| Columbia So. Ca. April 20th/62 |
| |
| Capt Downer |
|
|
| Sir, |
| You asked me to make out a Statement of my
delays on the railroads from Columbia to Richmond. The delay in
Charlotte was on account of not getting a car to put the Steel in. the
Agt told me that he could not spare a car for he had to keep them to
transport the soldiers that was passing through at that time. Mr
Kennedy the Government agt told me that he would send me on as soon as
he could I was delayed in Charlotte five days. The train that I went
on to Raleigh was on the way one night and day. I was delayed in
Raleigh two nights and one day. I got the steel reloaded and the agt
told me that it would go the next morning at four oclock without fail.
I asked him Coln Allen the agt if he thought I had better go on the
train with it he said no, for I could take the six oclock train and I
would meet the steel in Petersburg for the steel was in a Petersburg
car and it would go right through without fail. But as bad luck to me
the steel did not come as he told me. I had to wait four days in
Petersburg before it came. As I thought I done the best that was in my
power to do but it was my misfortune to be a long time in getting
through. |
| Respectfully |
| J. H. Bartlett |
|