| Confederate States |
| Quartermaster's Department |
| Office Supt. Railroad Transportation |
|
Richmond, March 20, 1865
|
| |
| Brig Genl Lawton |
| Q. M. G. |
| |
| General, |
| To
insure the transportation of supplies from Danville to Petersburg and
Richmond I would suggest that the govt take possession of the South
Side Railroad or that portion of it from Burkeville to Lynchburg, and
have it worked by the Virginia & Tennessee RRd Co. This would
release the South Side machinery from that portion of its road, and
would enable it to be placed on a through line from Danville to
Petersburg. |
| The
V&T RRd Co are willing to undertake that portion of the work
assigned to them, but I fear the South Side Company will not consent
to the arrangement. In which event I desire to be armed with such
authority as will enable me to carry out the suggestion immediately,
if it meets your approval. |
| The
order should place the track, turnouts, depots, water stations, wood,
&c &c at the disposal of the govt. and should confer the
authority ????? service all the persons engaged in repairing, depot
agents, wood contractors or other officers and employees now occupied
in keeping up the current business of that end of the road between
Lynchburg and Burkeville, except those actually engaged as employees
on the engines and cars. It should also provide that the govt. should
establish such rules and regulations and schedules as the officer
assigned to the duty deems most conducive to the good of the service.
And under the clause compelling the service of officers &c it
should be specially stated that the Superintendent of the South Side
RRd, should continue the supervision of the repairs of the end of his
road we propose to take, and that he is responsible for a sufficient
supply of wood and water and for the condition of the track. |
| I would
respectfully ask that, if these suggestions meet your approval, an
order be issued today carrying them into operation, and that one
officer be assigned to the duty seeing the order executed. |
| Very respy |
| Yr obdt svt. |
| F. W. Sims |
| Lt Col & QM |
| |
| {on the back of the
document} |
| Gen A R Lawton |
| Quarter Master Genl |
| |
| The act
of Congress approved 28 February 1865 entitled An act to provide for
the more efficient transportation of troops, supplies & munitions
of war upon the railroads steamboats & canals in the Confederate
States & to control telegraphers employed by the government vests
in the Secretary of War & such agents & officers as he may
designate the control of the transportation mentioned. |
| All the
control for the ??? of the act that is placed in the Secretary of War
in so far as it relates to the South Side road from Burkeville to
Lynchburg Va is hereby communicated to you & the officers of the
Q. M. Department under your orders. |
| You are
empowered to establish rules & regulations for the use of the road
& to command the officers agents & employees so as to secure
regular expectations safe & orderly transportation of men &
property upon it & whatsoever else may be authorized under the act
of Congress aforesaid. |
| By order |
| J A Campbell |
| Asn |
| |
| 25 March 1865 |
| Lt Col Sims will
execute the order of the Secretary of War and report his actions to
this Bureau. |
| A R Lawton |
| Q. M. Genl.. |