| Wilmington & Weldon Railroad Co. |
| Office Engineer and Superintendent |
| Wilmington, April 19th 1862 |
| |
| Genl. S. Cooper |
| Adjt General &c Richmond |
| |
| Sir, |
| It has become of utmost
passing importance, if not necessity that additional mechanics be
employed to maintain our machinery which is now almost wholly employed
in transportation of troops and supplies for the Government. |
| I find it very difficult to
get any competent machinists and engineers. I am therefore constrained
to ask you to cause to be detailed for service in its shops and
on the engines of this company the following named machinists that were
raised & educated in our shops and are now attached as privates or
non-commissioned officers to the 18th Regt N. C. Vols viz George Price,
Thomas. J. Smith, Henry H Bryant, John McGuire & John McGrath. |
| I am respectfully &c |
| S. L. Fremont |
| Eng & Supt |
| |
| {included as an
enclosure} |
| Office Wilmington & Weldon Rail Road
Company |
| Treasury Department |
| Wilmington, N. C. Apl 19 1862 |
| |
| Genl S Cooper |
| Richmond |
| |
| Dear Sir, |
| I have read Col Fremonts
letter addressed to you. I concur in his views & think that the best
interest of the Confederacy will be subserved by conforming to his
request. Our works suffer for want of mechanics, these men named were
raised here & are the most desirable. I sincerely hope you will order
their detail Especially Bryant, who is in Capt Moores Artillery Company. |
| Yours Respectfully |
| W S Ashe {President
of Wilmington Weldon RR and C. S. Superintendent of RR
Transportation} |
| |
| {on back of document} |
| A, G. |
| Detail Thos. J. Smith, as recommended, but
not the others. |
| By order Sec War |
| A. T. B. |