| War Department, C. S. A. |
| Richmond, Va., July 9, 1864 |
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| General R. E. Lee |
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| General,
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| I had the honor to receive
yesterday your telegram advising that the Danville road {Richmond
& Danville RR} should be taken possession of, repaired,
and operated by the Department, and have preferred replying by
letter, which allows better explanation than could be given by
telegram. The best spirit and most liberal disposition exists on the
part of the president and directors of the Danville road to
co-operate with the Government, but you are right in supposing they
could not unaided effect the prompt reparation of their road. Not
only, therefore, with their own consent but on their invitation the
work of repair has been practically assumed and is being earnestly
pressed. Without the loss of an hour after it was known the enemy
had left Burkeville (while they were still in their career of
devastation along the line) orders were given and engineers and
laborers dispatched to begin the work of reparation. All the means
and resources of the railroad company are placed at the command of
the Department, but the work is being carried on by the engineers of
the Government and by the troops and laborers furnished by it.
General Gilmer himself is at the further extremity pressing the work
and directing operations generally. I have ordered without
hesitation impressment, as well as appeals to the farmers for
laborers, teams, timber, and all other necessary agencies, and have
instructed all agents that the full measure of the power and means
of the Department must be used to complete the work at the earliest
practicable time. Owing to the nature of the strap-rail, the
combustible character of the pine sills, increased by the heat and
dryness of the season, and the facilities afforded by the adjoining
fences, the work of destruction was far more thorough and extensive
than has usually been possible on such raiding expeditions. You will
find an accurate account of the means of destruction adopted in the
Examiner of this morning. Despite of all exertions that can be made
I fear some two weeks may yet elapse before the re opening, but
every effort will be made to shorten the time. Meanwhile a portage
of supplies by wagons will be established. A most expert
quartermaster is now on the line to effect this portage. Your army
shall be provided if, as I doubt not, it be possible. |
| Very respectfully, yours, |
| James
A. Seddon |
| Secretary of War |
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