| Demopolis Oct 16, 1863 |
| |
| General Joseph E. Johnston |
| |
| Sir, |
| We have been informed by
Government agents and military men that Government is solicitous for a
more perfect connection of our Rail Road at the crossing of the
Tombigbee River. |
| As Rail Road men we would make
it ourselves but for work which must be done on our west end not in
operation, and the difficulty of getting labor, impossibility of getting
meat, tools, and Rail Road materials. |
| If the government will furnish
us what we cannot get, at government prices, we are willing to do all,
except the bridge and more or less speedily according to the
labor we can have. This will consist of five or six miles of new road, &
leave but a ferry across the river. |
| If government will build a
bridge under our superintendence, we will pay interest on cost for the
time we will use it during the war & buy it at fair value after peace. |
|
Above is the substance of what was said yesterday, briefly
stated; & respectfully submitted by |
| Your Obt Sevt |
| W. P. Bocock Prest. |
| Ala. & Miss. Rivers R. R. Co |
| |
| PS I venture to suggest that if owners of
slaves could get credit in military impressments for hands engaged on
the above R. Road work it would enable us to obtain plenty of common
laborers. |
| W. P. Bocock |
| |
| {on back of document} |
| Chief of Engineers for report |
| By order J A Campbell ASW |
| |
| Reply submitted to the Secy of War |
| H. L. Clay |
| AAG |
| Oct 27/63 |
| |
| Engineer Bureau |
| 30 Nov 1863 |
| Respy returned to Hon Sec of War |
| This whole question has been placed by the
Q. M. Genl. in the hands of Mr. Tate President of the Memphis &
Charleston R. R. The Engineer officers of Genl Johnston's command, & the
Commissioners for removal & RR iron have had their special attention
called to the subject. It is believed that every effort will be promptly
made to secure the connection. |
| A. L Rives |
| Lt. Col. & Actg. Chf of Bu. |