| Engineer Bureau |
| May 7th, 1863 |
| |
| Hon. James A. Seddon |
| Secretary of War |
| |
| Sir, |
| We have carefully considered
the letter of Robert. L. Owen Esqr. President of the Virginia &
Tennessee Rail Road of the 27th ult ins. addressed to you in the
subject of Government aid to increase the capacity of transportation
to and from the Salt works in Smythe and Washington Counties Virginia.
He represents that increased facilities of Transportation will
increase the production of salt, an object of first importance to the
Confederacy. In this opinion we concur, and recommend that Government
aid be extended to the enterprise by furnishing four (4) miles
of Rail Road iron to lay additional sidings on the branch road leading
to the salt works from the Va. & Tennessee Road, and to exclude
the branch beyond the salines for the purpose of obtaining the
requisite supply of wood. |
| We further recommend that the
four miles of iron be taken from the Rogersville & Jefferson
Branch, Tennessee. |
| Mr. Owen's letter is returned
herewith. |
| We are very Respectfully |
| Your obt. Servt. |
| J. F. Gilmer |
| Col. of Engrs. & Chf of Bureau |
| Wm. M. Wadley |
| A. A. G. |
|