| Confederate States of America |
| Adjutant General's Department |
| Rail Road Bureau |
| July 10th 1863 |
| |
| Genl. S. Cooper |
| A & I Genl. |
| Richmond Va |
| |
|
General, |
| I respectfully ask you
attention to this accompanying letter from H. M. Drane Supt W & M R Road
{Wilmington & Manchester RR} of No. Ca.
beseeching the detail of Private Benj. Bates, Capt. S. R. Buntings
Battery, by trade a Machinist to work on his road. |
| The difficulties surrounding
the prompt transportation of troops and freight is a source of continual
complaint and frequently of serious apprehension. It can be obviated to
a great extent if the details are made of men to repair the machinery of
roads now worked down by constant use. At the beginning of the war the
managers of rail roads were apprehensive that the destruction of
commerce involved the destruction of their business and consequently
favored the enlistment of their employees in order that their expenses
might be reduced and the country served at the same time. Hence a large
majority of the mechanics of the country were absorbed by the army. The
wants of the Gov't falsified the anticipated destruction of business on
rail roads and we now find them in a greater demand than ever and with
the men competent to keep up their machinery in the ranks of our army.
It is useless to enlarge upon so important a subject as our
transportation. The deficiencies which have been apparent cannot fail to
impress every one of the vital necessity of improving it, and it is to
be hoped that the few details so persistently requested will not be
refused. If they are, the Government must be prepared for the
contingency of even a more inefficient transportation than we have now,
and I beg that in the event of a refusal the Government will relieve the
Railroad companies of the aspersions which will inevitably be cast upon
them. |
| I am General |
| Very Respectfully |
| Your Obt Servt |
| F. W. Sims |
| Capt & A. A. G. |
| |
| {on back of document} |
| Respy referred thru Genl Lee to Comdg
officer Burtins Arty |
| By command Secy of War |
| H. L. Clay |
| A. A. G. |
| July 15/63 |
| |
| Buntings Battery is near Kinstin N. C.
under Command Genls Martin & Whiting. |
| Hd. Qrs Dept Richmond |
| Respy forwarded to Maj. Genl. W. H. C.
Whiting. |
| Arnold Elzey |
| Maj. Genl. |
| |
| Hd. Qrs. Dept. of N. C. |
| Wilmington July 26/63 |
| Respy referred to Company Commander through
Brig Genl. Martin |
| By Comd Maj Genl Whiting |
| Jas ??? |
| Maj & A. A. G. |
| |
| Camp of W. H. Arty. |
| July 29th 1863 |
| The company being short of men, and the man
applied for to be detailed is one of my Gunners, and it is impossible to
spare him. |
| T. Y. Southerland |
| Capt & Comdg W. H. A. |
| |
| Hd Qrs Kinston July 29, 1863 |
| Respectfully forwarded |
| G. Martin |
| Brig Genl |