OR, Series 1, Vol. 18, Page 766

Navy Department, C. S. A., Richmond, November 4, 1862
 
His Excellency Zebulon B. Vance
Governor of North Carolina
 
Sir,
   Commander Cooke, sent by me to North Carolina to obtain iron for plating the gunboats being built in and for the defense of the State, has returned without having accomplished this object. He reports that you have the control of a quantity of railroad iron, and I therefore address myself to you upon the subject.
   To enable the boats to resist the guns of the enemy their armor must be at least 4 inches thick, placed at an angle of at least 36°. This armor, from the limited power of our mills, we are compelled to roll into plates 2 by 7 inches and 10 feet long, and to put them on the vessels in two courses.
   If you will let the Department have the rails, and facilitate its transportation to Richmond, they will be immediately rolled into plates for the vessels in question and for such other defenses as we may build in the waters of your State.
   Commander Cooke will remove the iron if you consent to its transfer, and will arrange the compensation according to his instructions.
Please telegraph your reply.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. R. Mallory
Secretary of the Navy

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