Atlanta, November 24, 1862
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| Hon. S. R. Mallory |
| Secretary of Navy, Richmond |
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| Sir, |
| I have gotten a little method at last
into the coal transportation. Have sent to Charleston, S.C., 400
tons; to Savannah, 232 tons; J. H. Warner, Columbus, Ga., 56 tons;
in all, for the first month's operations, gross amount of 688 tons,
notwithstanding an interruption by the movement of General Bragg's
troops of fully two weeks. My cars have been delayed entirely too
much at Charleston and Savannah. I shall find out the reason, if any
there be for it, and may ask you to instruct the commanding officers
to remedy it, should I find any neglect in the unloading of the coal
after its arrival at its destination. So much for the coal, and now
for the paramount interest--the iron. I fear, should the War
Department adhere to their request as to the Brunswick iron, that
the views of the Navy Department may be seriously interfered with. I
received a dispatch when last at Savannah from General Beauregard,
requesting only that in my action I should not require the road {the
Brunswick & Albany RR} for military purposes more than I
possibly might be compelled to do to consult with General Mercer. I
only asked for the immediate removal of the 461 tons of iron {about
4 1/2 miles} already taken from the Brunswick end of the
road, and now lying 25 miles up the road at Waynesville, at which
point the present running of road terminates. I expect to be able to
satisfy General Beauregard that the taking up of some 1,600 tons
more of iron from the unused portion of the road {about
16 miles} will not interfere with the military use of the
road, in his acceptation of that term, when I can get a personal
interview. Again, in reference to the Roberts iron, I have yet only
got some 500 tons away, although I have been some three times to
Savannah to give my personal attention to its removal. Both General
Mercer and Roberts, as president of the road {Vice
President of the Savannah, Albany & Gulf RR}, promised
everything required, but they failed to perform. Captain James T.
Stewart, General M[ercer]'s quartermaster, writes me that he can not
get the iron up, Mr. R[oberts] using the means of transportation in
hauling cotton and other private freight instead of the iron in
question. I am now going down again tomorrow, and shall endeavor, if
I find it necessary, to make up a train, for which I have provided
the cars, to remove it at once. I feel the importance of immediate
and energetic action in the premises, for fear the enemy may
possibly cut some bridge upon the Savannah, Albany and Gulf road and
thereby seriously interrupt the completion of the vessels now in
progress and near completion. The railroads are all so occupied with
army movements and supplies that it appears almost impossible to
achieve anything in the way of getting iron to the rolling mill. The
avenue from Savannah is the furthest from these objections of all,
and hence all or any pertinacity upon my part becomes entirely
proper. It may become necessary for assistance in the shape of
orders from Richmond to enforce the attention of our army friends to
the importance of an adequate and immediate supply of iron for the
naval service, and, if so, I will ask for it by telegraph from your
hands. My address will be Pulaski House, Savannah, for the next few
days. |
| I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
|
| J. G. Miner
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| Agent of Navy Department
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| {on back of document, not printed
in OR} |
| Refer thro QM Genl to Col Wadley for cars ??? above ???
to save the Road only to be ?? in case of necessity. I prefer before
going it Col Wadley sh try arrangement |
| JAS |
| Secy War |
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| Respy referred to Col. Wadley AAG |
| By command of Secy of War |
| Jasper S. Whiting |
| Maj & AAG |
| AHGO |
| Dec 6/62 |
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