| Engineer Bureau |
| May 25th 1863 |
| |
| H. D. Whitcomb Esq. |
| Supt. Va. Central R. Rd. |
| Richmond, Va. |
| |
| Dear Sir, |
| Your letter of the 22d inst enclosing one
from Colonel Fontaine, President of your Company in regard to turning
over 2 1/2 miles of old R. Rd. iron to the Government, has been
received. Although this Dept. is now almost entirely deprived of a
laboring force, yet an attempt will be made if absolutely, to assist
you in collecting the old iron for transportation to Richmond. Please
let me know at your earliest convenience the least force you will
require in addition to your own, to enable you to commence the
delivery at an early day. |
| The question of compensation has been
referred to Major I. M. St. John, Chief of the Nitre and Mining
Bureau, from whom you will probably hear respecting it very promptly. |
| Very Respectfully |
| Your obt Servt |
| J. F. Gilmer |
| Col. of Engrs & Chf of Bureau |
|