| Naval Commandant's Office |
| Wilmington, N. C. March 24th 1863 |
| |
| Midshipman |
| Wm. F. Clayton C. S. N. |
| Wilmington, N. C. |
| |
| Sir, |
| Proceed without delay along the rail road
from this place to Atlanta {almost certainly
this means south down the Wilmington & Manchester RR and on from
there} keeping a vigilant lookout for all iron plates intended
for gunboats building here which you will return with superintending
and expediting their transportation. |
| Should you meet with any difficulty or
delay, you will call upon the Commanding Officer of the Post or
District and ask his aid in forwarding the iron, representing the
urgent need for same. |
| Very Respectfully |
| W. F. Lynch |
| Flag Officer |
| You will see that the iron is first
brought to Kingsville, and thence to this point. |
|