| Hd Qrs Dept Ala Miss & E. La. |
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Meridian Feby 15th 1865 |
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Brig Genl W. L. Brandon |
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Condg &c |
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Enterprise Miss |
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General, |
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I am informed by the President of the Southern
{(of Mississippi)} R. R. Co that, the
effect of enrolling negroes by the Bureau of Conscription under recent
orders from Richmond is to withdraw from his road the services of
negroes hired by the Company to work on said road. The effect will be
the same on the other roads in Miss. I therefore respectfully request
that Enrolling officers be directed to credit on the quotas of owners
all negroes hired by them to Railroads, and actually at work on said
roads at the time of Enrollment. Unless this is done very serious
inconveniences must ensure to the government as the Rail Roads will have
to stop for want of necessary laborers. |
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I would add that last fall it was tried in Alabama and
found to result as above stated. The Negroes were there enrolled,
collected and turned over to the Engr Corps and then put back on the
Rail Roads and run off as soon as possible. Indeed it was found
impossible to keep them on the Roads without guards and as it is
impossible to furnish guards for them, and feeling satisfied it is the
only practicable way to avoid trouble and serious inconveniences in the
matter, I have to urge upon you the importance of giving the above named
direction to your officers having charge of the Enrollment in this
State. |
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Very Respy, Genl, Your &c |
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R. Taylor |
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Lt Genl |
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