| Engineers Office |
| Houston Oct 17th 1863 |
|
|
| E. P. Turner |
| Capt & A. A. G. |
| |
|
Capt
|
| I enclose you a communication from the
Suptd of the Texas & New Orleans Rail Road Co received at this
office on the 15th inst. |
| The statements therein made, are in the
main strictly true, but with the resources at my command, I am totally
unable to devise a plan by which the difficulties therein complained
of, as well as those embarrassing all the other roads in this
department, are to be overcome. |
| The Superintendents of the Several roads
are generally attentive to their duties, but their executive officers,
are frequently too deeply absorbed in their private affairs, to guard
strictly the interests of the corporations over which they preside. |
| In the majority of instances, the roads
have been but imperfectly constructed, with an amount of rolling stock
and machinery totally inadequate for its repair. |
| During the past two years it has been
impossible to supply this deficiency, and without some system of
repairs be inaugurated under the control of the military authorities a
few months more, will find these roads totally unserviceable. |
| The great scarcity of material for the
repair of rolling stock, necessarily involves a larger amount of
mechanical labor, than would have otherwise been required. |
| The mechanics who were formerly in the
service of the several railroad companies, who are now so much
needed, being men of character and energy were the first who
volunteered in the regiments of Artillery and Cavalry raised in this
State, and I have invariably found the details asked for by the
several railroad companies, embrace nine times out of ten, men in the
ranks f one or the other of these Corps, and beyond the reach of
detail. |
| Again since the organization of the
militia, some of the most valuable mechanics are in the ranks of that
Cavalry, and these are also beyond my reach, and I feel that as each
day the demand for mechanics becomes more urgent, so my ability to
obtain them becomes less. |
| In the daily working of these roads, there
are many abuses and neglects in the minor details of their duty, which
impairs their usefulness for Govt purposes, but not understanding to
what extent it was desired that my authority should extend, I have in
these cases, simply pointed out the errors, with a view to their
correction, but regret to state, that but in few instances have my
suggestions been productive of any good results. |
| Before closing this communication, I would
respectfully suggest, that in view of the great importance of rail
road transportation to our army, that a ____ number of machinists
& carpenters be taken from the army or militia and kept solely for
work upon railroads under direction of the Insp'g Engineer. They to be
sent from road to road, as their services are required, the roads
paying for their services. |
| I would further suggest, that an order be
issued to the following effect |
| In consequence of the continual change of
detailed men from Railroads Foundries &c outside of Govt
Departments, therefore it is ordered, that any man detailed by his own
consent to any Railroad Machine Shop Foundry or other purpose outside
of the Govt Departments, will not be redetailed to any other Railroad
&c except under an urgent military necessity and should any man
leave the Employment for which he was detailed, he will at once return
to his Company, or be treated as a deserter. {In
the margin beside this paragraph is written: This order will be
issued} |
| As this trouble has been caused by one
Railroad, Foundry &c out-bidding the other, it is ordered, that a
uniform rate per day shall be established between the several
Railroads Foundries &c and in no case to be changed Except by
mutual consent, to be approved by the Maj Genl Commanding. |
| And I further suggest that a strict Guard
be kept on all the river bridges on the Texas & New Orleans RRoad
and on the BBB&C Rail Road {Buffalo Bayou,
Brazos & Colorado RR} from this city to Alleyton. |
| Very Respy Your Obt Servt |
| E. L. Heriot |
| Capt & Inspctg Engr R. Rds |