| Engineer Bureau |
| Richmond Jany 16th 1863 |
| |
| Hon. Jas. A. Seddon |
| Secy of War |
| |
| Sir, |
| Authority has recently been granted Capt.
E. T. D. Myers, Engr Corps, P. A. C. S. Chief Eng of the Piedmont RR
Co to take possession of 50 pr cent of the unlaid iron belonging to
the Western N. C. R. R. {52 lb T-rail}, the Raleigh & Gaston R.
R. {T-rail of unknown weight}, the Atlantic
& N. C. R. R. {60 lb T-rail}, and the Va. Central R. R.
{various sizes and types of rail} -- also authority to take
possession of all the iron of the Clarkesville & Keysville Road {Roanoke
Valley RR; 50 lb T-rail},
the Port Walthall R. R. {a branch of the
Richmond & Petersburg RR; T and U rail of 51 to 60 lbs}, and the
{Richmond &} York River Road {52
lb T-rail} beyond the Paminkey. |
| The govt difficulty in possessing suitable
agents for the collection of the iron at the present time, and even if
the the services were secured, the obstacles that will naturally be
thrown in their way, in the performance of their duty, suggests that,
the aid of the Government should be extended to the Piedmont RR
Company & its Chief Engineer. This road is being built to augment
the transportation facilities of the Confederacy, a question of vital
importance, appertaining naturally to the Quartermaster Dept., and I
therefore respectfully recommend that the Quartermaster Genl. be
requested to direct such affairs of his Department as may be most
conveniently located for each of the above impressments of iron, to
undertake without delay its collection and provide promptly all
necessary transportation. |
| Very Respy &c |
| J. F. Gilmer |
| Col. & Chf Engr Bu |
| |
| Capt. E. T. D. Myers, when addressed in Danville, Va.,
on being communicated with, will designate by return mail, the point
of delivery preferred in each case, whether Danville, Va. or
Greensboro, N. C. |
| J. F. G. |
|