| Selma Dec 15, 1864 |
| |
| Col. F. W. Sims |
| Supt R. R. Bureau |
| Richmond Va |
| |
| Dear Sir, |
| Having observed for some
months past the great want of skilled men in our Rail Roads and repair
shops as well as manufacturing establishments and observed the rapid
deterioration of Rail Roads and rolling stock and after much
reflection and some consultation upon the subject I am inducted to
address you the following communication with a view of bringing it
before the notice of the proper authorities. It is the subject and
policy of working the Federal prisoners now in our hands and those
that will be in future. There has been some attempt to work them in
the Southern shops but I believe without any special result. So far as
my observation goes I should question the policy mixing them with our
own men it may do in some few instances and to a limited extent, but
what we require now and immediately is a large and effective force to
work on the repairs of motive power and stock of our different roads
through this country, and what I would wish to bring before the
Government is the possibility of using that force for this purpose and
would suggest the following plan be adopted. |
| Say take this point as being
contiguous to coal and iron, make an enclosure of say about 50 acres,
within a high plank fence of 10 or 12 feet put up within the enclosure
barracks for the accommodation of the operatives, erect there
temporary wooden buildings for shops and use on a regular repair
business for the different roads. My idea would be to work nothing but
the Federal Prisoners. Take those that would be willing to trade their
parole under these circumstances and while I would furnish them with their
clothing as well as food, I would also pay them a daily stipend
according to their skill and efficiency, there would also take a
Sutler store within the enclosure to enable the men to avail
themselves of their earnings by purchasing what their fancy would
require. There ought also to be a guard of say 50 men more for a
police duty than anything else which might be taken from the reserves
or from forces that are not now doing active duties in the field. I am
satisfied there could be from 1000 to 1500 effective operatives put to
useful work under such a regular plan or one similar to it in addition
to doing much of the repairs of the roads that are now running through
this section. I would remind you that there now in Mississippi some
1500 to 2000 machine tools such as Lathes, Planes, Drill presses
&c as well as about 150 Locomotives which have been partly damaged
by the enemy, all of which could be put in successful operation by a
work of this kind. There are some minor points about this plan, which
is hardly necessary for me to discuss but you have the general idea
and I am perfectly satisfied if put in the hands of a proper person to
manage and superintend would be perfectly successful. I am authorized
by Col. Sam Tate and Maj. Tom Peters to say that they fully approve of
it and ??? they have at the time of the writing of this action would
so endorse it. |
| S. B. Lowe |
| |
| {on the back of the
letter} |
| Nitre & Mining
Bureau |
| Hed. Qurs Mining
Division |
| Selma Dec 20th 1864 |
| |
|
Respectfully submitted to ????? |
| I
endorse in every particular the proposition of Mr. S. B. Lowe.
The prisoners have to be given ??? any ????? to pay all expenses of personnel
&c. |
| ?????
the Commissary Department would be relieved from feeding the number of
prisoners so employed. In my judgment it would be practicable &
would tend always to keep the shops full of men & provide the
attention that might be made to escape & to insure good conduct to
exchange (when a contract is established) first men who take advantage
of the permit to work in the shops, with the understanding. Prisoners
would doubtless crowd into the shops & as fast as one lot was
exchanged another would be ready to take their places. |
| Wm Richardson Hunt |
| Lt. Col. &c |
| |
| Selma Dec 21st 1864 |
| |
| Respy
submitted to HdQrs Divn of the West. |
|
Something of this kind is urgently needed, and I am told that a joint
stock company could readily be raised to undertake it under the
patronage of the Govt. Mr. Lowe might be induced to take the management
& is said to be competent. |
| Foremen
should be Southern men carefully selected. |
| I
respectfully urge that 1st Lt. Wm Gourdin Young of the Engineer Corps
at Charleston S. C. be suitably promoted & placed in general
charge of these repairs. He is a practical mechanic, an energetic
officer, & a gentleman upon whom every reliance can be place. |
| A shop
here (the R. R. bridge at Demopolis being completed) would answer for
the division west of the Ala River. |
| There
should be another in Ga or S. C. for the railroads there. |
| Henry Pryor |
| Major & Asst
Inspector Genl |
| Mil Divn of the West |