| Office of the Petersburg RR Co. |
| Petersburg Va 15 Nov 1864 |
| |
| Capt John M Robinson |
| Supt &c &c |
| |
| Captain, |
| I regret to have to call your
attention to the fact that Thomas J. Wells this Co's master Blacksmith
of their shop at Weldon N.C. has been demanded for military service,
under an application from the officer commanding Co. A, 9th Va Regt.
Barton's Brigade Pickett's Division endorsed approved by Gen. John
Withers Asst Adj & Inspector General. |
| In 1862 Wells enlisted in said
Co, but I believe has never served with it, as after enlisting he was
detailed to build wagons for the Govt, and after filling several
contracts with the Q. M. Dept. he was taken into the service of this Co
at the earnest request of its Master Machinist, and has been for several
months one of the regular exempts allowed to this Company and so
reported in their lists returned to the Conscript Bureau. |
| If Wells is taken from the
Company's shops at Weldon NC, they will be sadly crippled as he is the
only blacksmith, there, all others having been substituted by negroes. |
| Hoping you will give this your
usual prompt attention, I am Captain |
| Very respectfully |
| Your obt servt |
| Robt M Dunlop |
| Supt |
| |
| {on back of document} |
| Novr 19 1864 |
| Respy referred to Q. M Genl: It appears
that Wells has been returned in the list of exempts as allowed to each
RRd Company. The claim upon him is based on his having enlisted in the
9th Va Regt in 1862 although he has been out of military service nearly
since the date of his enlistment. He is the only white man in the RRd
Co's smith shop at Weldon. I know that he is a valuable mechanic that
his services are indispensable to the RRd especially at this time as
they are establishing their shops at Weldon from Petersburg. I trust on
further consideration he will be allowed to remain with the RRd Company. |
| Jno M. Robinson |
| Capt Engrs & Military Supt |
| |
| Approved and respectfully forwarded |
| A R Lawton |
| Qr Mr Genl |
| 20 Nov 64 |
| |
| Respectfully submitted to the Secretary of
War. |
| By order of A&I Genl |
| Jno. Withers |
| AAGenl |
| Novr 22/64 |
| |
| AG |
| Detail until further orders. |
| JAS |
| 22 Nov 64 |