| Goldsboro, No Ca. |
| January 9th 1864 |
| |
| Maj. F. W. Sims |
| Rail Road Bureau |
| Richmond |
| |
| Major, |
| I have recd your letters of the 1st &
7th insts. As you state, it will require all the power of the North
Carolina RRoad to transport 150,000 bushels corn per month {about
35 trains of 15 cars each}, & it
will give the Raleigh & Gaston Road all it can do. The Wilmington
& Weldon Road has been exceedingly unfit trisemte. Recently on
night before last an Engine, just from the Shops where it had been
thoroughly repaired, ran over a tree that the ice storm had thrown
across the road below this place, & is now bottoms up in the ditch
& badly damaged. Three passenger cars were also injured, but
fortunately no one was killed. We have had gallantry on that road
& the ??? from Wilmington to Weldon. Tho??? to have been compelled
during the last eight days to load some cotton for one State to
Wilmington & for a week before & a month after Christmas in
this fashion both white men & negroes greatly prefer play to work.
But I hope & believe matters will soon be straightened & that
we make the ability to keep this line clear of Govt freight. Atlantic
Road {Atlantic & North Carolina RR} has now two trains at work for Govt & in a few days we will
put another at the corn. I must say that in consequence of the
constant interruption of the trains of the Weldon Road for the
transportation of troops that the Road is entitled to more
consideration from the Govt on allowance that be made for it than for
other roads in the State ??? except the Atlantic Road is similarly
dehearted. |
| I believe at present it ??? the best not
to interfere in any way with North Carolina Road. If we move to hire
trains or take any steps in that way, it would shift in a measure the
responsibility of that road to the Govt, to make good the pledge to
haul the 150,000 bushels per month. I will keep watch that way &
hold Mr. Webb {President, North Carolina RR}
up to his pledge & in care of fortune will ??? act as qm trains.
In the event of Mr. Sanford {President,
Petersburg RR} not being able to take the grain away from
Weldon or Gaston as fast as delivered by the Raleigh & Gaston
& Atlantic trains arriving here through to Petersburg I do not fear any detention on lower line &
you may count satisfied no exertions will be spared to keep it
clear of Govt freight of all kinds. |
| Very Respectfully |
| John Whitford |
| Supt Roads ??? |
|