| Morristown, December 2, 1861 |
| |
| J. P. Benjamin |
| Secretary of War |
| |
| I must inform you that in
several instances the military authorities who are in command of
troops and volunteers along the line of our road have taken
possession of our road and trains and forced our engines and cars
out of the face of regular schedules. This I will not submit to. I
have been doing all any man can do to promote the interests of the
Government and favor the speedy transportation of troops and army
stores along our line. |
| If this course is persisted
in by the military authorities any more, I shall on my part stop all
of our engines and cars immediately, and then if the Government
wishes to take possession of our road and control it, I shall not
object in any way whatever. I think it is my duty to inform you of
the facts. If we are permitted to manage and control our road, I
think I can do so better than any other parties. Please answer. |
| John R. Branner |
| President, East Tennessee & Virginia
Railroad |
|