| C. S. A. War Department |
| Richmond, Va March 23/65 |
| |
| Gov. Z. B. Vance |
| Raleigh N. C. |
| |
| I requested Major Foote to confer with
you fully about change of guage east of Salisbury {this
would be the North Carolina RR}. Under the late law I may be
compelled to take possession of some of the roads and increase the
rolling stock to secure supplies. I will agree to restore old guage
as soon as the emergency is past. Please consider as the matter is
urgent. |
| John C. Breckenridge |
| Secy of War |
| |
| Sent by telegram |
| {The intent was to allow the
refugee rolling stock from Georgia and South Carolina to be used
from just north of Columbia (and farther south as the track was
repaired) up to Richmond. The only problem was the guage of the
North Carolina RR from Charlotte to Greensboro and the Piedmont RR
from Greensboro to Danville. Since this telegram only mentions the
Salisbury to Greensboro section, I assume the lower and upper
sections were already being changed to the required guage.} |
|