| Executive Department |
| Tallahassee May 21st 1863 |
| |
| Hon James A. Seddon |
| Secretary of War |
| |
| Sir, |
| On the 10th inst I addressed a
letter to you in which it is stated that "the iron on the Florida Rail
Road is rendering no indispensible service," when it should have been
stated the iron on parts of the road. Upon enquiry I ascertain, that the
portions of the road from Camp Cooper to Fernandina and from Gainesville
to Cedar Keys a distance of at least seventy five miles are not
necessary to our defence, but are liable at any moment to be taken
possession of by the enemy and used for the subjugation of that portion
of the State. Brig Genl Finegan entertains a different opinion and in
justice to him I enclosed a few days ago to your address, a copy of a
letter from him to me on the subject. Your attention is respectfully
invited to the accompanying extract from m annual message to the General
Assembly of this State. The views therein expressed, I yet entertain.
But supposing, that, the connection of the Pensacola & Georgia Rail Road
had been determined upon by the Confederate Authorities, to enable the
Government to make the connection, I advised the use of the iron on
parts of the Florida R Road for the purpose. On yesterday I was informed
the connection proposed to be made, was, between Monticello and the 17th
Station (Quitman) on the A & G Road. To this connection the Pensacola &
Georgia R. R. Company object, and if it shall be attempted will apply to
a Judicial officer of the State for an injunction and I entertain no
doubt, that the objections of the Company will be sustained by the
Judgment of the Court. The official report of the President of the Board
is herein enclosed, to which your attention is respectfully invited.
From it you will ascertain the connection desired by the Board and their
reasons for it. |
| The company can not reasonably
or successfully oppose the extension of the road from Quincy to
Chattahoochee, and will not object, but extend every assistance in their
power to build the road to Chattahoochee, rather than agree or submit to
the connection from Monticello to the 17th Station or Quitman. The
length of the road from the Depot at Quincy to Chattahoochee would not
be more than twenty miles and if the road should not be continued to the
river, but terminate a the Arsenal would be 18 miles. |
| The Arsenal has by my order
been placed under the command of Genl Cobb for the use of the
Confederate Government, and it will afford most ample facilities for
ordinance stores &c. Knowing that you have reports in our office
descriptive of the buildings &c connected with the Arsenal I deem it
unnecessary to enter into details as to the advantages to be derived
from it in connection with the road. It has been urged that at low water
the navigation of the river is not good. Such is not the fact except for
a short time during the summer, when the navigation will not be
important, and the river has never been too low to be navigated as high
as Fort Gaines, at which place the RR ceases from Macon. It has been
also said that tools can not be procured for the excavation and grading
which would be necessary in the construction of the road. Such is not
the fact. The farmers of the State if called upon will furnish the
implements necessary from their plantations. |
| I have the honor to be |
| Respectfully |
| John Milton |
|