| Engineer Bureau |
| 20th July 1864 |
| |
| Kemp P. Battle Esqr |
| Presidt. Chatham R. R. |
| Raleigh N. C. |
| |
| Sir, |
| Your letter of the 2d inst asking that
your company be supplied by Government with (24) twenty-four miles of
U or T-rail for the construction of this road has been referred by the
Hon Sec'y of War to this Bureau for consideration. The importance of
your road is appreciated, and has been the subject of conference with
the Chf of the Nitre & Mining Bureau. Earnest efforts are being
made by the Government to secure for necessary purposes the greatest
possible supply of R. R. iron, and in distributing what is thus
obtained, the claims of the Chatham R. Road as compared with those of
other important Roads, will be carefully weighed. |
| By order Maj Genl Gilmer Chf Engr. |
| Yours vy respy |
| A. L. Rives |
| Col. &c |
|