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Atlanta June 6th 1863 |
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| Colonel J. F. Gilmer |
| Chief of Engineer Bureau |
| Richmond Va. |
| |
| Colonel, |
| I had an interview with Maj. Genl. Maury
in Mobile on the 29th ult. The Genl. informed me that he should be
obliged to resort to impressment to obtain the labor needed to complete
the defenses of Mobile. He could not therefore give me any encouragement
as to labor for the salt works. My agent in Miss. telegraphs that he has
a prospect of securing one hundred negroes, and I think we may now be
able to make up the required force from refugee Planters who have been
obliged to remove their negroes from the vicinity of the Federal lines. |
| On my way home, I called at Selma and paid
over to the A. & T. R. R. R. Co. Sixty thousand dollars on the contract
for construction of the Road from Blue Mountain northward. I also
visited Rome and conferred with the President of the Geo. & Ala. R. R.
Co. as to the commencement of the work from Rome Southward. That Co.
will probably accept the terms offered by me, and carry forward the work
as far as the appropriation will reach. As prices have advanced nearly
one hundred pr. ct. since the estimate was made, on which the
appropriation was based, a large sum will be needed to complete the
work. As the Ala. & Ten. R. R. R. Co. have decided to go forward with
the preparation of the Roadway, I have advised the Geo. & Ala. R. R. Co.
to pursue the same policy. There is one point which I find it necessary
to refer back to you before closing a contract with that Co. The Presdt.
informs me that a mortgage exists upon the Roadway franchise & property
of the Co. to secure the repayment of Thirty six $36,000 borrowed by the
Co. in the prosecution of the work heretofore done. This was borrowed in
anticipation of instalments to be paid by stockholders. It is thought
that the unpaid instalments which can be ultimately collected, will
fully meet this debt. My estimate of the value of the grading, masonry,
bridging &c. done right of way and outside property of the Co. amounts
to $125,000. Will the Hon. Secy. of War be satisfied with a second
mortgage? I see no risk in doing so. The Bonds will be delivered in sums
corresponding with work done. The security is ample. |
| Heretofore I have expressed to you no
opinion as to the policy of constructing this link of Railroad. It
hardly escaped your observation that strong opposition to it exists with
the stockholders and managers of the line from Atlanta to Montgomery. My
opportunities for forming a correct conclusion have been ample, and I do
not hesitate to say that the completion of this link is of the highest
importance to the Govt. In addition to its importance as a link in a
through line, it will give local facilities to a superior agricultural
belt of country. |
| Please to give me the decision in regard
to the second mortgage. |
| Will you be good enough to impress upon
the Commissary General the importance of furnishing subsistence to the
proposed force at the salt works, through the Post Commissary either at
Mobile or Montgomery. |
| If it is required to keep the amounts
separate let me purchase from the Commissary at cost prices. If I send
out agents to purchase, they come at once into conflict with the agents
of the Commissaries. I cannot purchase bacon at less than 1.15 to 1.25
per lb. and only in small quantities. |
| Your letter of the 28th ult. and the
notification of my appointment to the grade of Lieut. Colonel were
received on my return from Mobile. |
| My acceptance or non acceptance of the
appointment will depend upon the reply which you may be pleased to make
to a private communication which I shall have the honor of addressing at
an early moment. |
| Very Respectfully |
| L. P. Grant |
| Capt. Engrs. P. A. C. S. |