| Engineer Bureau |
| Richmond, Va. February 27th 1863 |
| |
| Capt. L. P. Grant |
| Corps of Engineers Provl Army |
| Atlanta Geo. |
| |
| Captain, |
| In reply to your letter of the 20th inst.
I have to say that every effort has been made by this Bureau to have
rations provided for the negroes to be employed at the salt works in
Alabama through the Commissary Department. You have no doubt received
Colonel Northrop's letter on the subject, and, under the plan proposed
by him, I trust subsistence can be provided for the working force. |
| The Quarter Master Genl cannot supply
tents enough for the army, and will not, in consequence, furnish them
for negro huts or other temporary shelter. |
| The Secretary of War instructs me to
say that the closing of the contract with the Geo & Ala R. Rd. Co.
{Blue Mountain RR} must be delayed for a
short time until more positive information can be obtained as to the
practicability of obtaining iron from other roads that may be considered
of less importance to the public interest. This question is now under
careful consideration, and the necessary investigations are in progress,
will be closed at the earliest day possible. |
| You will please to spare no effort to
complete the bridges over the Watauga & Holston rivers -- this is of vast importance. |
| Very Respectfully Yours &c |
| J. F. Gilmer |
| Colonel & Chf of Engr Bureau |