| Office Naval Iron Works |
| Columbus, Ga., Feb 2nd 1865 |
| |
| {No address on the letter} |
| |
| Sir, |
| I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of the 30th ult. |
| In reply I can only state that you are
already in possession of all the information I have with reference to
"Engines & Cars." |
| Allow me to state facts as I understand
them. I received an order from Hon. Secretary of the Navy dated Oct 6th
1864 to turn over to you such public property immediately connected with
and necessary to the "reception, transportation and delivery of coal."
In obedience to this order I visited Selma, and turned over to you the
Steamer "Iron King" and the unfinished steamer at Montgomery now called
the "Black Diamond," three coal barges, ten small cars (one damaged),
lots of trucks, wheelbarrows, shovels &c, and the coal then remaining at
Montgomery. |
| I also informed you of the following fact:
That Mr Jackson had sent forward an Engine which was daily expected at
Columbus when I left, that I had understood the Engine to be entirely
out of repair and that one of the driving axles was broken and would
have to be repaired. It was understood between us that I should
repair the engine before turning it over -- such assignment I
considered advantageous to the Dept. & certainly an accommodation to
yourself. |
| I call your attention to the following
extract from a letter written to you immediately upon my return from
Selma, Dated Nov. 1st 1864. |
| "I have inspected the Locomotive "Black
Dwarf" and find it a pretty hard case, and rather small. It requires
considerable repairs and general overhauling. I will try and have it on
the road by the middle of the month although it may be much later. I
will lose no time upon it as necessity compels me to get coal if
possible." |
| On the 18th of the month our men were
called to the field, consequently the repairs were not made as expected,
and of which fact you were advised. |
| I informed you further that Mr Jackson had
commenced the construction of several cars at the shops of the M. & W.
P. R. R. {Montgomery & West Point RR}, and
that the work was progressing -- it was understood that I should
complete the cars -- such an assignment being an accommodation to
yourself. |
| From my understanding of the above facts,
I was more than surprised to find my disposition to aid in the matter
so readily construed into disobedience of orders. |
| You said further ??tation of a similar
character and to render it unnecessary that the Bureau of Orders &
Detail should "enforce a compliance with my instructions." I have
directed all the work & materials for the cars in Montgomery to be
turned over to your agent at that place, The Engine is here subject to
your order. I will deliver it at the Depot of this place or send it to
Montgomery as you may prefer. I have taken the Engine to pieces, and
have repaired many of the defective parts, but much remain yet to be
done. I am boxing up the small pieces ready for shipment. I will send
them at once to the Depot although transportation may not be immediately
obtained. |
| The above mentioned articles comprise all
the property under my control belonging to or in any way connected with
the coal business, and I regret exceedingly they were not turned over
with the other property in strict compliance with my instructions from
the Department. |
| But I have acted more with a view to the
interest of the Department than to my own conscience in being relieved
from the aforesaid construction & repairs. |
| Very respectfully |
| Your obt Svt |
| J. H. Warner |
| Chf Eng C. S. N. |
| In charge |