| Macon Ga. April 1st 1863 |
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Col J. Gorgas |
| Chief of Ordnance |
| Richmond, Va. |
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| Colonel, |
| ***** |
| I beg respectfully and earnestly to call
your attention to the vexed subject of transportation which threatens to
become by far the most serious obstacle in the way of progress both for
Col. Barton and myself. The Macon & Western R/R Co., upon whose line the
ground of the Laboratory lies, exhibit, through their Superintendent,
Mr. Tyler, a very friendly spirit with regard to transportation for this
work, but they lack cars, and unless some aid can be procured in this
direction I shall be unable to obtain bricks hauled to the grounds with
certainty or even moderate rapidity. The evil of having the bricklayers
suddenly thrown out of employment from time to time is obvious. I
proposed recently to Col. Wadley, A. A. Genl. to have turned over to the
Macon & Western R/R Co. a few of the ownerless cars (of such
roads as the Louisville & Nashville, Memphis & Ohio, &c) which are being
run about the various R/Rs, used by everyone and taken care of by no
one. He returned but an indefinite reply. |
| I would respectfully ask for such a
recommendation to Col Wadley to extend any aid in his power to the
railroads here in the way of rolling stock as may lead him to notice the
wants of hte Government at this point. |
| I am Colonel &c |
| J. W. M. |
| {J W Mallet Capt.} |
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