| Engineer Bureau |
| December 4th 1863 |
| |
| Col. W. H. Stevens, C. S. Engrs. |
| Chf Constr DNV |
| |
| Colonel, |
| In as much as you
are unable to furnish an additional force of free negroes to work on
the {Virginia} Central
RR, the Hon Secy of War, in view of the importance and urgency of the
case, instructs me to request you to endeavor to obtain as promptly as
possible from some of the owners of impressed slaves their consent to
allow about fifty of their hands to be diverted from the
fortifications to the repairs of the Va. Central RR. |
| Very Respectfully Yours |
| A. L. Rives |
| Lt. Col. & Actg Ch Bu |
|