| Executive Department |
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Tallahassee May 21st 1863 |
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Brig Genl Joseph Finegan |
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Lake City |
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General, |
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I have received your esteemed favor of the 12th inst, and
immediately upon its reception forwarded a copy of it to Secretary of
War. While enjoying the immunities of Peace, none would have been more
opposed than I to any interference with the rights of the Florida R. R.
Company. In my humble judgment, no road in the State would have
contributed ultimately, more to the prosperity of the State as
one of the United States. But the separation of the States having
unexpectedly caused war, a wonderful and fearful change in our political
relations has ensued. A change which threatens Florida and her Sister
States with subjugation, unless the citizens of the Southern States,
shall promptly and cordially yield to the exigencies of the impending
war, whatever is, or may be, necessary to our defence. The superior
naval force, and the excessive numbers of the Enemy, demand the use of
all our means for the concentration and support of Troops. |
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I am of the opinion, that the iron from Camp Cooper to
Fernandina and from Gainesville to Cedar Keys, should be appropriated to
extend the Pensacola & Georgia R. Road from Quincy to Chattahoochee, and
also to connect the P&G Rail Road with the Albany & Gulf R. Road. If
insufficient for the extension and connection, the iron on the R. Road
leading from this place to St Marks should also be used, and the surplus
of iron applied to the finishing of the Gunboat. The extension to
Chattahoochee, or the connection between the two roads, would afford the
means of transportation for the iron needed to finish the boat and also,
would enable the Planters and Stock owners of Florida to contribute
materially to support of our armies in other States. Moreover, would
secure the means of transportation for troops, guns and munitions of war
for the better defence of East Florida, and, other part of the
State. I know no reason why the troops you have near Fernandina and
Cedar Keys cannot be subsisted, without the iron on the part of the road
alluded to, a larger number of troops in this Military District have
been supplied by waggons hauling forage and subsistence, a much greater
distance, than would be necessary to haul to support the forces you have
near Fernandina, and at Cedar Keys. I cannot conceive therefore, why the
use of the part of the road alluded to can be indispensably necessary
for the defence of your Military District, nor why, "the removal of the
iron could be construed only as a prelude to the abandonment of East
Florida to the enemy." But, I can imagine how the enemy, with their
superior force may take possession of the Florida Rail Road, and use it,
in co-operation with forces from the St. Johns River for the subjection
of East Florida; and I apprehend it is their purpose, and that you have
not the force to prevent their taking possession of the Florida R. Road,
and consequently, that, your means of defence would be greatly improved
by the removal of the iron from the part of the road indicated. If our
means are not sufficient to extend the road from Quincy to
Chattahoochee, and also to connect the Pensacola & Georgia R. Road with
the Alban & Gulf rail road. I prefer the road to be extended, rather
than, the connection to be made; for, the reasons assigned in a
message on the subject to the General Assembly of the State, which
message you have read. The Confederate Government is willing to pay a
just price for the iron, and I believe under the circumstances, that not
only the state at large would be benefitted, but that the interest of
the Stockholders would be promoted, by the appropriation of the iron to
the purposes for which it is described by the Government. |
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I have the honor to be |
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Respectfully |
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John Milton |
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Govr of Florida |
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