| Engineer Bureau |
| July 27th '63 |
| |
| Lt. W. D. Steuart Engrs |
| Fredericksburg |
| |
| Sir, |
| I have recd your letter of the 25th &
26th Inst. Under Major Collins orders from Genl. Lee, dated 28th of
June '63 to remove the material as soon as possible from the
Railroad {the Richmond, Fredericksburg &
Potomac RR}, I trust he will give you every protection and
assistance in his power, and not destroy bridges, or anything else,
until it becomes an absolute necessity to keep them from the enemy.
Impress all labor within your reach under the support of Major Collins
& put it to work removing the iron. Can any sand bags be saved
from the Federal batteries at Falmouth or other points in Stafford
County. Could not a party of Major Collins command remaining at or
near Fredericksburg be induced to save some of these bags if they are
worth saving. I have just seen the Secy of War who wishes me say, he
relies much on the energies of the engineers; he also authorizes me to
ask of Major Collins every support an assistance in saving the iron
that he can possibly give. |
| Your obdt sevt |
| J. F. Gilmer |
| Col. Engrs & Chf of Bu |
| Also OR, Series 1, Vol. 27, Part
3, Page 1045 |
|