| Petersburg, Dec. 5th, 1863 |
| |
| Brig. Gen. A. R. Lawton |
| QrMaGenl |
| |
| Sir, |
| Yours of the 1st Instant is received and
I am pleased to learn that the cause for Major Morfit being relieved
at this post was not what I supposed it to be. My only object in
voluntarily writing to you on the subject was to exculpate an
officer from blame for an act, the facts of which I was cognizant. I
have no intention of bringing outside performance to bear on the
case of Major Morfit but only to do him justice. |
| Please refer to my letter of the 25th Ultimo;
I did not intend by any expression in that letter to claim control
of the government track through Petersburg, or any control, but to
do what has ever been the practice, to unload private freight at our
depot, except in a few instances and under extra ordinary
circumstances. |
| While I have no control and have uniformly
declined to assume any over the Government track, you must admit
that I have control of the transportation over my own road. And when
I state the fact that this road is owned mainly by the City of
Petersburg and its citizens, you will see the propriety of my
insisting upon the observance of the conditions on which the
Government track through Petersburg was built, as will appear from a
resolution of the Common Council now enclosed. |
| Respectfully |
| Your obedient servant |
| C. O. Sanford |
| President |
| {File data on fold} Qmgl.
Dec 8, 1863 |
| Respectfully referred to Maj Sims |
| By order Qmg |
| W. F. Alexander |
| Major Asst to QMG |
| C. O. Sanford |
| Petersburg Va |
| Dec 5 1863 |
| Explains his object in writing in regard to Maj
Morfit.
States that was not to bring outside pressure to bear in favor of Maj
M but knowing Maj M. & the facts of his case was only desirous
to do him justice. Encloses copy of Resolution of the Council of
that City in regard to rail roads through the streets |
| Maj Sims |
| BK 9 |
| Received Dec 9 1863 |