Charles F. M. Garnett to Howell Cobb.
Lynchburg, Va., Dec. 28th, 1860.
Dear Sir: I have thought much of the subject of defence in view of the present position of the South. Everybody knows the importance of artillery in modern warfare. Unfortunately the Southern States are entirely unprovided. Now I think Virginia can supply cannon, shot and shell, perhaps to the full extent of our wants.
F. B. Deane Jr. of this place has, in time past, furnished large numbers of shot and shell to the U. S. Government.
He is now prepared to furnish 1,000 per day. These could be conveyed by rail road to any point in Georgia. I think also through him and another establishment, arrangements could be made to furnish a large number of cannon.
My leading idea for coast defence is in cannon of long range, mounted on carriages of broad wheels, which could be easily moved from point to point.
If you write to me on this subject, my P. O. is “Junction, Hanover County Va.”
From Annual Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1911.
Charles Fenton Mercer Garnett, born October 7, 1810, was a prominent railroad civil engineer and would play a prominent role managing and distributing iron for the railroads in the confederacy.
Howell Cobb was an American political figure. A southern Democrat, Cobb was a five-term member of the United States House of Representatives and Speaker of the House from 1849 to 1851. He also served as the 40th Governor of Georgia and as a Secretary of the Treasury under President James Buchanan. Cobb is, however, probably best known as one of the founders of the Confederacy, having served as the President of the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States.