| Head Qrs Dist Texas, New Mexico & Arizona |
| Houston, June 18/63 |
| |
| Brig Gen W. R. Boggs |
| Chief of Staff |
| |
| Sir, |
| I have the honor to state that
I have been informed that an agreement or contract has been entered into
for the construction of a wagon road from Niblett's Bluff to New Iberia,
La. I would state that, in connection with this, when the proposition
for the construction of a Railroad from Orange, Texas, to Opelousas
{New Orleans & Texas RR}, was referred to
me, I stated that I thought the military propriety of such a step
depended on the course of events on the Missi. I afterwards learned that
Congress appropriated $500,000 for this purpose, and that the President
approved it with the proviso that it should not be used for this purpose
until the other Railroads in the District were repaired. |
| In my opinion the propriety of
constructing this wagon road depends upon the same wants as in case of
the railroad, and without intending for a moment to dissent from the
action of the Lt Genl Commanding the Dept. I thought it proper to
present my views on the subject, before any decisive steps were taken. I
beg leave to inform the Lt Genl Comdg that I have ordered Major
Bloomfield, my Chief Qr. Mr. to carry out his instructions relative to
the continuation of the Telegraph Line to Shreveport, concerning which
arrangements had been made, as stated in the letter of AA Genl Grey M.
Bryan, enclosing Special Order relative to Mr Baker. I beg leave also to
lay before the Lt Genl Comdg the enclosed copy of a letter from Capt
Clite, Genl Supt of Telegraphs, for such action as he may deem
necessary. The suggestions of Capt Clite & the terms upon which he
proposes to continue the lines of Telegraph meet with my approval, and
will I trust meet both the favorable consideration of Lt Genl Smith. |
| Very Respy |
| Your obt Svt |
| J Bankhead Magruder |
| Major Genl Comdg District |
|