| Macon, Ga May 7th 1863 |
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Col. J. Gorgas |
| Chief of Ordnance |
| Richmond, Va. |
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| Colonel, |
| ***** |
| I hope to begin laying brick in two or
three days, as soon as the kiln is cold enough to take down. I see no
reason to anticipate any serious difficulty now in the progress of
erection of the buildings except for the want of railroad transportation
for the brick to the Laboratory grounds. The distance by railroad is but
about 2 miles, by the common road about 3 miles. The long sandy hills on
the latter route would however render the hauling bricks by wagon
enormously expensive. Many additional teams would have to be bought or
hired. If I can be given control of but three or four (3 or 4) railroad
cars, or be given authority to take charge of that number of
ownerless cars (from the Louisville & Nashville R. R., Memphis &
Charleston R. R., which often pass through Atlanta, and are used by
everyone and taken care of by no one, the work can be accomplished. The
Macon & Western R. R. will supply the locomotive power but have not
the cars. |
| ***** |
| I am Colonel, |
| Very Respy |
| Your obt Sevt |
| J. W. Mallet Capt. &c |
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