| Quartermaster General's Department |
| Oct 27th 1864 |
| |
| Capt. Thos. R. Sharp |
| A Qr Master |
| Columbia, S. C. |
| |
| Sir, |
| I feel no little anxiety about the
successful working of the R. Roads between Augusta & Richmond;
those also which feed the main line on that route. I am induced to
believe that your experience & energy can be made available to
render efficient aid in this matter; especially to the Roads leading
from Columbia to Charlotte & Greenville respectively. These Roads must
be worked to their full capacity; & I desire you to exercise
such supervision over them as may be necessary to secure this result. |
| Whenever the Govt. freight cannot promptly
come forward, private freight & mail must stop; & you
will be sustained in the exercise of all proper authority for this
purpose. You will please consider yourself charged with the duty of
controlling Rail Road transportation, so far as the Govt. needs
require, at Columbia; & are desired to report promptly to this
Bureau any irregularity or inefficiency in the premises, with such
suggestions as to remedy as you may think proper to make. |
| It will be necessary for you to
communicate occasionally with Capt. Sims at Augusta, & Maj. Echols
at Charlotte, in order that you may be acquainted with their wants in
the matter of R. Rd. transportation. |
| I will rely on your promptness &
intelligence to save us from the consequences of any serious delay of
freight on that part of the line. The support of this Army depends
upon it. Please show this letter to Maj. Rhett. |
| A. R. Lawton QrMG. |