|
Office of the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad Company
| Richmond, August 1, 1863 |
| |
| Hon. James A. Seddon |
| Secretary of War |
| |
| Sir, |
| During the six months' occupation by
General Lee's army last winter and spring of the vicinity of
Fredericksburg it was often found that to transport to it the men,
munitions, and supplies which it needed taxed to their utmost
capacity the new machinery and depot accommodations in Richmond of
both this railroad and the Virginia Central Railroad. The severe and
constant use of that machinery, with little or no opportunity for
repairs, greatly deteriorated and disabled it, and has since made
some of it temporarily or permanently useless. The brief interval
since elapsed and the very great scarcity of mechanics have
prevented repairs which otherwise might have been made. And if all
the machinery of both companies were in good repair and at the
command of this company the want of adequate space and
accommodations at the Richmond terminus of this railroad (the first
constructed and by very far the most contracted in the State) would
render it impossible to perform the transportation exclusively on
this road and from its depot in Richmond required by such an army.
This is no theory, but the practical result of six months'
experience. These facts need no comment to demonstrate the present
importance--necessity, indeed--of protecting from interruption by
the enemy the Virginia Central Railroad not only at its South Anna
bridge, but between that point and Richmond, for had it been
interrupted and partially destroyed while General Lee's army was
encamped near Fredericksburg, as it was after it had passed into
Maryland, it would have forced on General Lee, for want of
communication and subsistence, a precipitate retreat to Richmond. To
afford this protection it seems absolutely necessary to have some
force stationed below Hanover Court-House, where the Central road
makes a great bend eastward, and probably near Old Church, Hanover,
supported by the expeditionary force posted beyond the North Anna,
concerning which I recently wrote to you, as well as by any force
which may be posted on the New Kent road or elsewhere eastward of
Richmond. All these forces from Caroline to New Kent would still
constitute a part of the force defending Richmond, and by the
railroads, if protected from injury, easily and rapidly concentrated
at any desired point, and also kept supplied from the stores sent
from Richmond.
|
| Hoping you may be able to secure to these
important means of transportation the security demanded by their
importance, I am, sir, with highest respect, your obedient servant,
|
| P. V. Daniel, Jr. |
| President Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac
Railroad Company |
| |
| [First indorsement] |
| Headquarters Department of Richmond |
| August 5, 1863 |
| |
| The best protection that could be afforded has
always been given to the railroads and will be continued if
possible. |
| Respectfully |
| A. Elzey |
| Major General |
| |
| [Second indorsement] |
| Adjutant and Inspector General's Office |
| August 8, 1863 |
| |
| Respectfully submitted to the Secretary of War. |
| H. L. Clay |
|