| Head Quarters Western Dept |
| Bowling Green Dec 29th 1861 |
| |
|
His Excellency |
| I. G. Harris |
| Governor of Tennessee |
| |
| Dear Sir, |
| Your letter of the 25th Inst
was received on the 26th Inst.: |
| I was not appraised until the
receipt of your letter that Col. Stevenson
{President, Nashville & Chattanooga RR} had the supervision of
the Louisville & Nashville Rail Road by your appointment: |
| If I had known he was regarded
as Genl. Superintendent of the road (from my knowledge of his great
experience in rail road management & my great personal respect for him)
I would not have directed a change of agents without a consultation with
him. |
| The agents who have managed
the road since my arrival have in October were appointed by Genl Buckner
with my sanction. Mr. Cole being appointed Superintendent, with Mr.
Whaling as assistant. Mr. Fleece being Superintendent of the Paris and
Clarksville road was continued, each road being represented by its agent
here. Without any knowledge that Col. Stevenson had any authority to
exercise any control. Genl Buckner required the Agents to report the
affairs of the road to Col. Stevenson and a Treasurer Mr. Chas G Smith
gave bonds and was appointed for Clarksville which I understand was
satisfactory to Col. S. and I presume Mr. Fuller was appointed in like
manner at Nashville for the Stockholders on the Main Stem. |
| The bad condition of the road
between this and Nashville, the destruction of rolling stock including
locomotives out of repair and unserviceable, frequent accidents and
detentions in consequence, and the bad habits of some of the employees
were frequently brought to my notice. It was manifest that a change was
necessary and one by which the best results to be obtained would be, I
judged, would be to bring some one here with more authority than either
of the respective agents had. I was willing that Mr. Whaling should take
the place, but he declined and Mr. Fleece was requested to take it and
he accepted it. I thought with reluctance. |
| Without enquiring or presuming
that blame should attach to any one for the bad condition of the road, I
have sought to change that condition for the better, for the benefit of
the Stockholders and that of the Confederate Government involved and I
hoped, as I had no information to justify any charge against any one, I
had affected the change without making any one feel that any
disparagement was intended. |
| I thought it peculiarly
appropriate that the financial and general control should be given to
Col. Stevenson, having charge of Govt. transportation at Nashville, as
part of his official duty, I am now willing to confirm him in the appt.
of Genl Superintendent of the road from this place to Nashville. |
| I however desire as I have
just placed Mr. Fleece here as Supert. with his wish or solicitation,
that he be continued as subordinate to Col. S. and I feel sure that he
will render a zealous and hearty cooperation. |
| With Great Respect |
| Yr Obt. Sevt. |
| A. S. Johnston |
| Genl. C. S. A. |