| Office Mobile & Ohio R. R. |
| Mobile, Aug 3d 1864 |
| |
| Maj B. F. Jones |
| A. Q. M. |
| Care of Maj W. J. Anderson |
| Columbus |
| |
| Major, |
| When Sherman made his raid on
this Road in February last, a number of the Freight Cars belonging to
this Company were left on the Sidings above Meridian. Some of these cars
were out of order, and others could not be removed because the whole
available Motive power was being used in the transportation of
Government Stores which were in danger of being captured by the enemy. |
| All the Locomotives belonging
to this Company had been sent south of Meridian, and those
belonging to the Southern & Selma Roads to McDowell's landing so that
the enemy had no motive power to move the cars with, if they had
captured them. |
| A detail of three privates
were sent by order of Brig Genl M. H. Jackson to destroy all cars found
in sidings above Meridian, and twenty eight (28) were destroyed at
points the enemy never reached. |
| I respectfully ask that an
investigation be made of this matter and the facts be laid before Genl
Bragg. |
| Very Respectfully |
| Your obt Sevt |
| L J Fleming |
| Chf Eng & Genl Supt |
| |
| {on back of document} |
| Abstract |
| of so much of Inspection Report of Major B.
F. Jones A. Q. M. as relates to claim of Mobile & Ohio R. R. from report
of Inspection of officers etc at Meridian Miss (August 14/64) |
| Major Jones states, "I also
enclose you, herewith, a letter from L. J. Fleming Genl Supt. M&O R. R.
asking for investigation in regard to destruction of rolling stock on
the Mobile & Ohio RRd." |
| "It does not come within the
pale of my instructions to grant his request, but refer his letter and
proceedings of Stockholders meeting of said RR to which your attention
is invited." |
| The investigation is asked, by
Mr Fleming, on the grounds that twenty eight R. R. cars were destroyed,
by orders of Brig Genl W. H. Jackson, at points never reached by the
enemy, and that, even if the enemy had captured this rolling stock,
there was no means of moving it. |
| |
| Respectfully submitted to the Secty of War
with report and papers referred to. |
| By order Genl Cooper |
| C McRae Seopty AAst IG |
| ASIGO |
| Sept 17/1864 |
| |
| To QMG |
| For enquiry on ??? & remarks |
| JAS 19 Sept 64 |
| |
| Richmond Sep 27, 1864 |
| Respy returned to AMG. This property was
destroyed by order of Brig. Gen. W. H. Jackson and as he may throw some
light upon the subject would suggest that the papers be referred to him
for such information as he may be able to give. |
| F. W. Sims |
| Lt. Col. & Q. M. |
| |
| QMG Sept 30, 1864 |
| Respectfully referred to Brig Genl W. H.
Jackson (Army of Tenn) with the request that he give any information in
his possession bearing upon the claim |
| A. R. Lawton |
| QMGenl |