| Engineer Bureau |
| 19th July 1864 |
| |
| H. D. Whitcomb Esq |
| Supdt. {Virginia} Central
Road |
| |
| Sir, |
| I have ordered down from the {Richmond
&} Danville Road fifty negroes and twenty five mechanics
who will not probably arrive before 8 o'clock tomorrow morning. |
| They are to be sent to Culpepper to take
up a portion of the track of the Orange & Alexandria Rail Road and
it is important there should be no delay. |
| Please inform me by bearer whether you
will be able to send these men by a train between 8 & 12 o'clock
tomorrow morning. |
| Respy Yours |
| A. L. Rives |
| Col. &c |