C. S. A. War Department
| Richmond, Feb. 6th 1862 |
| |
| H. D. Bird, Esqr. |
| Superintendent South Side R. R. |
| Petersburg, Va. |
| |
| Sir, |
| In reply to your letter of the 4th inst.
applying for the discharge or furlough of certain privates, the
Secretary of War directs me to say, that he can{not}
grant discharges from the Confederate Army unless substitutes are
furnished. |
| Respectfully |
| A. T. Bledsoe |
| Chief Bureau of War |
|