| Macon, Ga., Nov. 20th 1863 |
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Hon. James A. Sedon |
| Secretary of War |
| Richmond Va. |
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| The President of the Macon & Brunswick R.
R. Co, whose road terminates in this city, informs me that Major Minor
Meriwether, Commissioner for collecting and distributing iron, proposes
taking up the track of the M. & B. road removing the iron to other
roads. The President of the Co. desires from me and I believe from other
officers stationed here whose duties have led them to need
transportation over this road, a statement of its value to the
Government, and of the reasons which would render it undesirable to
remove the track if this can be avoided. |
| In accordance with their request I beg
leave respectfully to state that I have drawn and still continue to draw
large supplies of lumber and fuel from the country passed through by
this road, a country presenting a greater amount of untouched fine
timber than any other that I know of within convenient distance from our
great centers of industry in the Gulf States. Large supplies of lumber
have I believe been carried over this road for other important
government purposes. It might be rendered still more valuable to Govt by
adding some cars to its rolling stock, the limited amount of which has
been the principal difficulty in the way of more extended operations. |
| The removal of the iron from this
railroad, and consequent cutting off of communication with the country
through which it runs would decidedly embarrasses the operations of
Government works and those of Government contractors in this region. |
| I have the honor to be, Sir, |
| Very respectfully &c. |
| J. W. Mallet, Maj. |
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| Handed to President M. & Brunswick Railroad Co. |
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