| Engineers Office |
| Houston Sep 29, 1863 |
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| Capt E P Turner |
| A A G |
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| Captn, |
| By the advice of Maj Bloomfield Chf Qr Mr
I have thought it best to address the following communication directly
to you, instead of sending it through the Chief of this department,
the usual channel. I found upon passing over the Texas & New
Orleans Rail Road, on my return to this place on Saturday last, that
the rail Road Bridge over the Trinity river was in a very dangerous
condition being at present only on temporary supports. |
| This Bridge was washed away by the freshet
in February last and has been since partially rebuilt, but for the
want of Carpenters, has never been completed. The amt of work
remaining to be done is very small, but of such a nature that
the bridge is liable to be washed away with the first freshet. |
| I would respectfully suggest, that
instruction be at once given to the President A. M. Gentry to complete
this bridge immediately. Twelve Carpenters being furnished him for
that purpose. |
| I would further report that the road from
this place to Liberty is in good order, but that from Liberty to
Beaumont is in a very bad condition, and will be altogether impassible
in rainy weather. |
| I would respectfully recommend that the
President be instructed to concentrate on this portion of the road,
all his labor with the exception of that at work on the Neches Swamp,
and put it immediately in running order. |
| Very Resp Your Obt Sevt |
| E. L. Heriot |
| Capt & Inspt R Rds |
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