| Engineer Bureau |
| June 17th 1863 |
| |
| Lieut Genl R. S. Ewell |
| Comdg near Winchester Va |
| |
| General, |
| Capt. T. B. Lee
Engrs goes to the Valley to save if possible railroad materials,
including machinery and tools from the Baltimore & Ohio and
Winchester {& Potomac} roads. He is instructed to confer with you and ask such
authority and assistance from you as may enable him to carry out
successfully the undertaking. |
| The wants of our
main railroads are many & pressing and every thing that we can
save from the roads seized from the enemy will aid us to keep up the
essential military connections throughout the Confederacy. Possibly a
part of any transportation captured by your forces might be employed
in hauling the property seized to a place of safety. |
| The railroad shops
at Martinsburg are said to be well furnished with such tools as we
much need -- the same is probably true of other places. Again, the
most valuable parts of Engines & Cars may be saved. |
| The railroad
question has become one of such pressing importance that I venture to
ask of you all the authority assistance and protection that you can
give to Capt. Lee in the prosecution of his work. |
| Most Truely, Your Obt. Servt |
| J. F. Gilmer |
| Col of Engrs & Chief of
Bureau |