| Engineer Bureau |
| June 17th 1863 |
| |
| Col. J. L. Corley, Chf Qr Master |
| Dept Northern Va |
| |
| Colonel, |
| Capt. T. B. Lee,
Corps of Engineers P. A. C. S. goes to the lower part of the Valley of
the Shenandoah to collect as far as possible any railroad property
that may fall into our hands -- viz. wheels and axles, tires, springs,
brasses, rods and other parts of engines and cars, so much needed by
the roads in the Confederacy. Can you through your subordinates in the
Valley, give him assistance by furnishing the transportation requisite
to bring the property seized to a point of safety? The wants of the
various lines of railroad are becoming so great it is important that
everything within our powers should be done to save all useful
materials, machinery and tools for workshops. |
| The Baltimore &
Ohio and Winchester {& Potomac} roads may supply many of our wants, if
transportation can be obtained -- in this respect I appeal to you for
assistance. |
| Capt. Lee, who is
assigned to the important duty of saving all he can of railroad
materials, has just returned from a special mission to Texas, where he
was detained for many weeks. He has had, therefore, no
opportunity to provide himself with a horse -- will you furnish him
with one temporarily, in consideration of the pressing service
assigned him? He may take a party of mechanics and experts with him
for whom I hope you can furnish transportation of some sort. |
| Very Respectfully, Yr Obt Servt |
| J. F. Gilmer |
| Col of Engrs & Chief of
Bureau |
|