|
Atlanta Ga.. Jany 13th 1863 |
| |
| To the Superintendents of the Nashville & Chattanooga
and Memphis & Charleston R. Roads and others in authority. |
| The following dispatch was received on the
6th inst. |
| |
| Richmond Jany 5th, 1863 |
| Capt. L. P. Grant |
| You are assigned to the duty of rebuilding
the Watauga & Holston Bridges, East Tennessee {&
Virginia} R. Road. The cost to be paid by the Government. Proceed
to the Bridges at once, call on the R. Roads of Geo.& Tennessee to
furnish you skilled labor bridge builders & others. Time is all
important. Spare no effort. The Secretary of War gives you full power to
do everything that can expedite the work. Press labor and material, and
appeal to the other roads for assistance to the extent of their
abilities. |
| (Signed) J. F. Gilmer |
| Col. & Chief Eng. Dept. |
| |
| In endeavoring to carry out the above
instructions, I find one permanent difficulty. In furthering the work of
rebuilding the bridge on the Nashville & Chattanooga R. Rd, the Central
{(of Georgia)} & S. Western Rail Road
Companies have permitted their cars to be run through without
transshipment with the positive assurance from Mr. Maxwell that the cars
should be promptly returned. Mr. Maxwell has been prevented from
redeeming his pledge to these Companies. Some of the cars of these
Companies are retained and diverted from the route and use for which
they were specially designed. Under this treatment these Companies
positively refuse to furnish cars for the transportation of the
necessary lumber to rebuild the Watauga & Holston Bridges until the
missing cars are returned. The lumber is now in readiness for
transportation on the lines of the Central &Southwestern roads, and can
be obtained no where else without long delay. |
| I hereby invoke the Supts. of the N. & C.
and M. & C. R. Roads and others in authority to aid the bearer, Mr
in returning all platform cars belonging to the Companies before
mentioned. |
| L. P. Grant |
| Capt. Engrs P. A. C. S. |