| Head Quarters Dept. So. Ca., Ga. & Fl. |
| Charleston S. C. July 6th 1863 |
| |
| To His Excellency |
| Gov John Milton |
| Tallahassee Fla |
| |
| Sir, |
| Your favor of the 29th ult.
has been received enclosing your correspondence with Brig Genl Finegan &
Hon D L Yulee {President, Florida RR}
relative to the removing of the iron from parts of the Florida Rl Rd &
its appropriation for other purposes. After a careful perusal of the
correspondence, which I have enclosed to the War Dept for its
information & consideration, I can but express my unqualified approval
of the position you have assumed that the connection of the Albany &
Gulf Rl Rd with the Pensacola & Georgia Rl Rd & prolongation of the
latter to the Chattahoochee are indispensable to the proper defence of
the State of Florida. Where the required iron should come from is a
question that the State & Confederate Govt alone are competent to
decide; but your views on that subject appear to me to be conclusive. |
| Hoping that a spirit of pure
patriotism will open the eyes of all concerned to the necessity of
prompt action in measures so vitally important to the safety of your
gallant State. |
| I remain with high consideration |
| Your Obt Sevt |
| G. T. Beauregard |
| Genl Comdg |
|