NA, G&HJ 3/16/1864

Houston Texas March 16th 1864
 
To Major Genl J. B. Magruder
Comg District Texas New Mexico and Arizona
 
For Brig Genl Slaughter
Chief of Staff
 
   The undersigned respectfully represents that in the fall of 1861 he tendered his services to Major J. Killersberg who was at that time superintending the construction of the defences at Galveston, and was by him appointed Lt of Engineers and remained in active service in this Department until May 1862 when he was ordered by Major Kellersberg to make the surveys for the Galveston & Houston Junction Rail Road and after making said surveys was ordered to superintend the construction and building of said Rail Road, upon which work he has been engaged until the present time.
   That he has never been absent from duty. Nor has he ever applied for a furlough, or leave of absence until the present time.
   That he now desires a leave of absence for four months to go to Very Cruz, and such other places as may be necessary as an agent for the purchase of Rail Road supplies, Surveying Instruments and Engineer Stationary, now so much needed in this State. That he has made arrangements, and has at his command, the necessary means to make such purchases, and for the delivery of the same at Matamoras, or such other ports in Texas as circumstances may permit, and he respectfully prays that a leave of absence and passports be granted to him for that purpose.
Very Respectfully
Your Most Obt Servt
James Converse
{Other documents show that he made the trip, but there is no indication of whether he succeeded in purchasing and returning the supplies he went for}

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