| Confederate States of America |
| War Department |
| Engineer Bureau |
| Richmond, Va., 17 Jany 1863 |
| |
| Capt. L. P. Grant |
| Engr Corps P. A. C. S. |
| Atlanta, Georgia |
| |
| Captain, |
| Your report on the Saline Region of Clark
Co. Alabama came safely to hand. It is hoped that your interview with
Professor Thomassy will be so full & satisfactory as to enable you to
commence without delay such grading as is necessary for the evaporating
basins proposed. You have authority to employ an engineer to assist you.
Your operations should be confined, for the present, exclusively to the
"Reserve;" authority to commence work having been given by the State. It
would be well also to turn your attention to securing suitable steam
pumping machinery as promptly as possible. |
| In a letter recently received from you, it
is suggested that it would be well to construct & keep on hand a supply
of bridging (Howe's truss). This suggestion of yours is approved & its
execution assigned to your care. |
| Your letter of the 11th inst. has been
received. It would be well to get the iron you need from Genl. Green &
partner -- impress if necessary. I understand that all the iron the
Genl. has belongs under contract to either Confederate or State
Authorities & therefore the question of valuing the iron & valing the
ton is not a matter of importance as far as this Dept. is concerned. The
whole valuation will rest with the Nitre & Mining Bureau of which Major
I. M. St. John is Chief I am informed however that the long ton of 2240
lbs. rules in all Government contracts. |
| Such forms as you may need will be
forwarded at an early date. |
| With regard to any instructions as to
paying bills &c I would refer you to Maj. M. H. Wright on Ordnance Duty
in Atlanta, who is perfectly familiar with Govt. accounts & I doubt not
will take pleasure in initiating you into any peculiarities which may
exist. The Army Regulations contains copies of all necessary forms. |
| Very respectfully yours, |
| J. F. Gilmer |
| Col. & Chf. Eng of Bu |