| C. S. A. War Dept. |
| Richmond, Va Decr 28th, 1864 |
| |
| Genl Ro. E. Lee |
| |
| General, |
| I have the honor to acknowledge your
letter of the 26th Inst in reference to the delays encountered in
the Transportation of troops to Wilmington. They occurred entirely I
believe on the late connection from Danville to Greensboro and are
ascribed to some essential deficiencies in Rolling Stock and other
appliances for the road & to several untoward accidents. They are
certainly mortifying and might have proved disastrous. I had caused
as I thought and as the Q. M. G. reported every proper arrangement
to be made for its Transportation rapidly & securely of the troops
you wished to send, but my expectations were sadly disappointed. I
had anticipated your wishes in directing an investigation of the
causes of detention & a full report thereon and will transmit the
latter to you when received. I am on many accounts -- which you can
well appreciate -- very reluctant to take charge of this Road for
the Govt (which by a Secret Law of Congress I am authorized -- in
case of necessity -- to do) but I have instructed the Q. M. G. that
if he deems it at any time necessary, the road must be taken and
worked by the Government. |
| No effort or necessars on my part shall
be wanting to secure more promptitude and efficiency to the working
of this essential link in our Rail Road connections. |
| Very Truly Yrs |
| J. A. Seddon |
| Secretary of War |
|