| Engineer Bureau |
| Richmond, Va., 15 Oct. 1863 |
| |
| Capt. L. P. Grant, Eng. Corps PACS |
| Atlanta Georgia |
| |
| Captain, |
| Your letter of the 28th ult. has been
reviewed. Compensation for damages in constructing the defensive works
of Atlanta should not be paid by you at this time. The Hon. Sec.
of War has decided that such claims should be suspended for the special
legislation of Congress to provide means to meet them by appropriations.
The amount of damage done however should be ascertained by you with
reasonable promptness & in the usual method forwarding in your locality,
in order to protect the interests of the Government as well as
individuals when the question of settlement arises. It is better to keep
the cost of each particular work separate although it is not absolutely
required provided the ltr column of "application" of the voucher is
properly filled up. |
| The vouchers when prepared accompanied by
accounts current &c. should be forwarded to this Bureau for examination
& transmission to the 2nd Auditor of the Treasury Dept. |
| Very resply yours, |
| A. L. Rives |
| Lt Col & Actg Chf Bu. |
|