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Transportation Office
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| Selma Ala Jan 21st 1865 |
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| Lt Col F. W. Sims Chief R Rd Bureau |
| Richmond Va |
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| Col., |
| Your endorsement with enclosed papers
received to day. I now discover that you are laboring under a mistake
as to the role of Genl Polk. The order under which Maj. Whitfield
acted was of date Feb 25th 1864, which has been with these papers,
since required by you all the time. The order issued by me
"By Command of Lt Genl Polk" of May 19th has no bearing at
all on the question upon which we wish to be instructed. The order by
me to Maj Hillyer was simply to get the iron laying out of his hands
and into the papers of the Auditing R R Qr Mr where the question would
be settled as to what amount of the iron (if any) was used for the repair
of the road and what amount was for their general purposes. You will
see by Maj Flemmings endorsement on the same 19th May order that the
road was repaired before he got the iron, and of course, if not
used on the repairs of the road the Govt is entitled to credit
for the cost of the iron. But that is not yet what I want. I wish it
decided who pays for the labor/??? & materials furnished by the
Govt under the order of Genl Polk of the 25th Feby 1864, and Genl
Maury of the 22d Feb 1864. Five miles iron has been paid for, some of
it by other Qr Mr on my certification. That the iron was necessary
& was used for the public service and when the proper authority,
stating the questions, then we will know what to say to auditors who
are pressing for th?? ??y. It will be a relief to know those we have
not done wrong in obeying Dpt Commanding to do a work of public
necessity. If it is decided that my course under Genl Polks direction
was illegal & also the amounts for which I have certified as
chargeable to me then I advise the Govt to look up my Security, for it
would be out of my power to pay this, or my disposition to try to do
so. |
| I am Col very respectfully |
| Your humble obt Servt |
| Thos Peters Qr Mr |
| In Charge of Transportation |
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| {on reverse of document} |
| Maj Thos Peters Qr Mr |
| In Charge of Transpt |
| Application for a decision as to who should pay
for rebuilding R Rds Govt or Rail Roads |
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| Feby 1, 1865 |
| Respy referred to Q. M. G. |
| F. W. Sims |
| Lt. Col. & C |
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