|
Office Gen Supt W. & M. R. R. {Wilmington
& Manchester RR}
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| Wilmington NC Oct 25, 1864 |
| |
| Brig Gen A. R. Lawton |
| Quarter Master General |
| Richmond Va. |
| |
| General, |
| I beg leave respectfully to enquire what
action the Government proposes to take with this Co under General
Orders No 77 recently issued making the details made by the Secretary
of War. I would with deference remark that it is impossible to
dispense with the services of this class of our employees, and answer
the calls for transportation. We are willing to do military duty if
those in authority deem it best for us to do so; or if they so decide,
we will continue to attend to the needs of the country in the matter
of transportation. We will most cheerfully do either; but are unable
to do both. The present Act of Congress allowing by exemption on man
to the mile is not sufficient to enable a road to be kept up and
properly worked. In fact Congress must have been more or less under
this impression because of its giving the President the right to make
details to companies in this Act extra & beyond those specifically
provided for. The detailed men we now have are absolutely necessary
for us and we cannot dispense with their services and keep up &
work this Road. With this in view if the fact that we have been called
on to return a list of our employees of all classes & to solicit
your friendly intercession it can ??? deemed this road of sufficient
importance to warrant it. I have written you directly rather than
through Col. Sims as I learn he is absent from Richmond and I presume
some immediate action will be taken. With great respect |
| Your obt svt |
| Henry M Drane |
| Gen Supt. |
|