| Endorsement on letter from Maj Genl W. H.
C. Whiting to Sec'y of War representing the great need of iron for
repairs of the W. & M. {Wilmington &
Manchester} R. R. & introducing Mr. T. D. Walker Presdt of
the Road. June 13/64 |
| Engr Bu 23 June 64 {copied
from the June 24th page of the letterbook} Resp'y
returned after verbal conference on consultation with Cols Garnett
& Sims. I am convinced that this appeal is one of urgent
importance and that the iron should be taken from the end of the Wil.
Charlotte & Rutherford R. R. to furnish to the Wil. &
Manchester the ten miles asked for. Preliminary steps have been taken
under the impressment law to secure these ten miles, but legal difficulties
& obstacles are so energetically & constantly thrown in the
way that I have no hope whatever of being able to secure this much
needed rail otherwise than by prompt seizure by the mil. auth. as a
matter of important necessity. The Reports of the commissioners for
the removal of R. R. iron have convinced me that in almost every cast
this last method will ultimately have to be pursued to secure
practical results. The question is one of vast importance & is
earnestly commended for the most serious attention, as the question of
successful transportation, so vital to the Confederacy, hinges
absolutely upon it. |
| A. L. Rives |
| Col. &c |
|