| From the Memphis Appeal |
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| May 4, 1862 |
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| The Military Transportation Bill |
| The bill recently passed by
Congress to provide for the prompt and uninterrupted transportation of
troops and munitions of war, over railroads, authorizes the appointment
of a military chief of railroad transportation, with the rank of
lieutenant-colonel. This officer is to hold his office at the pleasure
of the President, and to have a salary of five thousand dollars per
year. The military chief is required to divide the railroads of the
Confederacy into not less than two nor more than four districts, over
which shall be appointed a military superintendent. This officer ranks
as major, has a salary of sixteen hundred dollars per annum, and holds
office at the pleasure of the President. |
| The acting president and
superintendent of each railroad are to be the local military
superintendents of such railroads, and are to have the rank of major and
captain respectively, but without any compensation as such. Road masters
and conductors are to have the rank, but not the pay of first
lieutenants. Chief station agents and section masters are to have the
rank but not the pay of second lieutenants. |
| The military officers of the
railroads are to have complete and exclusive control of them, with full
power to establish such schedules as may be deemed necessary to secure
the safe and prompt transportation of troops and munitions of war.
Military officers desiring transportation for troops or munitions, are
required to give notice to the proper military officer of the railroad,
and it is made the imperative duty of each and all to be ready to move
at the appointed hour. |
| The general commanding a
department or a division, the chief of military transportation or of any
of the district military superintendents, may order the removal of the
whole or any portion of a railroad whenever in their judgment it may be
necessary to prevent it falling into the hands of the enemy. They are
also authorized to repair, extend or alter the roadway, structure or
machinery of any railroad, to construct side tracks, water stations,
warehouses, and other structures connected with railroads, and the cost
of those alterations, repairs or constructions shall be paid from the
treasury of the Confederate States. The value of the work performed to
the railroad company affected by it shall be determined by arbitrators,
and the amount charged to the company. |
| All officers of railroads who
fail to perform their duty are to be considered guilty of a military
offense. They are to be punished at the discretion of the court, one
part of the punishment being, however, removal from official connection
with the road. |
| Montgomery Advertiser |
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