| Richmond, Octr. 2d 1862 |
| |
| His Excellency Governor J. G. Shorter |
| Montgomery, Ala. |
| |
| Major A. S. Gaines, telegraphs that many
parties have withdrawn their negroes from the Alabama &
Mississippi {Rivers} Rail Road and
refuse to return them, that every effort to hire has proved
unsuccessful and that the work will be retarded for months, when
with an efficient force it could be finished by the 1st of November. |
| This work is of great importance, and I
must beg that you will use your influence with the planters to
procure labor. Delay may bring disaster to themselves. Can you not
appeal to them by proclamation? |
| G. W. Randolph |
| Sec. of War |
| |
| Sent by telegram |
|