| Engineer Bureau |
| Richmond Nov. 5th 1862 |
| |
| Col. Larkin Smith |
| Asst. Quarter Master General |
| Richmond |
| |
| Colonel, |
| I have to acknowledge the receipt of your
note of this morning enquiring whether A. L. Maxwell is the contractor
for the Bridgeport Bridges {Nashville &
Chattanooga RR}, and further "whether the Government is obligated
to give free transportation for materials for the work." |
| I am unable Colonel to answer any of your
queries, as the contract if it exists has never been submitted to this
Bureau. It is respectfully suggested from experience that the General
Commanding the Department if telegraphed to can probably furnish the
desired information at once. |
| Very Respectfully, Your obt. Sevt. |
| A. L. Rives |
| Major & Asst. to Chief Engineer |