| Office Gen Supt W & M RR
{Wilmington & Weldon RR} |
| Wilmington NC Oct 25, 1864 |
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Brig Gen A. R. Lawton |
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Quartermaster General |
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Richmond Va |
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General, |
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I beg leave respectfully to enquire what action the
Government proposes to take with this Co under General Orders No 77
recently concerns working the details made by the Secretary of War.
I would with due deference remark that it is impossible to dispense
with the services of this call of our employees, and answer the
calls for Transportation. I am willing to do military duty if those
in authority deem it best for us to do so; or if they so decide, we
will continue to attend to the needs of the country in the matter of
Transportation. We will most cheerfully do either, but are unable to
do both. The present Act of Congress allowing by exemption one man
to the mile is not sufficient to enable a road to be kept up and
properly worked. In fact congress must have been more or less under
this impression ??? of its giving the President the right to make
details of ??? in this Act ??? & beyond those specifically provided
for. The detailed men our road have are absolutely necessary for us
and we cannot dispense with their services and keep up & work this
Road. I with this in view of the fact that ??? ??? been called on to
return a list of our employees of all classes & to solicit your
friendly intercession that you deemed this road of sufficient
importance to warrant it I have written you direct rather than
through Col Sims as I learn he is absent from Richmond and I
perceive an immediate action will be taken. With great respect |
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Your obt svt |
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Henry M Drane |
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Gen Supt |
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