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Office of the Miss. & Tenn. R. R. Co.
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| Granada Miss. Feb. 2nd 1863 |
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| Lt. Genl. Pemberton |
| Comdg. Dept. Miss. & E. La. |
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| General, |
| We have just received your
order to suspend further work on this Road, and in that connection
would respectfully call your attention to the following facts -- |
| In obedience to your order
directing the work to be done, and to be hurried forward as speedily
as possible, a contract was made for all the "Howe Truss"
bridging necessary to reopen the Road. In addition to this, a force
was raised & put to work on the smaller structures, one of which
is about completed and two others considerably advanced. These less
important structures are the simplest and cheapest work which can
possibly be constructed, consisting of a trestle founded on piles and
built of Green Oak Timber, or what is known in Engineering as a
"Pile Trestle." |
| The first three of these
structures will be completed in a short time probably 2 weeks, thereby
opening the Road to Yockany River, 28 miles from this place. These
trestles being of Green Timber and also from the nature of their
construction, can be destroyed only with the greatest difficulty, it
being impossible to burn them, as has been proven by an attempt of the
enemy to burn the trestle over Coldwater River, on the line of this
Road, they having failed to destroy the new work in that
instance. |
| The "Howe Truss"
bridges which are required to cross the Yockaney & Tallahatchie
Rivers are the only structures which are easily destroyed and are at
the same time the most expensive. |
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The timber for these bridges is to be sawed out by mills
located on the line of the New Orleans, Jackson & Great Northern
Railroad, below Jackson Miss. and for which contracts have been made
including also the framing &c necessary to complete the two
bridges.
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With this statement of facts, we would respectfully
represent and request, 1st that money sufficient to complete the three
smaller structures be furnished, a large portion of which the Company
have already rendered themselves liable for. This will not require
more than four thousand Dollars ($4000) thereby opening the Road for
supplies &c, twenty eight miles at a very small expense and in a
manner which is almost secure from destruction.
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2nd That the timbers for the Bridges across the Yockaney
and Tallahatchie Rivers, be got out at the points specified above and
the bridges framed and put in readiness to throw across the Rivers at
a moments notice. This will secure the more prompt and speedy
reopening of the Road when in your judgment it shall become safe and
necessary.
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In this way the more expensive portion of the work will
be done at points relatively safe from Federal invasion and at the
same time the objects to be attained (the reopening of the Road) will
be advanced.
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The bridges when framed can remain at the mill until we
are notified to go on with the work and the timber becoming seasoned
renders it much more serviceable.
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It may not be necessary to remind you that in compliance
with your order to go on with the work, the Company have made positive
contracts for the bridges and are now financially bound to fulfill
their part of the obligation, while at the same time we have not the
means sufficient to carry on the work except through the assistance of
the Government.
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We hope you may view this matter in its proper light and
take into consideration our obligations and financial condition,
giving us all the assistance which in your judgment would be
compatible with the public interest.
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We think that the manner proposed, would both enable the
Company to fulfill its obligations, and at the same time be hastening
the completion of the work without running the risk of its
destruction.
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The amount of grain and other supplies along the line of
this Road is almost inexhaustible and the reopening of the Road would
be of incalculable advantage to the Government and to the public.
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Further work on the Road will be suspended until we hear
from you which we request may be at an early day.
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Respectfully Your
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Obt Servt.
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F. M. White, Pres.
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{on reverse of the letter}
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F. M. White
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Grenada Miss
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Feby 2 1863
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In reference to work on the Miss & Tenn RR
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Received Feby 5/63 and replied to Feby 6/63
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JCP
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LT Gl
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