| Presdt's Office North Eastern R. R. |
| Charleston February 10, 1864 |
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| Maj F. W. Sims |
| Richmond |
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Dear Sir,
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Yours of 5th Inst was duly recd. I regret that you can
do nothing towards supplying us with Rails for the repair of our
Track, as the same time, I can fully appreciate the importance you
attach to the keeping up of the South Carolina Road, & the
obligations which exist for the earliest appropriation to it of any
Rails you may have for distribution.
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I am experiencing great difficulty and annoyances in
getting the Mechanics absolutely necessary now for the daily
repair of our Engines, and when I can hear of one in the service,
who would be very valuable to us, there are obstacles opposed
to our getting him out of it, from the Captain of his Company to the
Com General. May I trouble you from time to time, as I may hear of
men who would answer our purpose, to make an application for them
directly to the Secretary of War? The number, so asked for, would
not exceed six. At present I know of but one and him, I have
repeatedly applied for but have failed to get. His name is "D.
B. Haselton" a private in Company E 25th Regt S. C. Vols. There
is no objection to his detail beyond the Cap. of his service with
sanks{?}. I will thank you to send me if possible an order for him,
from the Secretary of War.
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Yours very Respy
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A. F. Ravenel
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Pres.
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over
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Private
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When will our Government see "the error of its
ways" in consuming the valuable material of the country, its
transportation, its Iron rails and its skilful mechanical labor in
the construction of Gunboats? Surely, the vitally important
questions with justification are transportation and subsistence
and to a great extent the latter is involved in the former. Still,
this view is entirely ignored, and the construction of these comparatively
useless Machines is being urged forward, regardless of the
costs & consequences which they entail. Let us illustrate my
position, we have here a perfect little Torpedo Boat, which some
months ago, made "a raid" upon the "Ironsides,"
and, as it is supposed, very seriously injured her. Now this Torpedo
Boat is in perfect order & has been for months, still those in
control of her have not yet discovered a second opportunity
for her services. In the meanwhile, a large number are being built,
and some of our best Mechanics are employed in this alteration &
a depletion of several Engines to their propulsion. At this moment,
there are as many Machinists so employed in our own Shops (where the
work is being done), as we have employed on our Engines. Some of the
latter are constantly out of service, for the need of Labor, and
slight repairs. For would it not be better for the Country, if it
had fewer Torpedo Boats and more Engines, fewer
Gunboats, and a larger supply of Rail Road Iron?
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Having a pen ??? and an empty sheet, I could not avoid
trespassing these remarks upon your valuable time and attention.
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Yours Truly
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A. F. Ravenel
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