| From the Mobile Advertiser & Record |
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| April 29, 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 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 from falling into the hands of the enemy. They are also
authorized to repair, extend or alter the roadway, structures or
machinery of any railroad, to construct side tracks, water stations,
warehouses, and other structures connected with railroads, and the
cost of these 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. |
| Mont. Advertiser |
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