OR, Series 1, Vol. 34, Part 2, Page 1005

Headquarters District of West Louisiana
Alexandria, February 29, 1864
 
Brigadier-General Boggs
Chief of Staff
 
General,
   I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Captain Freret's communication on the subject of railroads and telegraphic wire. As there was not sufficient wire reported to make an independent line, no orders were given to remove it. I will have it sent to department headquarters as soon as possible. Measures were taken more than a year since to insure the destruction of the engines and cars on the Baton Rouge{, Grosse Tete & Opelousas} railroad whenever the enemy threatened a permanent occupation of that region. I carefully inspected the country between Livonia and Bayou Alabama last summer, with a view to removing this rolling stock, and was deterred making the attempt by the impassable swamp 5 miles in extent. At that time, too, I had entire control of the Atchafalaya, with steam-boats running on that stream and no danger of interruption by the enemy. The attempt will be made if the lieutenant-general commanding desires it. Instructions have been given to take to pieces carefully off the engines and tenders on the Monroe and Vicksburg {Vicksburg, Shreveport & Texas} Railroad and remove them to a safe point west of the Ouachita. The iron on that road was also ordered to be removed and can be sent to Shreveport, if necessary.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. Taylor
Major-General

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