OR, Series 1, Vol. 12, Pt 3, Page 937

Office of the Provost-Marshal of Alleghany
August 20, 1862
 
Secretary of War
 
   On May 18 last the Yankees burned the bridge across the Cow Pasture River, since which time trains have ceased to ran on the Virginia Central Railroad west of Staunton. As the attorney of the company I have urged the rebuilding of the bridge at once, but the company declines, not knowing what the fortunes of war may be or how soon the bridge, if built, may be destroyed again. The Yankees have fallen back from Meadow Bluff beyond the Sewells, and the Government must drive them beyond the Kanawha Salt-Works, as it is indispensable the us to have the salt; and, if so, the very sinews of our strength, the very arteries of the existence of our army when it moves from Monroe to Greenbrier, on the Kanawha road, is the Central Railroad, for the Government has just completed and put in good order the road from River Depot to Lewisburg; the Yankees have from Lewisburg to Gauley. I have seen the engineer of the Central, who says that a good temporary bridge can be put up in one month, and I write to advise that you order it at once. If you think the advice is of a doubtful character, then, with the maps of the State before you, I am content for you to decide it.
I am, truly,
W. Skeer
Provost-Marshal of Alleghany and Comdg. Post at Covington
P. S. -- H. D. Whitcomb, esq., superintendent of the Virginia Central Railroad, at Richmond, could give you probable cost and time within which a temporary bridge might be built.

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