NA, RRB 7/21/1863

Richmond July 21st 1863
 
Col J. F. Gilmer
Chief of Engineer Bureau
 
Colonel,
   The mode of disbursing money under our commission and of fixing responsibility, are matters of such great importance, that it is necessary to have a general rule.
   It appears from II of Genl. order No 85, that we have the power of impressing being appointed by yourself the Chief of the Engineer Bureau for that purpose.
   It appears from the second section of the act of Congress published in Genl orders No 37 that the officer or person impressing property shall pay for it.
   But it appears to us to be an unnecessary risk, to send money to all the points where we have work to do. The agents who we select to execute the work, are not always the kind of persons, we would select to disburse money. It would be better for the actual disbursements to be made by an officer, who has given bond and security.
   If consistent with your views the following plan is suggested
1st That you ask for the authority to the Quartermaster of the most convenient post to pay the expenses of taking up and removing the Iron when requested by us to do so.
2d That the value of the whole Iron and the other materials taken yup be paid to the proper parties in the City of Richmond upon our certificate. When one of us near the scene of operations, we can pay the money ourselves. All money paid out by any Quartermaster can be refunded by the Engineer Bureau to the proper department in Richmond.
Very Resp Your obt Servant
Chas F. M. Garnett
Commissioner
 
Engineer Bureau
July 31st 1863
Respectfully Recommended
the Hon Sec of War for Approval
J. F. Gilmer
Col of Engineer Chf of Bureau
 
Qr Mar Generals Office
August 3d 1863
All Quartermasters will upon the certificate of Col C. F. M. Garnett and Captain Walker of the Engineer Corps, or either of them pay such bill as may be presented for expenses incurred in taking up Iron &c, as referred to in the annexed paper.
A. C. Myers
Qr Mr General

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