|
Headquarters
|
|
Department of S. C., Ga., and Fla. |
| Charleston, S. C., Jany 26th, 1864 |
| |
| Major Milton |
| ??? of Conscripts for State of S. C. |
| Columbia, S. C. |
| |
| Major, |
| The Superintendent of the South Carolina
Rail Road has addressed a communication to these Head Quarters stating
that James Mims, a fireman on one of the Engines of that Road, has been
arrested and carried to Barnwell C. H. by an Enrolling Officer. He
represents that it is absolutely necessary that the Road should have the
services of this man, as they will have to stop running one Engine in
consequent of his absence, which would be detrimental to the interests
of the Government, as the Road is transporting Government supplies. |
| I am directed by the
Commanding General to suggest to you the propriety of releasing this man
and permitting him to return to his employment on the Rail Road. |
| Respectfully |
| Your Obt Sevt |
| ????? {name is
illegible due to endorsements being written over the name} |
| |
| Head Qurs C?? Dept |
| Columbia 27 Jan '64 |
| Respectfully referred to the Enrolling
officer of Barnwell district for his report and opinion. |
| By order Comdt of Cons |
| Ch: Richardson Nieles for commt |
| |
| Head Quarters Enrolling Office |
| Barnwell C. H., S. C. |
| Jany 29, 1864 |
| Major, |
| The man Jane H. Mims was arrested c??bed
and sent forward under guard to the Camp of Instruction on the 3
September 1863. While being moved to Camp he deserted . Since that tie
he has been skulking through the country evading Enrolling officers and
by every contrivance imaginable keeping out of the service. A week or
two ago I was told that the man Mims had left his hiding place and hired
himself to the Rail Road Company as Fireman, and that he was at
Branchville S. C. I had him arrested and sent to your Head Quarters. It
is earnestly recommended that this man be kept in the military service
of the Confederacy and if a Fireman is absolutely needed on the S. C. R.
Road that some more patriotic soldier be released from such service from
the Army, than the man Mims. |
| Very Respectfully |
| E. H Youngblood |
| Capt & En. O. Barnwell dist. |
| Major C. D. Melton |
| Comdt Conscpts |
| |
| Hd Qrs Conscript Dept |
| Columbia SC |
| 2 February |
| Respectfully returned to the Commanding
General and his attention invited to the remarks of the Enrolling
officer for Barnwell which are concurred in |
| While the importance of
keeping up the efficiency of Rail Road service is most fully
appreciated, it is impossible to avoid ??? what a refuge they are now
affording to soldiers and evaders, of conscription. It is difficult to
perceive why the running of an Engine should be discontinued because of
the conscription of a single fireman, whose place it is supposed may be
supplied by a slave. |
| T M Randolph |
| Major & Actg Comdt |
| |
| Hd Qrs Dept SC &c |
| Feby 3d/64 |
| Respy refd to Supt SC RRd for his
information (Please return) |
| By Comd of Genl Beauregard |
| ??? |
| AAG |
| |
| S. C. R. R. |
| Charleston Feby 3 |
| I did not know that Mims was a deserter or
I certainly would not have allowed him to be employed upon the Road. He
has been an old Fireman on this Road |
| Respectfully |
| H T Peake |
| Gen Supt |