Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia
| April
19, 1864 |
| |
| Hon. Secretary of War, Richmond, Va. |
| |
| Sir, |
| The letter of Lieutenant-Colonel Sims, of
the 21st ultimo, referred to me by you, was received, and I have
caused inquiry to be made to ascertain whether the mechanics for
whom he asks can be furnished. I am fully aware of the necessity of
increasing our means of transportation, and am gratified that the
subject has been taken in hand by the Government. On a former
occasion, when I was inquiring as to the possibility of building
cars, etc., I was informed that the machine-shops which had been
used for work of that kind were all engaged by the Navy Department.
I recommended that the cars should be constructed at those shops if
possible, as they had greater facilities than any that could now be
built, besides having mechanics connected with them who had skill
and experience in the business. In an interview with the Secretary
of the Navy I understood that he thought the work could be done at
those shops. If I am correct in this I hope that it may be
undertaken, not only to avoid taking so many men from service, but
because I am satisfied that the work can be better and more
expeditiously performed. I have no doubt that, in view of the
permanent importance of preserving the strength of the army and the
impossibility of doing so without transportation adequate to supply
it, the Secretary of the Navy will allow the necessary work of
building cars, etc., to have precedence over any work of his
Department less urgent and not immediately required, and that he
will contribute all in his power to save the withdrawal of men from
the field, where they are so much needed. I hope also that the
Department will see that every means of obtaining the proper
mechanics has been exhausted before calling upon the army for men. I
think that the facility of obtaining labor in the army sometimes
impairs the efforts of officers superintending Government works to
procure it elsewhere, but I am sure that you will require every
other means to be fully tried before resorting to our already
weakened ranks. In the present instance, if mechanics cannot
otherwise be had, they must be sent from the army, as the work to be
done is essential to its existence, but I see no necessity for
taking all from this army, now apparently more menaced than any
other. The benefit to be derived from the construction of these
cars, etc., will inure to all the armies, as it will relieve some of
those on the Southern roads now used to supply us, and I think that
if possible a proportionate number of mechanics should be drawn from
all.
|
| I have thought proper to bring these
suggestions to your attention, with the hope that you may be able to
give effect to them to the benefit of the service; but at the same
time I will meet the demand for these operatives as far as possible,
should you consider it necessary that all should be drawn from this
army, for, as I before remarked, the work must be done.
|
| I have now the names of 8 blacksmiths, 36
carpenters, 6 molders, 5 finishers, and 4 rollers and puddlers, who
can be had as soon as required. The other carpenters, it is thought,
can also be had, and possibly the remaining finishers and rollers
and puddlers, but their names are not yet received.
|
| I trust, however, that arrangements can be
made to spare some of these men, and in any case I hope they will
only be called for when actually needed.
|
| Very respectfully, your obedient servant |
| R. E. Lee |
| General |
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