| Headquarters Department of Western Virginia |
| Dublin Depot, January 25, 1863 |
| |
| Thomas Dodamead, Esq. |
| General Superintendent Virginia & Tennessee
Railroad
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| Dear Sir, |
| Major-General Jones, commanding this
department, has instructed me so to fortify the approaches to New
River Bridge, on the line of your railroad, as to enable the guard
he proposes to keep permanently at that point to defend it from any
cavalry raid that the enemy may organize for its destruction. These,
I hope, soon to see completed. East of New River, on your road,
there are several points, as the trestle-work and the bridges
crossing the Roanoke River, of minor importance, but yet of such
consequence that, if destroyed, the operations of your road would be
seriously interfered with, unless there were on hand means for their
immediate renewal. The resources of this army are not such as would
enable the commanding general to guard each bridge with a sufficient
force to repel an attack of the enemy's cavalry, and it is thought
that in such cases as I have mentioned, in which the repairs or
renewal could be completed in a few days if the timber was at hand,
it would be better if the railroad company would prepare themselves
for such an emergency. It is scarcely probable that a cavalry
expedition would be forwarded, at the risk they would encounter, for
the purpose of only destroying the bridges I have mentioned, but the
importance of New River Bridge might induce it, and, finding it
impossible to effect anything at that point, the enemy might turn
then attention to them. |
| May I ask the favor of an early reply to
this communication? |
| I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, |
| John M. Robinson |
| Captain of Engineers |
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