of resigning my position ? Answer by witness — He did, and I insisted that he should not do so. I wanted him again. I required an active and upright man such as he was, and I could not do without him. When he was sent away the doctor said he wanted a furlough, and proposed a month I said two months ; and when he was away I wrote to him not to come back until he was ready to do so. Question by Mr. Royston — What position does Mr. Ruffin hold in the Commissary Department, and what duties does he perform ? Answer by witness — lie attends to the buying of cattle, and pur- chases the supply of beef for the army about Richmond; but he attends to anything else which his high local knowledge fits him for. 1 al- ways find him ready, night or day, to attend to the call of duty. Question by Mr. Chilton — Does his official position require him to have anything to do with approving any contract ? ^ Answer by witness — It does not. I am responsible for everything. James R. Crenshaw, deposed; Question by chairman — Was Major Ruffin interested in the flour, contract with Ilaxall, Crenshaw k Co. ? Answer by witness — Not at all that I know of; if he, had been I should have known it. , Question by same — Did he recommend the making of the contract to the Commissary General? Answer by witness — I do not believe Major Ruffin knew that the bureau had any such thing in contemplation. I went to see him very often when he was sick. I saw him oftener than anybody else. He had a conversation with mc about resigning, and I advised him not to do so. Question by the same — Did he at the instance of the firm of Haxall, Crenshaw & Co., or any member of said firm, counsel the Commissary General to make said contract ? Answer by witness — He did not know anything of it. Question by same — Who are the members of said firm ? Answer by witness — R. B. Haxall, L. D. Crenshaw, George D. Fisher and T. B. Grundy. Question by same — Is Mr. Ruffin connected with the Crenshaw's or either of them, in business of any kind, or in their contracts with the Government, or has he been recently thus connected ? Answer by witness^-Previous to the war Mr. Ruffin was editor of the " Southern Tlanter," an agricultural journal of the city of Rich- 14 ^ mond, and. for several years was secretary of the State Agricultural Society, whicli he resigned some little time before the war. Ho was before the war, engaged in the manipulation of guano, with Wm. G. Crenshaw and L. I). Crenshaw, That is the only business connection he has ever had with them. Question by same — Which of the Crenshaw's is in the Commissary Department ? Answer by witness — i\Iyself. Question by same — Which of the Crenshaw's has been sent to Europe, and for what purpose ? Answer by witness — Wm. G. Crenshaw was sent to Europe by the Navy Department, and when it was found out that he was going, he also received some commissions from the War Department. He was not sent by the Commissary Department. Question by same — Has not Mr. Huffin officially approved said flour contract^ and has he not, in conversation, repeatedly defended and justified it ? Answer by witness — He has not, I think officially approved it. He has both defended and justified it. I know he approves of the pro- priety of the contract thoroughly. I think he believes it was a very good thing for the bureau. Major F. G. Ruffin, deposed : Question by chairman — Are you interested in any way in the flour contract made with Haxall, Crenshaw & Co. ? AnsA\»r by witness — None whatever. Question by same — Did you recommend the making of the contract to the Commissary General ? Answer by witness — I did not. Had I been here I should have done so, for I heartily approve it. Question by same — Did you at the instance of the firm of Haxall, Crenshaw & Co., or any member of said firm, counsel with the Com- missary General to make said contract ? Answer by witness — I had not any idea of what was going gn — the condition of my health was such that I doubted if I would ever be able again to attend to my duties. I knew nothing of that contract at the time it was made, and had I known it I would not have inter- fered in their business. Question by the same — Are you connected with the Crenshaw's or either of them, in business of any kind,' or in contracts with the Government, or have you been recently thus interested. Answer by witness — In no way whatever. Several years ago I was connected with the Crenshaw's in the manufacture of manipulated . guano, but that concern is broken up. Question by same — Which of the Crenshaw's is in the Commissary Department ? Ansvfer by witness — James R. Crenshaw, Question by same — Have you not officially approved said flour con- tract, and have you not, in conversation, repeatedly defended and justified it ? • . Answer by witness — Officially, I could not have approved it. It 15 was not my official duty to do so. Personally 1 have approved it. I have sought opportunities for that purpose. Lewis D. Crenshaw : Are you a member of the firm of Haxall, Crenshaw Co. ? Answer — I am. Who compose that firm ? Answer — R. B. Haxall, Geo. D. Fisher, T. B. Grundy and myself. Please state if Major Frank G. lluffin has any interest in said firm of Haxall, Crenshaw & Co., of any sort, or ever had ? Answer — He has not, either directly or indircctl}^ and never has had. In the contract made for supplying the Government with flour by the firm of Haxiill, Crenshaw & Co., did Major Ruffin have anything to do. either as counseling]; with said firm or otherwise ? Answer — He did not. He was absent at its inception, and con- tinued absent during the period of negotiation of said contract until after its consummation. There was no exchange of words between any member of said firm and Major Ruffin, either orally or in writing. The matter of the contract was mainly negotiate