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Engineers Dept
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Atlanta Ga Feby 24th 1864
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Lieut. Col. A. L. Rives
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Acting Chf of engineer Bureau
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Richmond, Va.
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Colonel,
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Your dispatch of yesterday was rec'd late last night. I
have replied by telegraph this morning. To give you a better idea of
the proposed change of gauge of the Montgomery & West Point Rail I
will state the present condition & character of the track. From
Montgomery to Notasulga 46 miles, and 6 miles from the West Point end,
the track is a T Rail laid on cross ties, the miles intervening space
of 35 miles is built with wooden stringers, laid into gains cut in the
cross ties, on which is spiked a light flange Rail thus {sketch
not reproduced here}.
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The T Rail track can be changed rapidly. The stringer
track requires the blocking out for 3 1/2 inches from the cross-ties
on the outer side of the stringers, and new wooden ???? on the inner
sides. I propose to move our line of Rails. In moving the T Rail
many of the old spikes will be destroyed. A complete supply of
new spikes should be provided before commencing the work. Both the
requisite number of saws, adzes, claw bacs,
spiking-hammers, axes &c and without interference from trains I
think 300 able hands can accomplish the work on the main line (87
miles) in 15 days.
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| I am Colonel |
| Very Respectfully |
| Yr Obt Svt |
| L. P. Grant |
| Capt Engrs |
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| Engineer Bureau 15 Mch 64 |
| Respy forwarded to Lt. Col. F. W. Sims in information
with request that the papers are returned. The Hon Sec of War is much
interested on the within question of gauge & Col. Sims attention
is earnestly requested. |
| A. L.. Rives |
| Lt. Col. & Acting Chf. Bur. |
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| Railroad Bureau Mch 18/64 |
| Respy retd to Col. A. L. Rives. A
communication from C. T. Pollard Esq Prest M&WP RRd has already
been forwarded to the War Dept. in which the change suggested is
discussed. The change I do not consider practicable, though it is
possible, and even after it was made our condition would not be better
materially, if at all. |
| F. W. Sims |
| Lt. Col. & Q. M. |
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| For conference with Lt Col Sims |
| JFL |