| Confederate States of America |
| War Department, Engineer Bureau |
| Richmond Va., Jany 21st 1865 |
| |
| Maj. E. T. D. Myers Engr |
| Commissioner for collecting & distributing Rail Road Iron |
| Richmond Va. |
| |
| Major, |
| I hand herewith orders for you, as a
member of the commission for collecting & distributing Rail Road Iron,
to proceed to Augusta Ga. & other points to take measures, under the
authority of Genl. G. T. Beauregard, Commd the Division of the West
(should he so direct as a Military necessity) to remove iron from such
Roads in So Carolina & Georgia as can be best spared from the military
transportation of the Country, the iron to be used in repairing the
Georgia Rail Road, the Atlanta & West Point Rail Road and the Macon &
Western R. Road in the State of Georgia. |
| It is essential that the Rail Roads named
should be put in working order at the earliest practicable day, for the
military transportation of the Country. It is believed that Genl
Beauregard will issue, as commander of the Division of the West, or
direct to be issued by his Adjutant General, Col G. W. Brint, now at
Montgomery, Ala., such orders as will enable you to have the iron
removed and forwarded at once to Capt L. P. Grant, Engrs, to such points
on the Georgia Rail Road as may be most convenient for the use intended. |
| Capt Grant is charged with the repairs on
the Rail Road in Georgia recently destroyed in part by the enemy. You
will please to put yourself in communication with him and aid him all in
your power, by supplying Rails, Chairs, spikes and other materials
necessary to the prompt execution of the work committed to his hands.
Capt Grant has suggested that the Iron be obtained from the Charleston &
Savannah R. Road, the Road between Augusta & Millen, the branch from
Camak on the Georgia Road to Mayfield, and from the Macon & Brunswick
Rail Road. But under existing necessities it will be necessary for Genl
Beauregard as a military commander to issue the orders relating to the
matter, as he can best judge as to the particular Roads from which the
iron can be removed with the least injury to the military operations, as
well as to the necessity for the removal. You will look to the Commdg
General for the requisite support in conducting your operations. This is
the only way in which the iron can be had in time. |
| You will please present for the
consideration of the Commdg General the importance of re-establishing
the connection between Augusta & Macon via Millen, after completing the
work on the roads leading through Atlanta. With this view it is hoped
the iron on the Road from Augusta to Millen can be left on the track and
that a sufficient amount can be obtained from other sources o supply our
immediate wants. |
| In conclusion, I will ask you to urge upon
the Commdg General the important fact that much delay is unavoidable in
the regular course of impressment by the War Dept., and that the only
way to get immediate results is by his orders under the existing
military necessities. |
| I am, Major Very resp'y |
| Your obdt Servt |
| J. F. Gilmer |
| Maj Gen & Chf Eng Bu |
|