| Engineer Bureau |
| Aug 7th 1863 |
| |
| Capt. E. T. D. Myers |
| Corps of Engrs P. A. C. S. |
| |
| Captain, |
| I am in receipt of a letter from Mr.
George H. Haslehurst, Engineer, informing me that he has the control
of thirteen hundred hands which can be employed to press forward the
construction of any Rail Road that may be important to the military
transportation of the country. There is no road now being built of
equal importance to the Danville & Greensboro connection, of which
you are the chief Engineer. Will you please to inform me what number
of hands can be employed on your road in addition to your present
force -- in other words, what additional number of Negroes will be
required to secure the maximum rate of construction & earliest
completion of the Piedmont Rail Road? It is believed that animals
carts & implements can be supplied, at best in part with the force
offered by Mr. Haslehurst all forwarded to Greensboro N. C. |
| Will the Directors of the Piedmont Road
contract with the owners of the negroes or hire them giving
appropriate wages? By contract the work can be probably pressed most
rapidly. The services of Mr. Haselehurst, an Engineer of experience
can be secured to all in forwarding the work -- the importance of
which appreciate. |
| Will you please to confer fully &
promptly with the Board of Directors of your road -- decide as to the
force that can be worked whether by contract or hire -- the terms
&c &c. & report to this Bureau at the earliest day
possible. The War Dept. will order commissary supplies for the force
employed on the Road & any other assistance that can be offered.
Mr. Geo. H. Haslehurst writes from Sparta Ga. on the 10th inst he will
be in Augusta Ga. He has been requested by this Bureau to be in
Richmond the 13th & 14th inst if possible to confer with the
Directors of your Road. |
| Your obt Servt |
| J. F. Gilmer |
| Col Engrs & Chf of Bu. |
|