| Headquarters Military District of Florida |
| Camp Milton
|
| March 30, 1864 |
| |
| Brig. Gen. Thomas Jordan |
| Chief of Staff |
| Charleston |
| |
| General, |
| I have nothing of special importance to
report as having transpired within this district since the departure
of the general commanding. A week ago heavy rains set in, which
damaged the railroads between Baldwin and Lake City {Florida,
Atlantic & Gulf Central RR} and Baldwin and
Gainesville {Florida RR} to such an extent that trains could not pass on the
former for three days after the occurrence and on the latter up to
this moment. As soon as it was known that the interruption to our
communication had taken place all the available force at my disposal
was put at once to work repairing the breaks in the road from Lake
City
to Baldwin. This being the road over which our supplies are obtained, it was
deemed important to put it in order without delay, which was
accomplished on the third day. As soon as the Lake
City
road was repaired the force was transferred to the Gainesville
road, the damage to which was now ascertained to be more serious
than was at first supposed. The trestle at Hatchet Creek was washed
up and so loosened from its foundations as to need a good deal of
work in order to make it safe for trains to pass over. This is now
nearly accomplished and the locomotive and train which was at Gainesville
at the time the damage occurred are expected at
Baldwin
to-morrow. |
| ***** |
| I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient
servant, |
| Patton Anderson |
| Major-General, Commanding |
|