| Engineer Bureau |
| Richmond, May 18th 1863 |
| |
| Capt. W. F. Foster |
| Engineer Corps P. A. C. S. |
| Knoxville, Tenn. |
| |
| Captain, |
| Your letter of 15th April 1863, addressing
to Major J. G. Martin advocating the completion of the
{Knoxville &} Kentucky Rail Road to Coal
Creek, has been as you are aware for some time under the consideration
of this Bureau. The limited supply of railroad iron now available from
every source, is so greatly needed to keep in repair roads of first
class importance, that it is not deemed judicious to undertake the
construction of the above named Road. You will therefore as suggested by
yourself suspend the construction of the bridge at Clinton, storing in
some safe and convenient locality the materials collected, with a view
to repairing promptly any disaster which may happen to important rai
road bridges in the Department. |
| Very Respectfully Yours |
| J. F. Gilmer |
| Col. of Engrs. & Chf. of Bureau |
|