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Greensboro N. C. |
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July 1 1864 |
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Hon. James A. Seddon |
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Secretary of War |
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Richmond Va. |
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Sir, |
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On my arrival at this place four or five days ago, I found
the enemy had destroyed a part of the Richmond & Danville R. R. south of
Burkeville. To aid in making the repairs vital to the Road & the supply
of Genl Lee's army I sent Lieut. Col. Jno. J. Clarke, Engineer, to
Charlotte, N. C. with orders to remove iron from the Charlotte &
Statesville Road {Atlantic, Tennessee & Ohio RR}
& forward it to Danville, this same being a military necessity.
The working parties have been organized by Col. Clarke & the work will
be pressed as rapidly as the means at hand will permit |
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Under my instructions Col. Clarke & Capt. E. T. D. Myers,
Engineers, will do all in their power to forward repairs on the Richmond
& Danville R. Road. Both of these officers are now on the road near the
break to give professional assistance. |
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In the mean time as many wagons & teams as possible should
be put on the break to haul forward the supplies most needed by the
army. |
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Major J. N. Edmonston Insp. Field Transportation at this
place has been successful in his efforts to collect draught animals in
this region of country for artillery & transportation purposes (over
500) which he is forwarding as rapidly a possible to Clarkesville Va,
subject to the orders of Maj. George Johnston, Chief Insp. Field Trans.
at Richmond. If these animals or a part of them can be spared for
hauling across the break in the Road, they will be near the point when
at Clarkesville. |
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I fear it will require from 25 to 30 days to get the cars
running through, at present supplies will have to be hauled abut 25
miles, but the road is reported good. |
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I suffer much from the condition of my eyes but I will
proceed to Richmond a soon a I think I can be of any service in the
Bureau or elsewhere. While here I will do all that is possible to
renew the connection now broken & to press forward supplies. If
necessary I will have all the iron taken from the Charlotte &
Statesville Road & transported to Danville Virginia. |
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I am Sir |
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Very Respectfully |
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Yr obt servant |
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J. F. Gilmer |
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Maj Genl & Chf Engnr Bureau |