| Engineer Bureau |
| March 28th '63 |
| |
| Endorsement on letter of Col. W. A. Wadley dated
March 12th in relation to the supply of iron on the Montgomery &
West Point RRd. |
| "Respy retd to the Hon. Secy of War;
From the best information before the Bureau, I am of the opinion that
the iron from the Florida & Alabama RRd {Alabama
& Florida (of Florida)}, about 15 miles, can be spared with
as little injury to the public interests as from any other road &
ought to be taken for the Montgomery & West Point RRd, unless its
removal would defeat an important military operation, or operations
that may be contemplated by Maj. Genl. J. B. Buckner Comdg at Mobile.
The 5 miles should be taken from the "Perdido Branch {the
Pensacola & Mobile RR}" for future use; but to wagon
the iron 20 miles is a slow operation. When taken, the worn iron
should be given in exchange, as the "Alabama Arms Co." will
need a substitute. If the Fla. & Ala. Rail Road iron, cannot in
the judgment of Genl Bruckner be taken, them I propose iron to be
taken from 10 miles of the Cahaba & Marion {Cahaba,
Marion & Greensboro RR}, or 22 {11?}
miles toun & New Peine in Ala. Maj. Genl. Buckner can best decide
as to which of the roads named can be dispensed with." |
| J. F. Gilmer |
| Col Engers & Chf of Bu |
|