| Office Mississippi Central Railroad
Company |
| Holly Springs, Oct 29th 1862 |
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| Col J W Orr C. S. A. |
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Commanding Post Holly Springs |
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Dear Sir, |
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I feel constrained by duty to the Confederate Government
as well as to the Railroad with which I am officially connected to
make another appeal to the Military Authorities for some assistance
in procuring oil & other articles absolutely necessary for the
operation of our road. |
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Oil is an article that we cannot do without. Through the
kindness of Genl Van Dorn I obtained a few barrells from the
Government. An agent I sent to Georgia for a supply has just
returned with a few barrells and the information the roads in that
section & the Government consumed all they could make. I have
persons travelling the country to pick up every possible substitute
and yet my present supply will not even supply our necessities for
three weeks. I have endeavored, unsuccessfully, to procure some from
Memphis, but it being contraband I was not permitted to bring it
out. It has however been intimated to me that if cotton was brought
into that city, I would be permitted to take oil out. |
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Besides oil, I need other materials for repairs and a
supply of salt sufficient only for the road. I have three hundred &
fifty hands to feed. My supply of provisions will be exhausted in
two weeks. It is necessary I should procure more. I can do so if I
can obtain salt, without salt I cannot & must lessen the number of
hands necessary to keep our road in safe condition. |
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What I desire is this -- permission to take into Memphis
a sufficient quantity of cotton to purchase the oil & salt necessary
for our consumption on condition that I be permitted to bring from
that city the articles we so much need & feel it impossible to
procure elsewhere or on other conditions. |
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With respect I am |
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Your obt Servt |
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W Goodman Pres |