| Richmond July 21st 1863 |
| |
| Col J. F. Gilmer |
|
Chief of Engineer Bureau
|
| |
| Colonel, |
| The mode of disbursing money under our
commission and of fixing responsibility, are matters of such great
importance, that it is necessary to have a general rule. |
| It appears from II of Genl. order No 85,
that we have the power of impressing being appointed by yourself the
Chief of the Engineer Bureau for that purpose. |
| It appears from the second section of
the act of Congress published in Genl orders No 37 that the officer
or person impressing property shall pay for it. |
| But it appears to us to be an
unnecessary risk, to send money to all the points where we have work
to do. The agents who we select to execute the work, are not always
the kind of persons, we would select to disburse money. It would be
better for the actual disbursements to be made by an officer, who
has given bond and security. |
| If consistent with your views the
following plan is suggested |
| 1st |
That you ask for the authority to the
Quartermaster of the most convenient post to pay the
expenses of taking up and removing the Iron when requested
by us to do so. |
| 2d |
That the value of the whole Iron and the other
materials taken yup be paid to the proper parties in the
City of Richmond upon our certificate. When one of us near
the scene of operations, we can pay the money ourselves. All
money paid out by any Quartermaster can be refunded by the
Engineer Bureau to the proper department in Richmond. |
|
| Very Resp Your obt Servant |
| Chas F. M. Garnett |
| Commissioner |
| |
| Engineer Bureau |
| July 31st 1863 |
| Respectfully Recommended |
| the Hon Sec of War for Approval |
| J. F. Gilmer |
| Col of Engineer Chf of Bureau |
| |
| Qr Mar Generals Office |
| August 3d 1863 |
| All Quartermasters will upon the certificate of Col
C. F. M. Garnett and Captain Walker of the Engineer Corps, or either
of them pay such bill as may be presented for expenses incurred in
taking up Iron &c, as referred to in the annexed paper. |
| A. C. Myers |
| Qr Mr General |