|
Confederate States of America
|
| War Department |
| Richmond Va August 29, 61 |
| |
| Col A. C. Myers |
| Actg Qr Mr Genl |
| |
| Sir: |
| Your letter of August 23 enclosing report of Mr
Thos R. Sharp Agent &c for the Quarter masters department, and
submitting recommendations based thereon, is received and a letter
relating to the same general subject has been received from Mr W L
Clark President of the Winchester & Potomac RR Co. |
| In compliance with your suggestions, you
are directed to order the transportation of the RR Iron, Telegraph
wire &c referred to, to Winchester immediately for safe keeping.
So much of the RR Iron &c thus secured as may be immediately
necessary to relay the track of the Winchester & Potomac RR may be
disposed of to this company, for that purpose to be paid for in the
manner proposed by Mr Clark provided it be satisfactorily
stipulated, that no delay in the transportation of troops, munitions
&c in consequence thereof, and that the work shall be completed
within a specified time, the contract thus entered into to be subject
to the approval of this Department. |
| The department is not willing with only
the information at present in its possession to enter upon the
construction of the proposed military Road from Winchester to the
Manassas Gap RR would be glad however to receive further information
on the subject. |
| You will please inform Dr M S Morris Prest
of the Southern Telegraph Co at Richmond of the existence of this
telegraph wire & materials at Winchester so that it may be made
available for the construction of military telegraphs in different
parts of the company as required. |
| The commandant of the Military Forces at
Winchester is fully authorized to furnish all requisite military
protection to your agent in the prosecution of his work as he may deem
most expedient. |
| Respectfully |
| L. P. Walker |
| Secretary of War |
| {Also found in Official Records,
Series 1, Vol. 51, Part 2, Page 258} |