|
Engineer Bureau |
| Richmond, 24 January 1865 |
| |
| Capt. L. P. Grant Engs |
| Augusta Georgia |
| |
| Captain, |
| I am directed by Genl Gilmer to
acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 18th inst and to say that he
is gratified to learn that the repairs of the Rail Road committed to
your charge have been progressing so well. He wishes you to confer with
Col. Browne and impress upon him the great importance of getting labor
at an early day to press the work forward to completion. He hopes that
you will be able to secure full cooperation on the part of the Rail Road
Companies, the officers of the Companies being personally known to you. |
| Orders have been issued to Major E. T. D.
Myers Engrs, a member of the Commission for Collecting RR Iron, to
proceed to Georgia to give his personal attention to securing such iron
as you may need. In assigning him to this duty it is not intended to
change or undo anything that you may have done in the matter. But simply
to assist you as far as possible in that part of the labor. He will act
as you have been doing by authority from General Beauregard, Comdg Div.
of the West, the same being under military necessity. The entire charge
of construction and repairs rests with you, but it may be in Maj. Myers'
power to give you some suggestions that may aid in the prosecution of
the work under the difficulties we have to contend with in the disturbed
conditions of the Country. It is thought that Maj. Myers need not remain
for a long time in Georgia in case he should be fortunate enough to find
intelligent & efficient agents to hasten forward a collection of the
requisite iron. |
| The Quarter Master General informs this
Bureau that the wagon road from Mayfield to Milledgeville is in bad
condition. Will it be in your power, without delaying the repairs of the
Rail Roads, to furnish labor to improve this wagon Road, under men of
your own selection? This is important in view of the fact that it will
be several weeks yet before the Rail Road between Milledgeville &
Eatonton can be placed in running order to enable the hauling to be done
from the latter point to Madison. You will please to do what may be in
your power being always in mind that the R R connexion across the State
of Ga is of the first importance. |
| Will it not be possible to obtain some
iron from the portion of the Central RRd between Millen & Savannah to be
applied in the repairs of other Roads? The iron from the Road between
Augusta & Millen should not be removed, unless it is certain that the
connexion with Macon via Millen cannot be restored. The Qr. Mr. Dept.
considers that connexion should be preserved if practicable. |
| Have you the assistance of Capts
Hazelhurst & Glenn on the repairs of Rail Roads? Please keep the Bureau
fully informed as to the progress of your work. |
| By order Maj Gen. Gilmer Chf Engr |
| J. H. Alexander |
| AAG |