Office of Mississippi Central Railroad Company
| Grenada, June 9, 1864 |
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| Maj. Gen. S. D. Lee, C. S. Army |
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| Dear Sir, |
| I find it almost impossible to keep
this road in safe running order for want of shovels, axes, and some
framing tools. The recent heavy trains north of this place has
covered the track with sand in some places to the depth of two feet,
and I can with difficulty obtain shovels to supply the few hands I
have in removing it. I am compelled, therefore, to ask again for
permission to send out a few bales of cotton to obtain railroad
supplies. Twenty-five bales would purchase all I could hope to get
out. Cotton is sent toward Memphis almost daily, and for every
purpose you can imagine, yet I will not move a bale except by
authority. I need labor on the road north of this place, and am
willing to pay for it. I want twenty hands for two or three months.
After the press of the farmers is over would you impress them for
me, we paying them? I cannot hire them. This I have tried in vain to
do. This road may or may not be of any benefit to the Government.
This you must determine. If it is or is to be, I must have labor to
repair it and tools for them to work with. |
| Yours, respectfully |
| W. Goodman |
| President |
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