| Endorsement on letter from Brig Gen Canty
dated Pollard, Ala. July 30, 1863 in regard to importance of Pensacola
Rail Road & ntsy the Iron should remain. |
| Engineer Bureau Aug 3, 1863. Resp.
returned to the Hon Sec of War. I have had special conversations with
Col Garnett (who advises notwithstanding the views expressed by Brig
Genl. Canty that the iron be removed from the Alabama & Florida
Rail Road {most certainly the Florida road}. With a reasonable degree of energy on the part of the
commander of the troops assigned to the duty of protecting the R. Road
from Mobile to Montgomery bridges can be built over the streams &
marshes securing all necessary communication for the Pickets thrown
out toward Pensacola & for hauling supplies. In fact the present
terminus of the iron track does not appear to be ??? located for the
connection of the Pickets (operating over the country dividing the
pine Laner creek from the Perdido river) with the Rail Road to be
protected. Provisions can be mainly hauled from Pollard for the supply
of Pickets operating east of the Escambia river. I earnestly recommend
that the iron be removed as now ordered. |
| J. F. Gilmer |
| Col Engrs & Chf of Bureau |
| |
| Approved |
| Jas. A. Seddon |
|