| Head Quarters 2nd Regmt S. R. F. |
| Richmond Octor 22d 1864 |
| |
| To Genl. Gardner |
| |
| At many of the posts guarded
in Richmond little or no provision has been made for the protection of
the guard. From a report made to me by my Lieut. C. S. Bowell, and
from my own observation, I beg respectfully to submit to you the
following report of the condition of the posts above mentioned now
guarded by my Regiment. |
| 1st The wood yard on Broad Street. No room
or shelter for the men. It is very important that the men should be
furnished with a room containing a fire place, as an open fire would
endanger the large quantity of wood stored there. |
| 2nd {Richmond &} Petersburg Rail Road Bridge. No room or
shelter at either end, and no fuel. |
| 3rd {Richmond &} Danville Rail Road Bridge. No room or
shelter except a tent the men found on the other side of the River,
and which may be claimed at any time by the owner. No fuel. There are
three posts, one at each end and one in the middle. |
| 4th Mayo Bridge. Here there are three
posts. One at each end and one in the middle. No fuel and no shelter
except a small shed which the men have put up large enough for but two
on this side of the River. |
| At these three bridges the men
are very much exposed and are suffering from the cold weather, and
will suffer more as the weather grows colder. |
| 5th City Jail. No fuel. The post is very
uncomfortable. The men use a room with a large hole in the floor and
one also in the weather boarding. This room might be repaired at
little expense and in a short time. |
| 6th Treasury Department. Fuel wanted. |
| 7th War Department. Fuel wanted. A room has
been commenced for the guard but remains unfinished. At present it is
of no use. It might be finished in ten days by two carpenters. |
| 8th Post Office Department. No room and no
fuel. The men when not stationed as sentinels might be allowed to
shelter themselves, with the guard of the Treasury Department, in the
room in the Treasury Department, used for that purpose. The two posts
are less than 70 yards apart and the sentinels within distinct hearing
of each other. |
| 9th {Virginia} Central RRoad Shops. No fuel. |
| 10th Guard Room. No fuel. |
| At the other posts the men are
provided with rooms & fuel. I can not too strongly urge the
immediate furnishing of fuel at the posts where it is needed. The
nights are cold and the men (the most of whom have not been relieved
for twenty four consecutive days) are suffering from the exposure. |
| Respectfully |
| T. J. Evans, Col. Comdg. |