| Engineer Bureau |
| Richmond, Mar 4th, 1863 |
| |
| Capt. E. T. D. Myers Engr Corps |
| Chf Engr Piedmont RR |
| Danville |
| |
| Captain, |
| Your letter of the 2d inst is recd. Our
practice in regard to impressed labor has been as follows. Payment
made to owner from the time the slaves left home, and the sixty days
labor requested from date of reception on work. No time is lost or
deducted for sickness -- when the hand runs away, the time so lost is
deducted. |
| In case of death, we pay only to time of
decease. |
| Payment is made up to the time the hand
leaves for his home. |
| It will be best for you to pay on a roll
to owners or agents with your company funds. Notice to that effect
should be given to owners. As the counties which furnished you hands
are in the region of country surrounding Danville it will be well, in
my judgment, to make payments in that town. |
| Very Respectfully |
| J. F. Gilmer |
| Col & Chf Engr Bu |
|