NA, W&A 2/9/1865

Richmond Va. Feb. 9th 865

 

Lt Col F. W. Sims Chief Rail Rd Bureau
 
Sir,
   I have the honor to enclose herewith an account against the Confederate States for engines and cars destroyed at Atlanta by military orders on the 1st of September 1864, amounting to the sum of six hundred and twelve thousand and five hundred dollars.
   The claim is supported by extracts from the record of a court of enquiry ordered by General Hood, to investigate the losses which then occurred which record is now on file in the Judge Advocates Office & other extracts herewith shown are certified by Maj ???. From this record it appears by evidence taken under oath that the cars and engines lost on that occasion were in the service of the Government, & were subject to military order, -- that the officers in charge were responsible for their detention in the city until too late to remove them & that they were destroyed by military order.
   The claim is further supported by a paper showing an assessment of value made by E Crockett, Master Machinist, M&W R Rd & three other competent men familiar with the subject matter & I believe from your knowledge of Rail Rd property you will agree with me in saying that the estimate is a very low one. I take this occasion to remark that the Road submits to a settlement at those figures in the belief that the amount will be promptly paid, to me on my present visit to the City of Richmond. Any considerable delay & inflation in the currency may render it proper for the State which is the sole proprietor of the W&A RR to depart from that estimate.
   There is a wide distinction between this case and the ordinary one of property destroyed by the enemy or by our own army from military necessity. We had four engines of the W&A RRd & 40 cars burned by Stoneman's raid below Macon in August last. About them I say nothing. But here the Engines & cars were placed at the point of danger not in regular course of business but bt military order & authority as much so as a wagon & team of mules similarly circumstanced, which loss is in every sense both legal and equitable the act & the deed & the fault of the officers in charge, for which the Government is clearly responsible, & I cannot think that the Department will hesitate to pay.  
I have the honor to be Colonel
Very Respectfully ???
Geoe Hillying Auditor
W&A RR
 
Office W&A RR
Augusta Ga Jan 10th 1865
Confederate States
To Western & Atlantic RR
Sept 1st 1864 For engines (3) & cars (19) destroyed at Atlanta by military orders detailed statement of which estimate of value is herewith furnished $612,000 00
 
Macon, Ga Sep 12th 1864
Confederate States of America
To Western & Atlantic R. R.
For the following Engines and cars burned in Atlanta by order of Genl Hood Comdg on the night of Sept 1st 1864

Engine

General

Value

$200,000

 

"

 Missouri

"

$200,000

 

"

Etowah

"

$70,000

 
       

$470,000

         
Freight cars numbers 448, 1121, 627, 298, 208, 64, 389, 270, 155, 260, 1007, 1161, 101, 1123, 1171, 110, 258, 1045
        Total  18
   

Express & passenger car

             1
                   19 cars
         
  3 Engines   $470,000  
  19 cars Vale each $7,500   142,500  
       

$613,500

We the undersigned Certify that we were acquainted with the Engines and Cars mentioned in the above account, that we are acquainted with the value of Engines & cars, and believe that the price estimated for the Engines and cars in the above account is a just and true value of the same.
  E. Crockett MM W. & A. R. R.
Sunt A. Knight Fm Car Shop
F. H. Alley M. C.& W. R. R. (W. & A. R. R.)
Thos ??? M. M. & W. R. R. 

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