B4, LEE 1/20/1865

Hd Qrs: Petersburg 20 Jany '65
   
His Excy Jefferson Davis
Pres: C. States -- Richmond
 
Mr. President,
   I am aware that it will take some time to regulate & perfect the Piedmont R. R. & that the whole difficulty cannot at once be overcome by the Governments taking it in charge. Its condition is so important to our military operations as well as to the welfare of the community that I venture to enclose a letter lately recd from Genl Martin. I do not see how a road can be worked advantageously & to its full extent without a regular schedule for running the trains. Under a temporary pressure it might be operated by special instructions by telegraph. I understood that the road was so operated while under charge of the {Richmond &} Danville {RR} Compy, & I presume there is some reason for continuing it, but as soon as a fixed schedule can be established & regular connections made with the roads north & south the better. I would also suggest that a competent Engineer with four or five hundred laborers be sent to ditch drain & repair the road along its whole extent. From the character of the present Supt I trust the road if once put in good order, will be efficiently managed.
I have the honor to be
Your obt servyt
R. E. Lee
Genl

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