| Charleston, Novr 18th 1862 |
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| Adjutant General S. Cooper |
| Confederate States Army |
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| General, |
| I beg to place before you a
subject of very great importance to this and other Rail Road Companies
engaged to a similar extent in doing work for Government. It is one fact
growing into an evil from which disastrous results must inevitably arise
if something is not done and done at once to apply a remedy. Many of our
mechanics are quitting the service of this Company mainly induced by the
promise of higher wages in other quarters, in the face of the fact that
we have increased our rates of compensation and declared our intention
to continue to do so as the exigencies of the times may require. There
is not the slightest disposition upon our part to depreciate the value
of Mechanical talent & services for we are anxious to secure the best
and most reliable and are willing to compensate such liberally. My
principal object in addressing you is to request your intervention to
prevent if possible these desertions from our service except for good
cause shown. Several of those who have already left, were released from
Military duty at our especial instance and now repay us by accepting
offers from those whose positions to the Government are not at all
comparable to our own. Your action General, is very respectfully but
earnestly solicited in the matter, for without competent workmen in our
Mechanical Department particularly our Road must suffer severely, and
its ability to respond to the requisitions of the Government
consequently seriously diminished. |
| I am, General, with very great Respect |
| Yours &c |
| H T Peake Gen Supt |
| South Carolina Rl. Rd. |
|