| Richmond Va. Feby 4, 1865 |
| |
| Hon: Jas. A. Seddon |
| Secretary of War |
| |
| Sir, |
| I learned last evening that a party from
Norfolk, who has the facilities for bringing supplies thro the lines
of the enemy, offers to deliver articles necessary for the
maintenance of the rolling stock of our Rail Roads, at Murfees
Depot, the station nearest the lines of the enemy on the Seaboard
& Roanoke Rail Road to which our trains are now running, and
receive cotton at said station in exchange therefor. |
| The future efficiency of our Rail Roads
demands that no opportunity that can properly be availed of should
be omitted to secure supplies necessary for keeping up their rolling
stock, these supplies are indispensable if the Roads are to be
continued in operation, and much that we need can be had with great
difficulty or not at all in the Confederacy. |
| If the proposition be such a one as the
Government can sanction, I would respectfully suggest that
permission be granted for the passage of the supplies and cotton to
and thro our lines. |
| I do not seek or ask any connection with
the exchange proposed, save so far as to secure supplies for the
Seaboard Road, but should the proposition meet your approval, and it
be desired, I will be glad to give any aid in my power,
individually, or as President of the Seaboard & Roanoke R. Rd.
Co over whose line the cotton will pass to secure that the exchange
be confined to the articles mentioned. |
| I am very respectfully |
| Your obt Svt. |
| Sam M. Wilson |
| |
| {on reverse of letter} |
| Genl. Lee has urged most
earnestly that this trade be confined to supplies for the Commissary
Dept. The application is therefore delivered to inform the writer. |
| By order |
| J. A. Campbell |
| Asst. Secy War |
| Feb 6/65 |
|