| Engineer Bureau |
| May 19th, 1863 |
| |
| Colonel E. Fontaine |
| President Va. Central R. Rd. |
| Richmond, Va. |
| |
| Sir, |
| On the 7th of January 1863 the Hon. Sec.
of War, authorized Capt. E. T. D. Myers, Chief Engineer of the
Piedmont Rail Road to take fifty per cent of the unlaid iron of the
Va. Central Rail Road. |
| In consideration of the want of your road
& the earnest representations of yourself and Mr. Whitcomb this
call has been delayed thus far. The necessities of the Government
however compel action at this time but the following proposition is
offered as a substitute and it is hoped will prove much less burdensome
to the company. It is this. In lieu of the new iron called for on the
7th January 1863, you will please deliver at as early a day as
practicable at your depot in Richmond an equivalent length of old iron
which will be accepted as satisfactory compliance with the above
authorization of the Hon. Sec. of War. |
| An acknowledgement of this letter and your
early attention to the subject mater of it is earnestly requested. |
| Very Respectfully Your obt. Servt. |
|
J. F. Gilmer
|
| Col. of Engrs & Chf of Bureau |
| |
| Approved |
| Jas. A. Seddon |
| Sec. of War |
|