Confederate States of America
| War Department, Engineer Bureau |
| Richmond, Va., February 16, 1865 |
| |
| Hon. J. C. Breckinridge |
| Secretary of War |
| |
| Sir, |
| I have somewhat delayed answering the
circular from your office of the 7th instant, in order to present a
more complete and satisfactory reply. I now have the honor to submit
the following statement of the means and resources for carrying on
the service confided to this Bureau, impediments thereto, and what
is desired to promote greater and necessary efficiency. |
| ***** |
| Third. For the prompt repair of railroad
bridges and trestle-work and for duplicating these last, an
organized body of mechanics should be available. This has been
partly provided for, but it is proposed to increase the force, if
practicable, to at least 100 for the roads leading directly to the
Army of Northern Virginia. Similar organizations should be made for
service farther south and west. |
| A commission for the collection of railroad
iron from unimportant lines and distribution, when necessary, to
those of vital consequence, as well as the construction of
iron-plated gun-boats, has been organized by the joint action of the
War and Navy Departments. Every possible impediment has been thrown
in the way of this commission, and serious delays have been caused
under the impressment act by parties suing out injunctions and
resorting to other similar legal steps. In many cases the iron rails
must be had promptly as a military necessity or disaster must
follow. When this is established the authority for removing them
from less important roads should be given and enforced by the
commanders of armies and departments, who are evidently the best
prepared to judge and act. Orders from the War Department must be
executed under the provisions of the law regulating impressments.
Orders from commanders under military necessity can be at once
carried into effect. |
| ***** |
| J. F. Gilmer |
| Major-General and Chief of Bureau |
|