| Articles of agreement between the
Government of the Confederate States of America, and the Richmond
& York River Railroad Company, witnessth; that whereas the bridge
belonging to the said Company across the Chickahominy River was
destroyed by the enemy on his recent retreat from before the city of
Richmond, and it is important for the military operations of the said
Government that the same shall be speedily rebuilt; and the said
company having at command the necessary material and labor to commence
and complete the reconstruction at an early day, fears to risk the
expense inasmuch as the enemy is not yet expelled from our borders,
and may perchance again destroy the same or, it may again be destroyed
by our own forces, the said Government agrees that in the event the
same shall be again destroyed by the enemy, or by our own authorities
within twelve months from date, to reimburse the said Company in any
expense it may incur in the reconstruction thereof, provided the same
does not exceed the sum of three thousand five hundred dollars, and
thereafter the said Company undertakes on its part to rebuild the said
bridge in such manner as to answer all the purposes of the said
Government, as a Railroad bridge, and to have the same completed and
ready for use on or before the 27th day of July Instant. |
| Signed this 17 day of July 1862 on the part of the said
Government by S Ast Mr Imetto {?}
Act. f QM Genl. |
| Signed this 17th day of July 1862 on the part of the
said Company by Alex. Dudley President Richmond & York River Rail
Road Co. |
| |
| {Endorsements on the reverse.} |
| Respectfully referred to Head Quarters for the action
of the Bureau Commanding before consenting to agreement. |
| ????????? |
| A. Q. M. Genl.QM General's office |
| 16th July 62 |
| |
| Hd Qrs 17 July '62 |
| I do not consider the bridge over the
Chickahominy important at this time to the operations of this Army. I
do not know what may be the wants of the QMr Dept., but if it serves
the Convenience of the Community would assent to its construction. R.
E. Lee Gen. |
| |
| For Mr. Dudley Presdt R. & Y. R. R. R. Co. |
| This agreement is made not only on account
of the benefit to the community but to the Govt: several damaged
locomotive engines are beyond the destroyed bridge their recovery
would many times repay the expense & they can only be recovered by
using the bridge. |
| Sas??Guitto |
| AQMGenl. |