| Engineers office |
| Houston Nov 9, 1863 |
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| Col V Sulakowski |
| Ch Engr &c |
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| Col, |
| I beg leave to call your attention to the
very wretched condition of the Locomotives on the BBB&C Railroad {Buffalo
Bayou, Brazos & Colorado RR}. On Saturday last, there was
no train sent west, because there was no Locomotive fit for use. |
| I now distinctly state, that unless a
competent master machinist be at once placed in charge of the rolling
stock on this road, that Government will be no longer able to depend
upon it for transportation. |
| The man I now recommend for the place, and
the only fit person I know of in the State, is, Danl. C. Smith, a
Lient in Co B. 2d Regt Tex Inf'y. |
| He is now in the City, but ordered to Camp
Bee. Smith sent on his resignation some time ago, and is anxious to
be Employed on this road. |
| If this road is to be kept in working order, this ???
must be put in charge of its machinery. ??? maintaining condition of
said machinery. |
| ??? me to beg your earliest attention to
this matter. |
| Very Respy Your Obt Sevt |
| E. L. Heriot |
| Cap & Insp Engr of RRd |
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| {on back of document} |
| Capt E. P. Turner |
| AAGl |
| Houston |
| Resptfy referred to Capt. C. M. Mason A. A. G. Lieut
Dan. C. Smith is ordered to report to Capt E. L. Heriot for duty as
Chief Machinist &c. |
| By order of Maj Gels |
| J Bankhead Magruder |
| Theodore Heermann |
| Adj't E. Dept |
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