| Charlotte N. Ca |
| Aug 17th 1864 |
| |
| Genl S Cooper A&I Genl CSA |
| |
| Dear Sir, |
| The Charlotte & Columbia Rail
Road {Charlotte & South Carolina RR}, over
which is transported large numbers of sick and wounded soldiers, usually
have but two coaches with seats. One of them they reserve for way travel
and locals, and they refuse to permit those soldiers who have lost limbs
to go into it, although but few persons in it, and force them into box
cars without seats. |
| As soon as the cars on the N C
Road arrives those who are fleet enough rush into the cars intended for
travellers & fill it up, and the unfortunate are denied comfortable
seats. This morning there were but two coaches with seats. One was
filled with sick & wounded soldiers the other reserved as above stated.
I politely asked the conductor to permit the few maimed soldiers to
enter the reserved car. He flatly refused stating that he had orders not
to permit soldiers or anyone who did not have a lady with them to enter
the car and stated that there were box cars for them. I made him open
the car and put the maimed men, numbering four or five into the car. |
| I have just received a
telegraph from Mr Johnston, Prst of said Road, as follows, "I trust that
you will not hereafter interfere with the regulations of this Company,
which have been approved by my Commander of the Post you now occupy. Wm
Johnston Pres C&SC RRC" |
| He cites me to the act of my
processor. I respect them & will conform to precedents set by them so
far as I believe them right in the absence of orders from your office. |
| Since this has occurred I have
been informed by Dr Ashly Surgeon of Way Hospital that he has repeatedly
sent sick & wounded men to the road & they have sent back, on account of
seats not being furnished. |
| I have no disposition to
interfere with any RRoad regulation, provided I believe them to be right
and they have no order to guide them from your office. |
| I do feel that our Government
ought to, and believe they will, force the RRoad to give the preferred
seats to sick & wounded soldiers. |
| I hope you will give this
matter due consideration and forward me such orders and instructions as
will insure me against difficulties in the future. |
| Major Echols AQM informs me
that there are orders to the effect that sick & wounded must have
preference if so they now have never been handed over to me. |
| I am sir your most obt sevt |
| Wm J Hoke Col |
| Commanding Post at Charlotte N C |