NA, SWR 8/3/1861

President's Office
East Tennessee & Georgia Railroad Company
Knoxville, Tenn. Augt. 3d 1861
 
Hon. L. Pope Walker
Secty. at War Richmond Va
 
Dear Sir,
   This company has in good faith day and night labored hard and constant to send forward troops, munitions of war and provisions, neither of which have yet been detained by this Co. This has been done as you are aware through and enemies country and with armed guards on every mile of the road. A worse enemy than the Lincolnites are now upon us, one that we can neither fight or control. Commanders of troops, generally officers of low grades, in command of small detachments assume to control our engine runners with the bayonet and pistol, causing useless detentions and dangerous collisions, two such have allready occurd. No kind of necessity exists for such conduct and unless you can immediately issue an order that will prevent it in the future, you will free us to abandon the road and leave you in Military possession. We can not keep men at work to run a road under such petty despotism, their lives being constantly in danger while trying to discharge their duty with fidelity. Please act promptly.
Fly yours
C. Wallace
Prest.

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