| July 25th 2 1/2 PM
{1861} |
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J P Wood Esqr |
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President {Memphis & Ohio RR} |
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Dear Sir,
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Your favor of this date in relation to reducing our
regular Business & instructions appertaining thereto; is this moment
received. I must confess that I am somewhat puzzled by its contents.
In the first place you order the Telegraph office in this Depot
closed immediately & then afterwards order an irregular train to
start, when all means of giving that order (except by letter) has
been cut off the train from Humbolt. You wish to proceed at once
to Memphis & yet I have no means left (if I discontinue the
Telegraph office here) to issue that order in time. Again, we now
have three irregular trains on the Road whose movements must,
or should be directed by telegraph and for whose safety, as well as
that of all irregular trains, I will not be held accountable unless
I have speedy means of controlling, their movements. I cannot
possibly think that Genl Polk has given this his consideration &
that the importance of the Telegraph for the safety of irregular
trains has been fully brought before him. If necessary to control
the Telegraph in my office I will issue orders that no message goes
over the wires except written & sent by me, and I believe that this
would be perfectly satisfactory to Genl Polk. Genl Polks orders are
that persons leaving the City by Railroad must obtain a Passport
from Head Quarters. Does this include Employees or not? Will it be
the Conductor's business or that of an appointed officer by Genl
Polk to see that all have passports? You mention that "no Passengers
passes over your train except those who may have passports" &c. Does
this include all points on line of Road as well as starting from
Memphis? |
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There are now three irregular trains with which I wish to
communicate in order to govern their movements. 1st train at Humbolt
to come South this afternoon, to be kept out of way of regular
trains. 2nd Wood train now acting as freight, between Humbolt &
Paris. 3rd Freight train which left Humbolt last night as a
passenger train for the River. If you will tell Genl Polk that it
{is} important that I have the use of
wire & Particularly in these irregular trains I will issue, & see
kept strict orders that no message is sent or received here except
through or by me. |
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Respectfully Yours |
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Bentley D. Hasell |
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Genl Supt |
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