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Adjt & Insper Genls Office |
| Richmond Augst 1 1862 |
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| Special Orders |
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No. 178 |
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***** |
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XVIII A Commission to consist of officers and civilians is hereby
instituted to enquire into, and report upon the Military rail road
transportation of the Confederate States. |
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Major E. E. McLean Quartermasters Dept. President |
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Captain E. T. D. Myers Engineer Capt Provisional Army |
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Captain M. Morfit Quartermasters Department |
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Captain R. H. Temple Nitre Corps |
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are detailed as members from the Army. |
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Messrs George Yonge of Georgia
{Superintendent, Georgia RR}, E. D. Frost of Mississippi
{Superintendent, Mississippi Central RR}
and J. D. Whitford of North Carolina {President,
Atlantic & North Carolina RR}, are hereby appointed and requested
to act as members of the commission. |
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Captain R. H. Temple will act as Recorder |
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The Commission will meet at Augusta Georgia on the 25th day
of August 1862, or as soon thereafter as possible and will continue its
sessions thereafter at such points as it may deem necessary. Vacancies
in the Commission will be filled by the presiding officer. |
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The Commission will proceed |
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1st To ascertain the maximum working capacity of the more
important trunk lines used by the Government -- quantity and quality of
rolling stock facilities for repairs, and all mechanical requirements
controlling transportation. |
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2nd To examine the connections and time tables of the trunk
lines, noting material changes of schedule, through which the present
frequent failures of connections may be avoided, and facilities for
transportation incurred. |
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3d To examine and through a rail road expert to register
the captured Engines, Cars and Machinery; and consider to what extent
this material can be transferred and utilized. |
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4th To consider the feasibility of changing the rail road
gauge from West Point Georgia to Montgomery Alabama, the connection west
of Selma, and the crossing of the Mississippi River. |
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5th To consider and report upon the accountability for
freight of the several roads, one to another, and to the Government. |
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Completing the necessary examination the Commission will
assemble at a time and place previously appointed, and on joint
consultation will report from time to time to the Secretary of War, and
finally submit a plan or plans for increasing the efficiency of the
present railway service of the Confederate States. |
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The Commission are empowered to call for papers and
information from rail road officers, who are expected and requested to
speak not only on the points above referred to, but upon rail road
affairs generally viz: the security of freight, care of sick and wounded
&c &c |
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The expenses of the Commission will be directed by the
presiding officer, with power to appoint Clerks or experts when
necessary. |
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By Command of Secretary of War |
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Jno. Withers |
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Asst. Agt. Genl. |
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{addressed to} |
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Mr J D Whitford |
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Also Major McLean |
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Spotswood Hotel |
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Richmond Va |