| Engineer Bureau |
| May 5th, 1863 |
| |
| Hon. Jas. A. Seddon |
| Secretary of War |
| |
| Sir, |
| Capt. L. P. Grant of the Provisional
Engineer Corps writes to know whether he shall make a loan on good
security to the Geo & Ala R. R. Co to enable them to complete the
grading, masonry, bridging &c on that portion of the road lying between
Rome, Geo. and the state line in the direction of Blue Mountain, Ala. |
| I am decidedly of opinion that this loan
should be authorized, as in case of necessity the grading once
completely finished, the iron can be rapidly laid down, and this
connection is certainly one of great importance not only in a strictly
military point of view, but to the great ??ing interests of the
Confederacy in the State of Alabama. Moreover a loan under exactly
similar circumstances has already been made to the Ala. & Tenn. River R.
R. for that portion of the incomplete link lying between the Geo. State
line & Blue Mountain, Alabama. The loan is authorized by law. |
| Very Respectfully Yours |
| J. F. Gilmer |
| Col. of Engrs. & Chf of Bureau |
|