| Headquarters District of Lewisburg |
| Lewisburg, Va., February 14, 1862 |
| |
| Hon. J. P. Benjamin, Secretary of War |
| |
| Sir, |
| I beg leave to call your attention to
certain statements made to me in reference to improving the
navigation of the James and Jackson's Rivers from Buchanan to
Covington. I am informed by reliable persons that the capacity of
the Virginia Central Railroad for transportation is already greatly
diminished. This diminution must increase. The James River and
Kanawha Company agree, I am informed, to put these rivers in
condition for navigation if they can get $15,000 advanced to them by
the Government, to be deducted in tolls. |
| An army must be sent to this section of
the country very soon. The supplies are now hauled from Jackson's
River to this point. By completing bateau navigation to Covington I
have 9 miles less hauling, which alone will counterbalance the loan,
in addition to the great saving of expense in water over land
carriage. |
| By this arrangement an entirely new
country will be opened, from which I could draw a large amount of
supplies. Grain is already scarce in this section of the country.
Unless the James and Jackson's Rivers are made navigable up to
Covington, in addition to the transportation of commissary supplies,
ordnance, &c., over the Virginia Central Railroad, I will be
compelled to transport the heavy item of forage from counties
adjacent to the Virginia Central Railroad, when this forage should
go to Eastern Virginia, where it is so much needed. |
| I write by this mail to Colonel Ellis,
the president of the James River and Kanawha Company, requesting him
to confer with you on the subject and make proposals for completing
bateau navigation from Buchanan to Covington. |
| By order of General H. Heth, commanding. |
| I am, sir, very respectfully, |
| R. H. Finney |
| Assistant Adjutant General |
|