NA, ENG 11/17B/1862

Engineer Bureau
November 17th, 1862
 
The Hon. Secretary of War
War Department
 
Sir,
   In compliance with the instructions of the Hon. Secretary of War indorsed upon the enclosed papers, the 13th inst. I have consulted with the Quarter Master General as to the capacity of his Department to supply animals, carts and boots for the construction of a part of the Piedmont Rail Road, connecting Danville, Va. and Greensboro, N. Carolina, and I have the honor to submit the following supplemental

Report

It will be seen by the indorsement upon the accompanying papers, made by Colonel A. C. Myers, Chief Engineer of the Piedmont Rail Road has been authorized to draw from the Qr. Masters Department all spades, shovels, picks &c that can be spared, and that Capt. Johnston A. Q. M. has been assigned to the duty of collecting carts, horses and all transportation needs -- also, that Capt. Hawkins Asst. Qr. Master at Ridgeway, N. Carolina has been directed to give all the assistance he can in aid of the completion of the Road. 
   The number of animals and carts that can be obtained by Captains Johnson and Hawkins cannot be stated, as it depends upon the success these officers may meet with in procuring them.
   I enclose a copy of a letter from Lieut. Col. Larkin Smith, Asst. Qr. Master Genl. from which it will be seen that there has been furnished already, to Capt. E. T. D. Myers, Chief Engineer, Piedmont R. Rd. 
Shovels 500
Picks 300
and that there are still to be furnished to aid in the construction of the Road the following, viz:
Shovels 296
Spades 229
Picks 295
Axes   79
Making a total of 1699 Tools
   This number of tools will be sufficient to supply a working force equal to the increase proposed in the joint Report of Capt. Myers, Chief Engineer of the Road, and Edmund Wilkes, contractor, as a part of the increase would be employed in driving carts, removing materials, and other labor not requiring tools.
   Additional tools can be furnished by the Quarter Master Dept if the Engineer Bureau can get them repaired -- arrangements to this end can be probably made.
   With the resources of the Qr. Masters Dept. as just stated, I am of the opinion the Government could with safety undertake the construction of a part of the Piedmont Rail Road, on the plan suggested in my original report dated 10th November current, and returned herewith.
Respectfully Submitted
J. F. Gilmer
Colonel of Engrs & Chief of Engr. Bu.

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