| Southern Division Miss. Central R. R. |
| Superintendent's Office |
| Grenada April 14th 1864 |
|
|
| Maj. G. Whitfield |
|
|
| Dear Sir, |
| To prosecute repairs on this road & to
keep hands employed in the most effective manner I need shovels, axes
& some heavy hammers and should take an additional supply of
spiking hammers, will you have them sent to the work. I will supply
all I can spare from the track. |
| If it is the intention of Genl Polk to
keep our present track & equipments in working order it is
necessary for him to permit me to obtain some supplies & materials
from over the Border for that purpose, such as shovels, axes, files,
steel & other articles of absolute necessity. This I can do if
permissible to Exchange Cotton for them. Otherwise I have no means of
payment. Some two weeks since I wrote to the General on the subject,
but received no reply. Can you urge the necessity of this permission. |
| There is another small matter to which I
wish to direct your attention. It may be you have no authority in the
matter. If you have it seems to me it should be exercised. It is this.
The Government have a Pontoon Bridge across the river at this place,
on the site of the Old Ferry which is a chartered Company. That
Company charges all waggons not in Government employ $2, each for
crossing the Bridge and fifty cents for each foot passenger. I
necessarily have to send waggons across the river to transport freight
& Baggage and the Employees of the road are constantly crossing
& recrossing to attend to their duties. Thus I am compelled to pay
from $10 to $25 per day for crossing a Government Bridge. Can you
apply a corrective. I will probably go to Canton Saturday or Sunday.
Only three hands yet impressed. |
| Yours &c |
| W Goodman Prest |
| |
| {on back of document} |
| Lake Station Miss |
| May 9th 1864 |
| Respectfully referred to Col Thos M Jack A A Gen |
| It is certainly wrong that Col Goodman should pay
ferriage for his hands crossing the River at Grenada on a Govt Pontoon
Will you give such orders as will remedy this evil. The within letter
was only received by me to day. |
| George Whitfield |
| Maj & Q. M. |