| Engineer Bureau |
| April 14th, 1864 |
| |
| Col. C. F. M. Garnett |
| Commissioner &c |
| |
| Colonel, |
| I respy request from you a free expression
of opinion as to the possibility of procuring a sufficient supply of
R. R. iron for the laying down of a double track from Augusta to
Branchville {on the South Carolina RR} & for the completion of the important R. R. connection
from Blue Mountain to Rome {on the Alabama &
Tennessee River RR}, without diminishing too much necessary
supply for indispensable lines. In the consideration of these
questions, you will assume that the ordinary method of impressment, as
heretofore practiced in similar cases, will be abandoned in view of
the extreme military necessity of the objects to be obtained &
that the iron needed will be removed from the points indicated by the
commissioners under military authority & if necessity should arise
by the employment of military force. |
| Very Respy &c &c |
| A. L. Rives |
| Col. &c &c |
|