| Confederate States Armory |
| Macon, Ga August 11th 1862 |
|
|
|
Col. J. Gorgas |
| Chief of Ordnance |
| |
| Colonel, |
| The position of the site upon which I am
erecting temporary buildings admits of the laying of a branch line of
rails from the Macon & Western R. R. at comparatively small cost,
considering the great advantage to be derived from such a facility for
receiving and shipping machinery, materials &c &c. |
| The premises I now occupy for Govt
purposes comprises the site of the former Depot of the above mentioned
R. Road, and to which point the rails were laid, until the removal of
the Depot, to the lower part of this city, at which time the rails were
taken up. The only expense of relaying the track will be in the cost of
materials and labor in laying sills & rails, -- the grading being all
quite in order for the desired purpose. The length of the proposed
branch rail will be about 800 yards and the estimated cost about
$3000.00 laid with old flat rails {about 30 lbs
per yard}. I shall require cord wood in considerable quantities,
for fuel for steam purposes, and coal for smiths' use, al of which must
be brought to this city by rail, and the economy of being able to run
the cars into the Armory will be obvious. When these temporary works are
abandoned, the proposed track can be taken up, and made use of in
connection with the permanent works. I am informed that there is now at
Columbus, Ga a large quantity of flat rails which was seized by the Govt
and turned over to the Navy Dept, and is now controlled by Mr Minor, in
connection with the contracts given out to the new proprietors of the
Etowah Iron Works in this state. If about 25 tons of this iron could be
turned over to me it would greatly facilitate the laying of the proposed
tracks, and if you approve of the laying of it as suggested, I
respectfully request that you will take steps to have the above iron
turned over to me, I have been in consultation with the Supt of the
Macon & Western R. R. over this subject, and have arranged with him to
lay the track and complete the work in a short time, if duly authorized,
and I enclose herewith a copy of his estimate of the cost of the whole
complete ready for use. I also enclose a sketch showing the positions of
premises, the proposed track &c &c -- taken from the map of the city of
Macon, by which you can readily comprehend the proposed improvement. The
M&W R. R. Co. will require the Govt to enter into an agreement to pay
all damages that may result from accidents on the company's road,
resulting from any neglect or carelessness upon the part of the agents
or employees of the Govt, in connection with the switch leading to the
proposed siding. And to which I can see no objection, as all owners of
private sidings are similarly bound. Of course the fact of neglect would
have to be proved before the Govt, could be held responsible.
Respectfully requesting your sanction to the proposed improvement, and a
reply at your earliest convenience. |
| I have the honor to be |
| Colonel |
| Respectfully Your obdt Servant |
| James H. Burton |
| Supt of Armories |
|