| Office, Inspg Engr of RRds |
| Houston June 2d 1864 |
| |
|
Brig Genl J. E. Slaughter
|
| Chf of Staff |
| |
| Genl, |
|
I would respectfully ask that in order to enable me the
more thoroughly to discharge the duties devolving on me as Inspg Engr
of RRds that the following or some such order be issued viz
|
| 1st All applications for details of men for Rail
Road purposes or any communication on Rail Road matters intended for
these Hd Quarters must be directed to Cap E L Heriot Inspg Engr of
RRds who will forward them through the proper channels with his endorsement. |
| 2d The several Rail Road Co's in this Dept are
requested to furnish Capt Heriot once a month a list of all the men in
their Employ, showing their condition, Employment &c. |
| The details of the men in the Employ of
any company failing to comply with this order, will be revoked and the
men returned to their commands. |
| It some time happens, that after I have
refused to approve an application for the purchase of material from
the Ordnance Dept, Qr Masters Dept &c, or for the detail of a
Soldier, that attempts are made by direct application to Head Quarters
to obtain what I have declined to recommend; my action being
predicated upon actual knowledge of the wants of the Several RRoad
Companies. I never approve any application for the detail of a
Soldier, till I have first decided, that he really possesses the
mechanical skill stated in the application, and that his Services are
absolutely necessary, and that efforts have been made to fill the
place by some party Exempt from Military duty. |
| I would further state that there are
detailed Soldiers now in the Service of RRoad Co's in this Dept who
have been obtained without my knowledge or approval, thus depriving me
of the means of furnishing the proper information, when called for. |
| Very Respy Yours |
| E L Heriot |
| Capt & Inspg Engr of RRds |