FHS, FL 3/30/1863

Executive Department
Tallahassee March 30th 1863
 
Hon. R. B. Hilton
 
Dear Sir,
   Were it possible, consistently with the duty of defending more important positions for Genl Beauregard to devote any portion of his personal services to the defence of Florida, there is no officer would command more of the confidence of the citizens. But his attention is necessarily and very properly engaged in the defences of S. Carolina and Georgia. Since assigned to the command he has never had the opportunity to visit and inspect any portion of this State. The main points of defence in Florida, are very distant from Charleston and Savannah, without rail road connections, or reliable facilities for correspondence by mail or telegraph.
   I urged upon the President and Secretary of War by letter and special agents two years ago, the importance of extending the Georgia & Pensacola Railroad {Pensacola & Georgia RR} to Chattahoochee or connecting the road with the Savannah{, Albany}  & Gulf R Road.
   Nothing has been done on the subject. There are no facilities for transporting troops and munitions of war from other States to Florida, our strong men are serving in the armies of Virginia & Tennessee, and the women children and property of the State dependent for defence against threats of dishonor and destruction upon the commands of Gens Cobb and Flanigan (about 2500 men) scattered a distance of nearly three hundred miles, the two military districts having no official intercourse except through Genl Beauregard, their joint head, at Charleston.
   The two generals unofficially call directly upon each other and will no doubt render material assistance, when able, but neither is informed of the necessities of the other, and there is none here to judge and determine how to make the limited number of troops in the State, most available for its defence. There could be none better than Genl Beauregard, if his personal attention could be given to our defence.
   As it is, it would be much better, for the two districts to be under the independent command of Genl Cobb, thee senior Brigr General, and his Head Quarters to be at Tallahassee, where the Executive of the State could render what little assistance might be in his power, as circumstances should demand.
   The Georgia & Pensacola rail road of this state should be connected with the Savannah & Gulf road of Georgia, to be finished to Chattahoochee. The connection of the two roads can be more speedily made. The road to make the connection has been graded from Live Oak in Florida to Lawton in Georgia, and the iron can without injury to anyone be taken from the Fernandina and Cedar Keys road {Florida RR} to complete the connection, and if not taken for the purpose will be captured and used where it is, to be taken off by the enemy. Urge these matters upon the consideration of the President and Secretary of War.
Very Respectfully
John Milton

Home