|
Engineer Bureau |
| Richmond, 31 Dec 1864 |
| |
| Capt L. P. Grant Engrs |
| Augusta Ga. |
| |
| Captain, |
| An opportunity is presented of sending you
a letter by Mr. Nalle, who is about to return to Augusta. |
| You will have received my telegram placing
you in charge of the Rail Road repairs in Georgia, to be assisted by
Captain Hazlehurst & Capt Glenn, & such other officers as can be given
you by Gen. Beauregard & Colonel Clarke. You are also authorized to
impress labor & materials, and to do all things necessary to the rapid
prosecution of the work committed to your charge. Gen. Beauregard has
just informed me by telegraph that he has given orders for the removal
of the iron from the Mobile & Girard Road, for repairs of the
{Atlanta &} West Point Road. These orders,
it is presumed, were given to Col. Meriwether, the action to be on the
ground of existing military necessity. This it is hoped will save much
time. Your will please communicate with Col. Meriwether, asking him for
every assistance he can furnish. |
| The Secretary of War has instructed the
Bureau of Conscription to turn over to you at Augusta & Atlanta, or to
the officer named by you all the negroes impressed under the authority
for 20,000 laborers under Act 17 Feb 1864. But it is hoped you can
obtain labor by more rapid impressment along the lines of the respective
Rail Roads. |
| I am taking steps this morning to get
$300,000 placed to your credit at Augusta, to meet the expenses of the
work required. Should this be insufficient, notify the Bureau at once. |
| I have asked Gen. Beauregard to give the
Engineers every support he can, in pressing forward the repairs. Your
efforts should be confined to the Ga. & West Point Road exclusively,
until one through connexion is secured. Genl Beauregard says that the
"Engineer Dept at Augusta says it will take them until middle of May to
complete the connexion." It is hoped that by bringing everything to bear
within the scope of military authority it can be accomplished at an
earlier day. Gen B. added that Maj Willis hoped to complete the work by
middle of February. With proper support, the Engs can certainly finish
the repairs, as early as other agents who are less versed in the
construction of R. Roads. I rely upon you to do all that can be done in
the premises. |
| 100 Kegs Rail Road Spikes will be
sent to you at the earliest moment & if possible by Mr Joseph Nalle who
takes this letter. |
| Let me know your progress from time to
time. You will call on Col. Clarke for assistance whenever you think he
can aid you. |
| Very respy |
| Yr obt Svt |
| J. F. Gilmer |
| Maj Gen & Chf Eng Bur. |
|