| Confederate States of America, War Department |
| Richmond, August 12, 1862 |
| |
| His Excellency Jefferson Davis |
| President of the Confederate States |
| |
| Sir, |
| Although it is not customary
for the heads of Departments to make reports at extra sessions of
Congress, yet, in consideration of recent changes in the
organization of the Army, and of the necessity for further
legislation, it is deemed best to depart from this usage on the
present occasion. |
| *** |
| A right to control the operations of our
railroads to some extent is necessary to insure quick and safe
transportation and to maintain the roads in a proper state of
efficiency. The regular transportation of the roads is so much
deranged by the movements of troops and munitions of war that a
common head during the war is indispensable. I recommend that
application be made for authority to exercise such control as may be
necessary to harmonize the operations of the roads and to maintain
their efficiency, and to appoint a superintendent who shall be
charged with the supervision of railroad transportation.
|
| Very respectfully, your obedient servant, |
| Geo. W. Randolph |
| Secretary of War |
|