| Engineer Bureau |
| Richmond, December 9th, 1862 |
| |
| Lieut. Col. Wm. H. Sterns |
| Corps of Engineers &c & Chief of Construction
Dept N. Va. |
| (Or Maj. W. P. Smith, C. S. A.) |
| |
| Colonel, |
| By direction of the Secretary of War you
will detach one hundred negroes from the works for the defenses of
Richmond and send them with rations, twenty four spades, twenty four
axes and six carts to the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac R.
Rd. Co. to assist in work on this road essential to the supply of Genl.
Lee's army in the vicinity of Fredericksburg. This force with the
tools, &c will be sent to the Depot of that Road, Broad Street,
Richmond, at the earliest moment possible. In the absence of Lieut.
Col. W. H. Sterns, Major Wm. Proctor Smith C. S. A. will carry out the
above instructions. |
| Please inform this Bureau as to the time
the negroes can be at the Depot. Also, inform Mr. P. V. Daniel, Prest.
of the company, corner of Broad & 8th Sts. The services of the
negroes are urgently required, Three overseers should be sent with the
hands if so many can be spared from the defenses of this city. |
| Very Respectfully |
| Your Obt. Servt. |
| J. F. Gilmer |
| Colonel of Engrs. & Chief of Bureau |
|