| C. S. A. War Dept. |
| Richmond, Va March 17, 1864 |
| |
| His Excellency Z. B. Vance |
| Governor of N. C. |
| Raleigh N. C. |
| |
| Sir, |
| I have received your letter of the 27th
ult. and regret to find there is any opposition to the appropriation
of the iron of the Wilmington, Charlotte & Rutherford Railroad
for the use of the Confederate States. The removal of the iron had
been duly considered by me, and I should not have sanctioned it, had
I not considered its use on other roads of more vital importance to
the Confederacy. |
| The removal of the iron will be
suspended for further investigation, but there are other roads in
your state from which efforts will be made to secure iron, and I
hope you will give all the aid in your power to the Confederate
States in this important matter. |
| My information derived from all the
officers having control of Railroad transportation, is that the
condition of the principal roads on which we mainly depend for our
supplies is very bad, and the necessity for iron to repair them at
an early day is imperative. The state of the roads is daily growing
worse and their wants more urgent. |
| Very Respectfully |
| Your obt svt |
| J. A. Seddon |
| Secretary of War |
|