|
Head Quarters C. S. Forces |
|
Chattanooga, Sept 20, 1862 |
| |
| E. W. Cole |
| Supt. N&C RRoad |
| |
| Sir, |
| The Federals having left the
line of the Nashville & Chattanooga Rail Road in their retreat from
Middle Tennessee, the re-opening of said Road becomes a military
necessity. You will therefore with as little delay as possible proceed
to run tracks to the waters edge on each side of the Tennessee River and
make arrangements for the immediate transfer of locomotive engines and
cars, troops and supplies across said River and with all possible
despatch have such bridges on the road re-built as have been destroyed,
so as to pass trains over them. Having accurate accounts of the expenses
for such work kept and charge the amount to the War Dept of the
Confederate States of America. On consultation with you I am informed
that the entire expense exclusive of the bridge over the Tenn River will
not exceed about Ten Thousand Dollars. |
| {not signed in the
record book, but clearly from:} |
| Saml Jones |
| Majr Gen |
|