| Engineer Bureau |
| November 30th 1863 |
| |
| Lt. Col. J. M. St. John |
| Chief of Nitre & Mining
Bureau |
| |
| Colonel, |
| Your letter of the
14th Inst. asking to be informed what amount of Iron should be
reserved for the castings of the bridges in the East Tennessee
Department has been received and I have been prevented by sickness
from replying at an earlier date. |
| In the opinion of
the Bureau from fifty to one hundred tons should be reserved for the
purpose specified. |
| Yours Very Respectfully |
| A. L. Rives |
| Lt Col & Actg Chf Bureau |
|