NA, RRB 10/22/1863

Office Insptg Engr R. Rds
Houston 22d Oct 1863
 
Maj B Bloomfield
Ch Qr Mr &c
 
Maj,
   I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 19th inst and in reply be leave to state, that I have been unable to do any thing toward the repair of the Washington County (Brazos) Rail Road bridge. For the reason, that I cannot control the services of a single mechanic, or have I been able to obtain any of the tools or machinery necessary for this purpose.
   Whether the bridge is susceptible of temporary repairs or whether it will have to be taken down and reconstructed. I can not decide until I can survey the work with competent carpenters.
   I will here state, that the heavy transportation over the roads during the past two months, has so severely taxed the small amount of "rolling stock" at their command that they are now altogether unreliable and that I have applications made to me daily for mechanics to repair them, but have not been able to furnish them, because, I have not been able to obtain them by detail, and they are all in the ranks of the army. Unless some very rigorous measures be at once adopted for the repair of the rolling stock in the state it will be totally unserviceable before the winter is over.
   I have been able with the negroes furnished by the "Labor Bureau", to materially improve the tracks of all the roads, but having failed to obtain the requisite numbers of mechanics, either by detail or otherwise, I am unable to meet the demands for repairs, caused by deterioration from daily use. Still less: am I able to improve, the general bad condition of all the "rolling stock in the state". I beg leave to refer you to a communication on this subject I had the honor to address to the Maj Gen Comdg on the 16th inst, now in the hands of Capt Turner A. A. G. I there suggested that a sufficient number of mechanics be placed at the command of the Insp. Engr for work upon the several roads as their necessities may require. And I would here further suggest that upon failure on the part of the Rail Road Companies, to avail themselves of the permission granted by the Maj Gen Comdg to import tools and materials. That in view of the scarcity of these articles, that the Government for its own protection should at once take steps to have brought into the state such machinery tools &c as may be necessary to keep the rail roads in working order. Without, I have some authority to compel the roads to keep their machinery in repair I fear they will not do so and would suggest that the Maj Gen Comdg be requested to issue an order on this subject.
   Again referring you to my report of the 16th inst to Maj Gen Magruder
I have the honor to be
Your obt Svt
E. L. Heriot
Capt & Inspg Engr R. R.
Aug 2/63
 
Office Chf Qr Mr dist of Texas
Houston, Tex. Oct 22d 1863
   Respectfully referred to Capt E. P. Turner A. A. Genl for the information of the Major Genl Commanding, with a copy of my Letter to Capt Heriot, referred to by him in this report, and with the remark that I first directed Capt Heriot to put the Washington Co RR Company Bridge in thorough and substantial repair on the 19th Septr. Since then I have received ??? communication from him on the subject, till now.
   I would respectfully suggest that every possible facility within the control of the Major Genl Commanding, should be granted to Capt Heriot, to proceed at once with the work, as it is of the utmost importance that this Bridge, and all work & repairs on Rail Roads & rolling stock pertaining to R. Roads should be done with the least delay possible.
   I would also (if allowed) respectfully suggest that a guard be placed at all important Bridges, on the line of Rail roads, within the dept.
Very Respectfully
B. Bloomfield
Major & Chief Q. M. dist of Texas &c

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