| Engineer Bureau |
| 30 Sept. 1863 |
| |
| Col. C. F. M. Garnett |
| Commissioner for the Removal of R. R. iron &c |
| Richmond |
| |
| Colonel, |
| The questions recently submitted by you to
the Bureau have been considered, & I have conferred with the Hon.
Secretary & asst. Secretary of War in regard to the difficulties
suggested. Judge Campbell, Asst. Sec of War is of the opinion that in
cases where the iron of a Rail road company is the object of
impressment, the neinage appraisement needs not to be separate in the
various counties through which the Rail-road passes. In such cases the
venue or locality may be disregarded. Where the number of miles has
been fixed, from which the iron is to be removed, the value of the
whole amount to be taken ought to be determined by a single
appraisement, regulating the terms of the transfer from the R. R.
Company to the C. S. Government. |
| By the direction of the Hon. Secretary of
War, letters have been addressed by the Bureau to the Hon. R. Jemison
Jr. objecting to the lease of the finished portion of the N. E. &
S. W. Alabama {Northeast & Southwest Alabama} R.
R. to the company of the Mobile & Ohio R. R. & to Genl. Jos.
E. Johnston representing the unfriendly spirit which seems to actuate
the Miss. Central R. R. Co. & requesting him to take the steps
necessary to save to the Confederacy by impressment or other wise, the
rolling stock of that Road when unduly exposed to the public enemy. |
| Yours Very Respectfully |
| A. L. Rives |
| Lt. Col. & Actg. Chf. Bu. |
|