| Galveston, Houston & Henderson Railroad |
| Superintendent's Office |
| Harrisburg Dec 4, 1862 |
| |
| Genl P. B. Magruder |
| |
| Dear Sir, |
| Please allow me to explain my troubles on
the night of the fight. |
| I arrived at Va Point with train having
Col Ryby Regt, and found every thing in confusion, could not get a man
belonging to Govt to do anything so I could get the Rifled Gun to
Galveston. I finaly got started with Gun and ammunition. I ran into 3
cars between Eagle Grove & Galveston. I was not advised that they
were there. I found the soldiers asleep besides them, after chaining
them up as well as possible. I shoved them all into Galveston about 3
1/2 A. M. and found not a man to receive them, the Harriet Lane lying
immediately opposite. I hastened to inform you & kept my train
ready for your orders. |
| Myself & men have been cursed &
abused by almost every officer & soldier for the last or 3
weeks. We have been at work night and day to keep things moving, and
every man in my employ has done his utmost duty |
| My difficulty has been to many conflicting
orders. If I could of been advised what was to of been done, things
would of went better. |
| The water in shops and at Depot Galveston
in should be protected from the soldiers, as the success of our
Engines depends upon fresh water. |
| The connecters for those Guns of mine were
not prepaired right, they should of been made of Copper, the same
could then be used a great many times over. |
| I am making great efforts to get
Locomotive from {Houston & Texas} Central
Road to this Road. If you will have Capt Schanton help me it will
greatly facillitat it getting here. If it meets with your wishes, have
him report to me. |
| Respy |
| Geo B Nichols |
| Super {Superintendent,
Galveston, Houston & Henderson RR} |