| Engineer Bureau |
| Richmond, March 26th, 1863 |
| |
| To the Sheriffs of Essex, King & Queen, and King
William Counties, Va. |
| |
| Gentlemen, |
| This will be presented to you by Capt.
John A. Williams Corps of Engr. Provl. Army who is authorized to make
an earnest appeal to you to furnish the labor from your respective
counties necessary to the execution of the work contemplated on the {Richmond
&} York River Railroad. His work is essential to the public
defence & must be promptly done; it is considered of paramount
importance by Gen. Ro. E. Lee & as claiming priority over the
fortification being pressed forward as rapidly as possible. As their
essential work is convenient to your homes, it is believed the owners
of negroes will prefer to furnish the requisite labor on the road to
sending a corresponding force to work on the defences of
Richmond & Petersburg, if in this opinion however, the Govt. be
mistaken, then a part of the hands now working on the fortifications
will be sent to the Railroad and the labor from Essex, King &
Queen & King William Counties, will be called to supply their
places. It is probably that two weeks will be sufficient for the
accomplishment of all the proposed work along the York River Railroad. |
| I am Gentlemen &c |
| J. F. Gilmer |
| Col Engers & Chf of Bu |
| |
| Approved |
| J. A. Seddon |
| Secy of War |
|