| Engineer Bureau |
| October 23d/63 |
| |
| H. D. Whitcomb Esq |
| Genl Supt {Virginia} Central RR |
| Richmond, Va. |
| |
| Sir, |
| Your communication of the 15th inst.
asking that certain slaves drafted from the contractors upon the
Central RR should be returned to their employers has been referred by
the Sec of War to the Engineer Bureau. |
| I have referred the matter to Col. W. H.
Stevens, Chf of Construction, Dept Northern Virginia who reports that
he has "already declined releasing any negroes except those
actually employed by the RR Company." |
| I cannot therefore comply with your
request, as it appears from you r letter that the slaves are not
employed by the RR Company, but by contractors for wood ties, &c. |
| Very Respectfully Your Obt Servt |
| A. L. Rives |
| Lt. Col. & Actg Chf Bu |
|