| Richmond Augt 11 1864 |
| |
| Lt Col Richard Martin |
| Actg Chief Nit & M Bureau |
| |
| Colonel, |
| I beg leave to call the
attention thro you of the Hon Secy of War to the following statement of
facts. |
| Some time since impressed with
the necessity of making an extra effort for the development of the
resources of the Country, for the benefit of the RRd Cos and the
interests of the Confederacy, myself and some other gentlemen undertook
to secure sufficient capital to build and operate Iron Furnaces, Rolling
Miss, Foundry & Machine Shops on Deep river N. C. We found gentlemen
possessing the means who were willing to invest largely in this
enterprise, but wanted to get details that they might give their
personal efforts to the carrying out of the plans. |
| The details were promised to
them; they invested one million dollars, (ten men $100,000 each,) have
secured one Blast Furnace which is in operation, have a rolling mill
nearly completed and are about building another blast Furnace, Machine
Shops &c. |
| The detail of the men
composing the Company were ordered by the Hon Secy of War, but on
account of the delay of the officers of the Bureau three of the men were
in the mean time enrolled and ordered to Camp. |
| The Conscript Officer, when
the order of the detail of these men arrived, decided that they had
passed out of his jurisdiction. The Commd officer of the Regts to which
they had been assigned, as soon as he understood their position gave
them furloughs which will soon expire, and unless some action is taken
by the authorities here, they will be compelled to go into service. |
| This will be violation of
faith on the part of the Government as well as great imposition to the
men who have paid in their capital, and have fully fulfilled their part
of these agreements. |
| I beg leave respectfully to
ask that immediate application be made for the necessary orders
detailing these men, whose services are important to us and who are now
actually engaged in prosecuting the business of the Company. |
| I send herewith copy letter of
the 1st of April from Col F W Sims of the Rail Road Bureau addressed to
me at ----- Raleigh N. C. on this subject to which I beg leave to call
your attention. I also enclose list of names of the parties to be
detailed. |
| Very Respectfully |
| Your obt Servt |
| Wm J Hawkins |
| Prst |
| From Company |
| Raleigh N. C. |
| |
| {on attached paper} |
| Names of the men, their Cos &c whose detail
is asked for |
| John H Webb, Co C 40th N. C. Troops at
Wilmington |
| Wm McInnis "
" " "
" "
" |
| S. Van Amringe Co. G. 61st N. C. Troops
Petersburg |
| |
| {on back of document} |
| N&M Bureau |
| Aug 12/64 |
| The Company is now under contract with this
Bureau and reports from the inspecting officer represent them a
prosecuting their enterprize with energy. |
| Richard Mustin Lt Col |
| Acting Chf of Bu. |
| |
| Richmond Aug 15/64 |
| These details should be granted, as the men
were taken away from this work pending an application for their detail,
which was too late to prevent their being assigned to regts. They were
not in service when application was made
and under a promise of the Hon. Secy of War they invested in these iron
works. Good faith demands that the request should be granted. |
| F. W. Sims |
| Lt. Col. & Q. M. |
| |
| A. G. |
| Grant the details of the three men (now on
furlough) for sixty days as asked |
| 16th Augt 64 |
| JASeddon |
| Sey |