November 10, 1863 (Monday): Cut Off From Five Million Pounds of Pork

Railroad Bridge at Weldon (historicweldonnc.com)

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, NORTH CAROLINA,
Raleigh, November 10, 1863.
Honorable JAMES A. SEDDON,
Richmond, Va.:
    DEAR SIR: Lest it may not be known to you, I desire to say that the position in which the enemy have established themselves at Winton, on the Chowan River, in this State, will effectually cut us off from four or five million pounds of pork, which we expected toget from the counties east of that stream. It would be a terrible loss to the army and the State. If possible for General Pickett to drive them off and prevent their fortifying (which I learn they are doing), it ought by all means to be done. It will be positively ruinous for our troops to stand at Weldon and surrender all the rich country below. I beg your attention to this matter.
      Very respectfully, your obedient servant,


      Z. B. VANCE.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 29, Part 2, Page 831.

The role of North Carolina in supplying Lee's Army is not sufficiently documented by historians, but self-evident in this letter.  The foothold gained by Union armies in eastern North Carolina enabled them to threaten key railroads running to Petersburg.  Weldon was a critical point for the Confederacy and each time Union troops established themselves in the area it was a blow to Confederate supply lines.  The amount of supplies needed for the army were enormous.  Suffice it to say, 5 million pounds was not even one of the largest reserves.