| Confd States Quarter Master Dept. |
| Rail Road Bureau |
| Richmond April 1, 1864 |
| |
| Dr W J Hawkins
{President, Raleigh & Gaston RR} |
| Raleigh N. C. |
| |
| Dear Sir, |
| My application for the men
engaged in the Iron company was endorsed "detail for 60 days" and has
today gone to the Conscript Bureau where the order will be carried out.
At a subsequent interview with the Honble Sec of War when I endeavored
to get a detail "until further notice" re plied that the details would
be renewed as long as the parties were known to be engaged in
prosecuting the business of manufacturing iron, but he must take the
precaution of making short details in order that when they ceased to be
connected with the business in some active manner they could be ordered
into Camp. I asked him if I could assure the parties that they would not
be disturbed so long as they pursued this business and he answered, yes. |
| I think under these assurances
you can safely proceed and all that I ask is that the whole energies of
your company may be thrown into this work. |
| I am Sir Very Respy |
| F. W. Sims |
| Lt Col & QM |
|