| Quartermaster General's Department |
| August 16th 1864 |
| |
| Mr. Gill |
| Supt. R. & P. R. R. {Superintendent,
Richmond & Petersburg RR} |
| |
| Sir, |
| I beg leave to call your
attention to a telegram from you to Maj. E. B. Branch on 7th inst in
which you insist that "all orders placing Engines & cars in
jeopardy must come from the Q. M. Genl." etc. It is not contemplated
in this organization that the Q. M. Genl. should make specific calls
for trains & perform the ordinary duties of a post or
transportation Q. M. This Bureau can only give general supervision, establish
rules and regulations for the government of its Officers, and approve
or disapprove of such acts as are brought to its notice. The fact that
your road has one terminus at Richmond does not change its relation to
this Dept. You will readily perceive how unreasonable this demand
would be if your Road happened to end at Mobile instead of Richmond.
Major Branch has full authority in the premises and within the sphere
of his duties, his acts will be approved by this Dept.; In connection
with this subject, I beg leave to call your attention to the inconvenience
arising from the want of a responsible Officer of you Road at the
Petersburg terminus, who can respond to calls made in cases of
emergency. The condition of the country does not justify the rigid
adherence to Bye-laws of Corporations, made for their Government in
times of peace & quiet. I am informed that such calls have been
forwarded to Richmond and the President being absent & the Supt at
his country seat much delay & embarrassment have been the
consequence. This is avoided on all other roads by having a competent
agent to respond at either terminus who is directly responsible to the
Supt. I regret calling your attention to these matters, as your Road
has, until recently, given as little cause of complaint as any in the
Confederacy. My attention has also been called to the refusal of your
Co. to receipt for freight delivered to you at "Dunlops,"
the present terminus near Petersburg, on the ground that it is not a
regular depot. This is the first time any Road has taken this
position, and I am sure a little reflection will convince you that it
is not now tenable. The Govt. will not require the R. Road Co. to
receive & store freight where it has no facilities for the
purpose. But when the Cars take it anywhere we must insist on
holding the Company responsible. I trust there will be no further
obstacles interposed in this hour of need. |
| A. R. Lawton |
|