| Engineer Bureau |
| July 27th '63 |
| |
| Maj. Gen. A. Elzey |
| Comdg at Richmond, Va. |
| |
| General, |
| I am just informed
by Lieut Steuart from Fredericksburg that he has fifty men at work for
removing the iron from RRoad {Richmond,
Fredericksburg & Potomac RR} north of
Fredericksburg with proper support and assistance from Maj. Collins
and his command. |
| I still hope all can
be saved. I will communicate with Gen Lee on the subject. At Falmouth
and other points across the Rappahannock there are many sand bags in
the Federal batteries; possibly the men of Maj. Collins command
remaining at or near Fredericksburg, could save some of them, if not rotten,
and destroy the remainder. Gen. Lee's orders to the Major, dated 28th
June last requires him to remove the material of the railroad if
possible. |
| To this end he has
as yet given no assistance. |
| Yr obt Servt |
| J. F. Gilmer |
| Col. Engrs & Chf of Bureau |
|