| Engineer Bureau |
| Richmond, January 29th, 1863 |
| |
| Major Genl. G. W. Smith |
| Commanding &c. |
| Goldsboro, N. C. |
| |
| General, |
| I am instructed by Col. Gilmer, Chief Engr.
Bureau, to respectfully solicit your views in regard to the propriety,
and also the practicality of taking iron from any one or all of the
following named Rail Roads, viz.: The Roanoke Valley Road, from Ridgeway
on the Raleigh & Gaston to Clarksville, The Roanoke & Seaboard
Road {Seaboard & Roanoke RR},
especially the Eastern portion of it, The Norfolk & Petersburg
Road and the City Point Road {the eastern end of
the South Side RR}, which is only about 12 miles long. |
| There is a great want of iron to complete
that important link of Railway connection between Danville and
Greensboro, and it is thought that a portion, at least, of the
requisite quantity may perhaps be obtained from these Rail Roads,
without material injury to other interests. |
| An early exposition of your views will
confer a favor on this Bureau. |
| Very Respectfully |
| Your obt. Servt |
| A. L. Rives |
| Maj. & Asst. to Chf Engr. |
| |
| An identical letter was sent to
Major General S. G. French, Petersburg. |
|