| War Department, C. S. A. |
| Richmond February 28/65 |
| |
| To the President of the Confederate States |
| |
| Sir, |
| The enclosed paper {probably
NA, RR 2-11-65 or NA, RR 2-27-65}
is an estimate prepared by the Bureau of Engineers of the
amount that will be needed, during the year 1865, for the
construction and repair of Railroads for military purposes. |
| It is difficult to determine, in the
existing condition of the country, whether any or what portion of
the appropriation will be used. It may become necessary to complete
a Railroad in the Southern part of Georgia, or to extend a Railroad
in Florida, and to aid in the construction of a road from Union
Spring in Alabama to Montgomery and Selma, and to repair lines in
South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia as well as on the line
of the Tennessee river. It has been deemed better, under the
circumstances, to ask for a general appropriation, rather than for
one to be applied to specific roads. The appropriation of twenty-one
millions of dollars is recommended, with reference to the contingencies
of the war, and to meet the possible wants of the Engineer Bureau
and the public service. |
| Very Respectfully |
| Your obdt. sevt. |
| John C. Breckinridge |
| Secretary of War |
|