| Confederate States of America |
| Bureau of Conscription |
| Richmond, Va., June 20th, 1863 |
| |
| Capt. F. W. Sims |
| Railroad Bureau, Adjutant General's Office |
| |
| Captain, |
| Your attention is respectfully called to the circular
of the 10th ultm from the War and Navy Department, which I consider to
cover the case, noted in conversation by you a few days since, and of
the existence of which I was not then aware. |
| You can, therefore, inform the Railroad Companies, that such is the
opinion of this Bureau, and that on your representation any exempt who
shall leave his employment without a proper discharge and written
permission from the proper officer of the Company for which he has been
working will be conscribed, and the Company giving him employment
without such discharge and written permission is liable to the penalty
stated in the Circular. These remarks are of course only applicable to
such railroads as have contracts with the Government, but it is supposed
that all are included in this class. |
| I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, |
| G. W. Lay |
| Lieut. Col., A. A. G., Acting Chief of Bureau |
| |
| Note -- The conversation referred to Lieut. Col. G. W.
Lay, was in reference to men exempt under the act, and in reply to my
enquiry whether they could change employees at will. This question is
thus settled by the proper authority, and managers of Railroad will be
governed accordingly. |
| F. W. Sims |
| Capt. & A. A. G. |
|