| Engineer Bureau |
| Richmond, May 16th, 1864 |
| |
| H. D. Whitcomb Esq |
| Supt Va Central R. Rd {Superintendent,
Virginia Central RR} |
| |
| Sir, |
| A working party of about (80) eighty
mechanics has been collected within the past few days and is now held
at the disposition of this Bureau. Please inform me if you can be
enabled by the aid of a portion of this force in the repair of your
Road, to reestablish communications more promptly than you could
otherwise. I will be glad to assist you in a work of such importance. |
| Yours Very Respy |
| A. L. Rives |
| Col &c &c |
| |
| Also sent to E. H. Gill Esq |
| Supt Richmd & Petersburg R. Rd {Superintendent,
Richmond & Petersburg RR} |
| C. G. Talcott |
| Supt R. & D. R. R. {Superintendent,
Richmond & Danville RR} |
|