| Engineer Bureau |
| April 22d, 1864 |
| |
| Genl A. R. Lawton |
| Quarter Master General |
| Richmond |
| |
| General, |
| I have reason to hope that the Gap in the
Piedmont R. R. will be reduced by the end of the month from 12 to six
miles. Unfortunately however the bulk of the iron is at the Greensboro
end of the Gap. I understand that about one hundred wagons are engaged
in hauling stores etc. and as there is an excess of iron on the
Greensboro side and a surplus of sills on the Danville side, I resp'y
suggest that by the end of this month, half of the wagons be employed
in hauling iron one way, returning with sills the other. The fifty
could haul a mile of iron in three days, supposing the load per wagon
to be about (1000) one thousand pounds. By this means it is hoped the
time of completion of the Road may be reduced some ten or fifteen
days. |
| These suggestions are earnestly commended
for favorable consideration. |
| Very Respy &c &c |
| A. L. Rives |
| Col. &c &c |
|