| Engineer Bureau |
| October 29th 1863 |
| |
| Capt G. E. Dickinson |
| 1st Eng Regiment |
| |
| Captain, |
| This letter, although official is
confidential, and meant for your guidance -- not to be shown. It has
been represented that by offering 5 cts (five cents) per lb for
railroad iron lying between Potomac Creek and Acquia Creek, some of
the citizens of Stafford County could be induced to remove a large
portion if not the whole, and deliver it at a point opposite
Fredericksburg. Should you be able to make such an agreement with fair
prospect for success you are authorized to offer nine cents (9 cts)
per lb -- not higher, however, without first consulting this
Bureau. |
| You will however endeavor to make the most
favorable arrangement as to terms, within the above limits ??? in your
judgment to be productive of results. It will be best to give all your
operations the form of impressments to protect the citizens who may
assist u from persecution should the enemy again occupy their county.
Written certificates of impressment, issued in view of the authority
vested in you by the Hon Sec of War , if given to the persons
concerned will attain the desired end. |
| It will be best to make all ??? amount expenditures
payable at Fredericksburg or the nearest safe point thereto this side
of the Rappahannock. |
| Very Respy Yours |
| A. L. Rives |
| Lt Col & Actg Chf of Bureau |
| |
| Approved |
| J. A. Seddon |
| Secy of War |
|