| Hdqrs. Depart. of South Carolina and
Georgia |
| Pocotaligo, April 8, 1862 |
| |
| Brig. Gen. Thomas F. Drayton |
| Commanding Sixth Military District South
Carolina |
|
| General, |
| I desire you to proceed with
as little delay as possible to the city of Augusta, Ga., and confer
with the mayor, R. H. May, esq., in relation to the immediate
connection through Augusta of the Waynesborough and Augusta {the
Augusta & Savannah RR} and South Carolina Railroads. You
will explain to the city authorities and to the presidents and
directors of the railroad companies that this measure is a military
necessity, which I trust those interested will acknowledge. It is
only necessary to revert to the important fact that, should the
enemy cut the Charleston and Savannah Railroad, there will be no
direct communication between the cities of Charleston and Savannah
by railroad unless this connection is made. I am informed by his
excellency Gov. J. E. Brown, of Georgia, that the route through
Augusta proposed by Dr. Willis, president of the Waynesborough and
Augusta road, and which he is willing to construct at the expense of
the company, is the shortest; and being, for military necessities,
the proper route, you will therefore require the said connection to
be made by this route, and as expeditiously as possible. |
| I am, very respectfuly, &c., |
| J. C. Pemberton |
| Major-General, Commanding |
|