Confederate States of America, War Department
| Montgomery, April 25, 1861 |
| |
| The Presidents of the several railroad companies now
assembled in Montgomery, Ala. |
| |
| Gentlemen: |
| I avail myself of your presence in
this city to ask you assistance in arranging a plan for the
transportation of troops and material of war of every description to
any point within the Confederate States at which they may be needed,
and with the degree of promptness required in all military
operations. Having the entire confidence in the disposition of each
of you to aid this Government with all the means in your power, I
respectfully ask that you will take this subject under consideration
and arrange with the Quartermaster-General all necessary details, so
that he may be enabled to call upon you at any hour in the future
for such transportation on your several lines as the necessities of
the service my demand. |
| With great respect, your obedient servant |
| L. P. Walker |
| Secretary of War |
|