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Confederate States, Quartermaster's Department
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| Railroad Bureau |
| Richmond |
| Feby 21st 1864 |
| |
| Brig. Genl. A. R. Lawton |
| Q. M. G. |
| |
| General, |
| The army embraces all the blacksmiths and
machinists that are now available to restore the broken down and
rapidly depreciating machinery upon railroads. My previous
applications have been for one or two men at a time, {line
missing on the fold} must have these men
and have them liberally or transportation will daily grow worse. The
roads not only need liberal supplies of men but they need them
permanently so that work can go on without interruption. A machinist
in a shop is worth double as much to the army than one in the ranks.
In the shop he contributes to the comfort and security of the whole
army, in the ranks he is no more than another who never handled a tool
in his life. |
| I am, General, |
| Very respectfully |
| Your obdt svt |
| F. W. Sims |
| Lt. Col. & Q. M. |
| |
| {on reverse of document} |
| Q. M. G. O. |
| Feby 24/64 |
| Approved & respectfully referred to
Hon Sec of War |
| A. R. Lawton |
| Qr Mr Gen |
|