| Confederate States of America |
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Navy Department |
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Richmond, April 17th 1863 |
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Hon James A Sedon |
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Secretary of War |
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Sir, |
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I propose to plat the pui(?) gun boat "Ponchartrain" at
Little Rock with rail road iron to operate in the Mississippi River, and
to do so it to procure mechanics from the army, as the officer who
commands the vessel informs me they cannot otherwise be found. |
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I have the honor therefore to request that the necessary
directions be given to Genl. Smith or other commanding officer in
Arkansas to detail such mechanics as Lieutenant J W Dumington may
require for this purpose. Their services will not probably be required
longer than three or four months. |
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I am respectfully |
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Your obt sev |
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S R Mallory |
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Secretary of the Navy |
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