| Office Chief Inspector of Field
Transportation |
| Second Dt. |
| Augusta, Ga.,
February 9th 1865 |
| |
| Col. G. W. Brent |
| Chf of Staff |
| |
| Col. |
| Maj. Tilhn has just returned
& reports that the branch road from Washington to Barnett {on
the Georgia RR} is in wretched condition not being able to
carry more than three freight cars with the passenger cars, this is
not only owing wholly to the want of capacity in the Engine, but in a
great measure to the bed of the road. Capt. B?? (another one of my
officers) reports the dirt road from Washington to the river as almost
impassible. I call your attention to this as it will be necessary for
the Engineer Department to start at once to render the road passable. |
| Maj. Tilhn reports that there
are no saw mills in the vicinity at work; there is one that he can get
if he can get a detail from the Georgia Militia. He thinks he can
build the Pontoon before the road can be made practicable, but I
suppose that if the road is to be so long in being put in order, the
Engr Dept will be in time with theirs. |
| I am Col very restly |
| your obty Svt |
| Norman W. Smith |
| Maj. & Chf Inspr |
| L. P. Grant |
| Capt Engr |
|