| Engineer Bureau |
| November 17th, 1862 |
| |
| The Hon. Secretary of War |
| War Department |
| |
| Sir, |
| In compliance with the instructions of the
Hon. Secretary of War indorsed upon the enclosed papers, the 13th
inst. I have consulted with the Quarter Master General as to the
capacity of his Department to supply animals, carts and boots for the
construction of a part of the Piedmont Rail Road, connecting Danville,
Va. and Greensboro, N. Carolina, and I have the honor to submit the
following supplemental |
|
Report |
| It will be seen by the indorsement upon the accompanying
papers, made by Colonel A. C. Myers, Chief Engineer of the Piedmont
Rail Road has been authorized to draw from the Qr. Masters Department
all spades, shovels, picks &c that can be spared, and that Capt.
Johnston A. Q. M. has been assigned to the duty of collecting carts,
horses and all transportation needs -- also, that Capt. Hawkins Asst.
Qr. Master at Ridgeway, N. Carolina has been directed to give all the
assistance he can in aid of the completion of the Road. |
| The number of animals and carts that can
be obtained by Captains Johnson and Hawkins cannot be stated, as it
depends upon the success these officers may meet with in procuring
them. |
| I enclose a copy of a letter from Lieut.
Col. Larkin Smith, Asst. Qr. Master Genl. from which it will be seen
that there has been furnished already, to Capt. E. T. D. Myers, Chief
Engineer, Piedmont R. Rd. |
|
|
| and that there are still to be furnished to aid in the
construction of the Road the following, viz: |
| Shovels |
296 |
| Spades |
229 |
| Picks |
295 |
| Axes |
79 |
| Making a total of |
1699 Tools |
|
| This number of tools will be sufficient to
supply a working force equal to the increase proposed in the joint
Report of Capt. Myers, Chief Engineer of the Road, and Edmund Wilkes,
contractor, as a part of the increase would be employed in driving
carts, removing materials, and other labor not requiring tools. |
| Additional tools can be furnished by the
Quarter Master Dept if the Engineer Bureau can get them repaired --
arrangements to this end can be probably made. |
| With the resources of the Qr. Masters
Dept. as just stated, I am of the opinion the Government could with
safety undertake the construction of a part of the Piedmont Rail Road,
on the plan suggested in my original report dated 10th November
current, and returned herewith. |
| Respectfully Submitted |
| J. F. Gilmer |
| Colonel of Engrs & Chief of Engr. Bu. |
|