| Quartermaster General's Department |
| Richmond Oct. 21st 1864 |
| |
| Maj. Genl. J. F. Gilmer |
| Chief of Engr Bureau |
| |
| Sir, |
| I have the honor to return
herewith certain papers, relating to a proposed R. R. between
Montgomery & Union Springs, Ala., referred by you for information
as to the ability of this Bureau to render assistance in material
money etc. |
| On receiving Gen. Taylors
dispatch of 29th Sept. stating that he could furnish the iron for this
road & that it could be promptly completed if the QMaster's Dept.
would advance $450,000 to be returned in transportation. I replied as
follows: "The importance of the R. Road referred to is fully recognized
by this Dept. & the money will be advanced if that is the only
obstacle to its completion. But Genl. Gilmer, Chief of Engr. Bur. says
that all the iron East of the State of Miss. is needed to keep up main
lines that are needing repairs. Can the iron be procured from the
State of Miss?" Of course it will be a serious matter to advance
this sum of money when the Dept. is suffering from want of funds,
& its credit much impaired by having large debts unpaid; but I
still think the money might be furnish (if this Dept. has the right to
appropriate it to this purpose) with advantage to the Govt., if
there is no obstacle arising from want of labor, materials or tools.
As I considered the iron the first & most important question to be
settled, I did not further discuss the question of funds than to
express the opinion that they could be furnished at the proper time. |
| Before appropriating funds to
this object, I would certainly first ask for the order or sanction of
the Sect. of War, if he felt authorized to give it. This Dept. has no
"easts," nor has it provided any tools for building
Railroads, as they have heretofore been supplied for that purpose by
the Engineer Bureau. The calls for "animals" are so constant
& pressing, to supply the armies in the field & keep up the
supplies in the rear that nothing can be promised with any degree of
certainty. But of course, no effort would be spared to give assistance
in that way, if this work is commenced. |
| A. R. Lawton, Q. M. G. |
|