| Headquarters Military Division of the West |
| Charleston, S. C., December 20, 1864 |
| |
| Maj. E. Willis |
| Chief Quartermaster |
| |
| Major, |
| General Beauregard
directs me to inform you that he has communicated with
Brigadier-General Fry, at Augusta, Maj. Gen. Howell Cobb, at Macon,
and His Excellency Governor Brown, relative to the opening of the
lines of railroad known as the Georgia and Central {of
Georgia} Railroads, all of whom have been requested to aid
you in the completion of the line of communication. He directs that
you at once proceed to impress, according to law, the necessary
labor both to remove the iron from the branches to be used on the
main roads, and also labor for the main line. You will make
arrangements to ration the negroes and forage the animals necessary.
It has been decided to concentrate all the labor on the route from
West Point to Augusta via Atlanta, and open this line as soon as
possible. It is thought ten or fifteen miles of iron will be
required on the road between Augusta and Atlanta. This can be
obtained from the branch road between Mayfield and Camak. Beyond
Atlanta the same amount is required. This has been promised by Major
Meriwether. You will open communication with Major Meriwether at
once and get from him all the information that may be needed
respecting the iron, so that no delay can ensue relative thereto.
Communicate with Governor Brown and Generals Cobb and Fry and call
upon either General C[obb] or F[ry] for any guard you may need to
protect your working parties in the removal of iron. The main object
is to open the roads at the earliest practicable moment, that
provisions now so much needed may be pushed through, and to this end
let trestle-work be put up at once instead of bridges at such points
as require it. In the event the iron on the Mayfield and Camak
branch be insufficient, you will obtain it from the nearest source
practicable. |
| Respectfully, your obedient servant, |
| John M. Otey |
| Assistant Adjutant-General |
|