{Printed circular letter
sent to most railroads east of the Mississippi River. The only reply found
to date is the Charleston & Savannah RR (here)}
| Augusta, Ga., De. 17th, 1862 |
| |
| To ..... |
| |
| Dear Sir: Having failed at the recent meeting
of Presidents and Superintendents of Railroads in the Confederate
States, to agree upon a definite plan for carrying on Government
Transportation, over the several Railroads of the country, and
deeming it of the first importance that some system should be agreed
upon, by which all will act in harmony, I respectfully submit and
ask your concurrence and agreement to the following: |
| Your Superintendent to act as my
assistant, without compensation, in conducting Government
transportation over your road. |
| It being his duty to receive from
commanding and authorized officers, orders for transportation, and
to order and conduct such transportation to destination, or to a
connecting road, as the case may be, to receive from, and deliver
to, connecting roads, all freight from, or destined to, connecting
lines. |
| To report to me at least once a
week the general condition and state of Government transportation,
and conduct of Government Agents on his road; and, in the event of
any accident or stoppage of Government freight or troops, to make
special report of the same by telegraph. In the event of any unusual
amount of freight or troops to be transported, to be reported by
telegraph or letter, to the Superintendent of the road over which
the same may have to pass, in order that he may be prepared for the
same. |
| To make immediately a full and
accurate report of the amount and condition of his rolling stock,
and the general condition and wants of his road; and, in the event
of any change in his rolling stock or road, to report the same. |
| My object in obtaining the information in
reference to the rolling stock, condition and wants of the several
roads in the country, is to enable me to aid those in want, so far
as may be in the power of the Government to supply. |
| If you agree to this plan of carrying on
Government transportation, you will please notify me at Richmond,
Va., and instruct your Superintendent to enter upon the discharge of
his duties, in accordance with it, immediately. On the other hand,
if you object to the plan, or to your Superintendent acting as my
assistant, be pleased to notify me, in order that I may provide some
other manner of superintending and conducting Government
transportation over your road. |
| I remain, very respectfully, |
| Your obedient servant, |
| Wm. M. Wadley, |
| A. A. G. |
|