| Executive Department |
| Tallahassee Dec
1861 |
| |
| His Excellency Jefferson Davis |
| President C. S. A. |
| |
| Sir, |
| You are doubtless aware that
our principle means of obtaining supplies for the troops stationed at
Fernandina and other points in East and Middle Florida is by the
Steamers plying between Savannah and Fernandina. |
| It is apprehended that the
enemy will soon be able to cut off this communication by occupying one
or more of the Islands along the route. This accomplished, we will have
to depend upon the Rail Roads running from Savannah into South
Western Georgia and then upon wagons to connect with the Florida Roads.
I need not remark upon the great inconvenience, expense trouble and
delay which must ensure if we shall be obliged to resort to this
alternative. Efforts are being made to connect by Rail Road the Georgia
and Florida Roads, and I am informed that the track is now nearly, if
not quite in a condition to be laid, but owing to the difficulties of
the tering, and the want of money it is feared that the Florida Company
at least will not be able to procure the iron to complete the portion of
the road within the limits of this State. |
| The failure of communication
with Savannah by water renders the completion of the Rail Road connexion
a necessity for the successful defence of the State. The peculiar
geographic position of Florida requires our troops to be posted at many
different points, and it is not impossible, nay, it is highly probable
that we may not only have to depend on Georgia for supplies, but that we
may have to look to that State for assistance in men should an attempt
be made to penetrate into this State. In such an event the want of a
Rail Road connexion by which to transport troops, munitions and
provisions would be a serious detriment. It is therefore a matter of
serious consideration whether the Government should not upon the
principle advanced in your message to Congress give its aid to complete
the connexion referred to. The distance between the two roads, is, I
believe about forty seven miles twenty two of which are within this
State. The Georgia Company have, I am informed, the ability to complete
their portion; but be this as it ma, I respectfully suggest the
propriety, nay more, the necessity, of the Government taking such
measures as will insure a speedy construction of the Road so important
to our defence. I am assured by the Chief Engineer of the Road that it
could be completed in one month after the iron is obtained. May I
therefore ask, if your Excellency shall agree with me, that you will
urge upon Congress the adoption of such measures, as will accomplish at
the earliest moment an object rendered so necessary by the circumstances
of the times. |
| I would also respectfully
invite attention to the fact that in all human probability the road
known as the Pensacola & Georgia Rail Road will, under an existing
contract be completed to Quincy about the first of January, thence to
the Chattahoochee River passing near this {appears
to be one line missing at the bottom of the page} Arsenal is
twenty two miles. |
| If the road were completed to
the River troops could with arms and munitions of War be readily
transported from Alabama and Georgia for the defence of our coast, the
Government of Georgia and Alabama having consented most cordially to my
accepting the services of forces from their respective States. |
| If the Confederate Government
aid with the means to procure the iron and send 300 prisoners Irish and
Germans to the
the Road shall be built by the prisoners with their consent, and if need
be they shall as soldiers, defend the work. |
| I fear that you will regret
having invited me to a free correspondence from the tax imposed upon
your attention; but I cannot but feel a deep solicitude for the defence
of Florida as one of the Confederate States, and express it with
confidence in appeals for the exercise of your known patriotism. |
| I have the honor to be |
| Very Respectfully Sir |
| John Milton |
| {Governor of Florida} |
|