To RC Schenck From RH Milroy Jan 31 1865

              Headquarters Def. N. & C. R.R. 
 
                        Tullahoma Tenn 
 
                                Jan. 31st 1865 
 
 
Hon. R.C. Schenck 
 
        Chairman Military Committee 
 
                        House Representatives 
 
                                Washington City 
 
                                         D. C. 
 
 
Dear Sir. 
 
 
 
              Enclosed I respectfully forward a 
copy of a letter rec’d from Sergt. Griffith 
of the 5th Tenn. Cav. one of the Regts. of my scattered 
Comd..  I send this as the best specimen among 
the many applications I am almost daily 
receiving from soldiers both white & black 
having (stricken: dependent ) families dependent alone 
for support on their scanty pay.  Under 
existing orders in this  Department  no 
rations or other relief can be furnished by 
 the government authorities to any except soldiers or govt. employees.  I have daily applic- 
ations by wives, widows & (stricken: the) children of soldiers 
in the utmost destitution & can only through