|
Richmond July 31st 1863 |
| |
| Col. J. F. Gilmer |
| Chief of Engineer Bureau |
| |
| Col |
| The mode of disbursing money
under our Commission & of fixing responsibility is of such great
importance that it is necessary to have a general rule. It appears from
II of General 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 2nd Section of the Act of Congress published in
General orders No 37, that the "officer or person" impressing property
shall pay for it. But it appears to us an unnecessary risk to send money
to all the points where we have work to do. The Agents whom 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 & security. |
| If consistent with your views,
following plan is suggested. |
| 1 |
That you ask for authority to the Quarter Masters of the
most convenient post, to pay the expenses of taking up &
removing iron when requested by us to do so. |
| 2 |
That the value of the whole iron & other materials taken, be
paid to the proper parties in the City of Richmond, upon our
certificate. When one of us is near the scene of operations, we
can pay the money ourselves. |
|
| All money paid out by any
Quarter Master can be refunded by the Engineer Bureau to the proper
department in Richmond. |
| Very respectfully |
| Your ob. Servt |
| Chs. F. M. Garnett |
| Commissioner |
| |
| Engr Bureau July 31st 1863 |
| Respectfully recommended to the Sec. of War
for approval |
| J. F. Gilmer |
| Col & Chf Engr Bureau |
| |
| ApprovedJ. A. Seddon |
| Sec of War |