|
Jackson
|
| Jany 20, 1863 |
| |
| Lt Genl Pemberton |
| Vicksburg |
| |
| Genl |
| I had a conversation today with Sam Tate
President of the M. & C. Rail Road Co. If he can be clothed with
proper authority I think his services can be obtained as Military
Superintendent of Rail Roads west of the Alabama river, which he
thinks is quite enough for one man. He is a man of great intelligence,
indomitable energy and excellent judgment, and if you can secure him
you may count yourself fortunate. Maj Thompson, knowing him will ???
can tell you all about him. |
| Mr. Tate informs me that there are large
quantities of subsistence & forage in De Soto and surrounding
counties, that can readily be got out if the Central & Miss &
Tenn RR be repaired as promptly as they should be. In this connection
he gave me the name of A. L. Maxwell, of Chattanooga, as an excellent
and energetic Bridge Builder, who has one hundred efficient hands with
all the necessary tools. Mr Tate thinks that Mr Maxwell, could in a
very brief period repair all the bridges on the roads named & in
connection with this subject he says that some 25 to 60 miles of Rail
road Iron can be secured with which the Southern Road can soon be put
in good order, and thus increase its efficiency. |
| Mr. Tate is at ??t, he informs me, under
the orders of Genl Bragg, but pressure that officer can have ???
little ??? for him. |
| Mr. T left this morning for Demopolis,
Ala, where he will remain about a week. |
| I have the honor to be Genl |
| Respectfully Yr obt svt |
| W. H. McCordle (?) |
|