|
On the Weldon R. R. 45 miles from Weldon & 115 from Wilmington |
| Septr 16th 1863 3 o'clock pm |
| |
| To Genl S. Cooper |
| Adjt & Inspr. Genl. |
| |
| Genl. |
| I deem it my duty to report through you to
the Secy of War the utter deficiency & neglect of transportation on this
R. Road. I was ordered to be ready at Rice's Station
{Richmond & Petersburg RR}, Monday the 14th
inst at 4 o'clock p.m. I notified the Rail Road Agent that I would
require transportation for 2500 Infantry and 67 horses. At 2 1/2 p.m.
the troops were at the station. The cars arrived at 5 1/2 p.m. and with
transportation enough for 1200 men only. These were forwarded to
Petersburg, the rest were left at the station, and it was not until 5
a.m. the 15th inst. that all reached that city. We were not started
thence until near 10 a.m., and there, too, transportation
{Petersburg RR} in the morning was
furnished for but 1200 men. The rest followed at 6 p.m. The 4th & 26th
Regmts which started at 10 a.m. passed Weldon last night, and I arrived
there with the 2d train at about 5 a.m. today. We were detained at
Weldon 5 hours, until 10 a.m. and reached where we are now broken down,
45 miles from Weldon {on the Wilmington & Weldon
RR}, at 2 1/2 p.m. inst. The Engineer very openly and in
generously confesses or avers that this is owing to willful and very
culpable neglect on the part of the chief machinist
{end of document in archives} |
| {on back of document} |
| Brig. Genl. Wise |
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| Respy sub. to Sec. War |
| Sept. 18/63 S. Cooper |
| |
| AG |
| Refer to Supt of RR Transportation for enquiry & a
report |
| By order |
| J A Campbell |
| 19 Sept 63 ASW |
| |
| Respy referred to Supt. RR Transportation for enquiry &
report |
| By Command Secy War |
| C H Lee |
| AAG |
| A&IGO |
| Sept 22/63 |
| |
| Rail Road Bureau |
| Richmond Oct 19/63 |
| Respectfully referred to Major J. D. Whitford for
examination and report. |
| F. W. Sims |
| Maj & QM |
|