Hdqrs. Dept. South Carolina, Georgia, and
Florida
| Charleston, S. C., October 10, 1863 |
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| Lieut. Col. A. L. Rives |
| Actg. Chief of Engineer Bureau, Richmond, Va. |
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Colonel,
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| Herewith I send a letter to the
honorable Secretary of War, in reference to the increased importance
of making the Blue Mountain Railroad connection, now that we are
deprived of any supply of coal or iron from the vicinity of
Chattanooga. Is it possible to get iron for the 59 miles? The
advantages of this connecting link have been so fully discussed,
that I need not dwell on them here. The necessity for an increased
supply of iron, coal, etc., is upon us. What can we do to get them
from Middle and Northern Alabama?
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| Confer with Colonel St. John, and advise
jointly with the Secretary of War. |
| You will, as acting chief of the bureau,
please to present to the Secretary of War, for promotion, the names
embraced in my private note (written a few days ago) and ask for
early action. As to A. S. Gaines' appointment, do not make the
recommendation until you hear further from me. Cannot Captain
Robinson, recently from England, be appointed on the commission for
collecting railroad iron? An efficient, well-tried officer should be
assigned to the duty.
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| If you did not receive my telegram in time to
send two pedometers by Mrs. Gilmer, please to send them by first
opportunity. We much need the 400 spades, 100 axes, and other tools
last applied for. They have not yet been received.
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| I am, respectfully, your obedient servant |
| J. F. Gilmer |
| Major-General, Chief of Engineer Bureau |
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| [Inclosure] |
| Charleston, S. C., October 10, 1863 |
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| Hon. James A. Seddon |
| War Department, Richmond, Va. |
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| Sir: Since the occupation of Chattanooga by
the enemy we have no longer access to the coal and iron in that
vicinity, and the necessity is upon us to struggle for an increased
supply from other sources.
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| Middle and Northern Alabama afford both in
large quantities, if they can be gotten out. Want of transportation
is the greatest difficulty.
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| Under existing circumstances, it becomes a
serious question whether the Government should not do everything
possible to complete the railroad connection between Rome, Ga., and
Blue Mountain, Ala., with a view to securing two outlets from the
mineral districts of Alabama. All the coal and iron from that
section have now to be brought to Selma, and from that point sent by
river to Montgomery, thence to West Point, where there is a break of
gauge, before it can reach Atlanta, Macon, Augusta, or any other
important work shops. This involves transshipment at Selma, at
Montgomery, and again at West Point. The distance from Blue Mountain
to Atlanta, via Selma, Montgomery, and West Point, is 405 miles, of
which about 100 miles are on the Alabama River. From Blue Mountain
to Atlanta, by Rome, the distance will be 139 miles, with no break
of gauge or transshipment, if the 59 miles of connection can be
finished.
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| The two things especially wanted by Judge
Walker, the president of the Alabama and Georgia Railroad {Alabama
& Tennessee River Railroad}, are iron to lay the track
and transportation of provisions from Southwestern Georgia and other
points, to feed his hands. Can the Government aid him and meet the
other pressing wants of the country and army? Fifty-nine miles of
railroad iron will be difficult to obtain. The only sources of
supply for so large an amount would seem to be the Florida railroads
and the Mississippi Central. If the country can be held and the
bridge rebuilt over the Pearl River at Jackson, a considerable
quantity of iron could be obtained from the last-named road, to be
used for the Blue Mountain connection, or for our much worn main
lines of road.
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| This question should receive prompt and
earnest attention from Colonel Garnett and the other member of the
commission for collecting iron from railroads.
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| I will direct Lieutenant-Colonel Rives, Acting
Chief of Engineer Bureau, to confer with Lieutenant-Colonel St.
John, Chief of Niter and Mining Bureau, and, with him, to take such
steps in the matter now presented as may be possible.
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| With high respect, your obedient servant |
| J. F. Gilmer |
| Major General, and Chief of Engineer Bureau |
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