May 17, 1863, Southern Confederacy (Atlanta, Georgia)
In conformity with a request published some time since, a meeting of the Cotton Spinners of the State was held in Atlanta, Ga., on the 15th of May.
There were present, John White, Georgia Factory; Isaac Powell, High Shoals Factory; Hugh MacLean, Aguadon Mill; Thomas Leslie, Troup Factory; and E. Steadman, Gwinnet Manufacturing Company. On motion, John White was elected Chairman, and E. Steadman, Secretary. After consultation, the meeting agreed upon the following
(Circular)
To the Cotton Spinners of Georgia.
In pursuance of a call made upon the Cotton Spinners of Georgia, to assemble in Convention in the city of Atlanta, for the purpose of taking into consideration the best means of supplying the great destitution in Cotton Yarns, now being felt all over our State, the undersigned duly assembled. After a deliberate examination of all the facts laid before us, to-wit: the great scarcity of Cotton Yarns; the limited means of soldiers’ wives and families; the probably continuance of this unholy war; and the apparent suffering that must continue to accrue to the families of our noble defenders on account of the scarcity of Yarns; and the almost impossibility of procuring cotton Cards, we have determined to act upon the following plan, and earnestly request Cotton Spinners all over the State, heartily to co-operate with us.
We hereby pledge ourselves to furnish to Gen. Ira R. Foster, Quartermaster General of the State of Georgia, one eighth of our production of Cotton Yarns, weekly, at one half the current prices at the time they are furnished.–These Yarns to be issued to the Inferior Courts of each county, and by them to be distributed to the destitute of their counties, as provided for by a resolution of the late Legislature. These Yarns to be delivered by us at the nearest depot of transportation.
This plan cannot fail to commend itself to every patriot of the Empire State. Thousands of our fellow citizens, clad in the armor of war, are on distant fields battling for our rights and cheerfully risking their lives in defense of us, our homes and our altars. Their families are consigned to our care. They are in great need of Yarns with which to weave them necessary clothing. Cotton Cards cannot be procured. Their only hope is in the factories of their State. To them they appeal, and to them they surely will not appeal in vain.
John White,
Georgia Factory.
Isaac Powell,
High Shoals Factory.
Hugh Maclean,
Aguadon Mill.
Thos. Leslie,
Troup Factory.
E. Steadman,
Gwinnett Manufacturing Company.
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Quartermaster Gen’l’s Office, }
Atlanta May 15, 1863. }
The above circular is sent forth with the earnest hope, that every cotton spinner in Georgia will cheerfully and promptly respond to its appeal and act upon its plan.
I know of no act by which proprietors of factories can more surely nerve the arms of our brave soldiers, than by furnishing thread, by which the loved ones at home can be comfortably clad and protected from the rigors of a coming winter. A failure to respond will result in much suffering among the families of those who have sacrificed their all for our defense and our comfort. Let it be remembered that without the aid of factories, thread cannot be obtained, and the destitute poor cannot be clad. Let the families of our soldiers be fed and clothed, and they will more cheerfully and patiently bear the toil and suffering of the camp, and more gallantly meet the assaults of the enemy. Let them be neglected, and dissatisfaction on the part of many, and desertion in some will inevitably follow. How much then depends upon the action of our cotton spinners in this matter!
In behalf of the destitute families of our gallant soldiers we appeal to the cotton spinners of Georgia, we appeal with confidence that they will not disappoint us, but will nobly and patriotically come to our aid in this our time of need.
The yarns so obtained will be furnished gratuitously to the destitute of our State.
Ira R. Foster,
Quartermaster General,
State of Georgia.