| Engineer Bureau |
| Richmond July 20th 1863 |
| |
| Hon James A. Seddon |
| Secy of War |
| |
| Sir, |
| Col Garnett has just informed me that,
Lieut Stuart Engrs who was assigned to the duty of collecting hands
for removing the iron from the Fredericksburg RRd {Richmond,
Fredericksburg & Potomac RR} beyond that city has
retd to Richmond reporting the impracticability of getting labor for
the purpose. Mr. Chas. I Seatt was consulted by Lieut Stuart, and
applied to for assistance, but he is of the opinion that labor cannot
be had near Fredericksburg. |
| I have now to earnestly recommend that
Col. J. C. Shields Comdt of Conscripts be authorized & instructed
to detail one hundred able bodied conscripts from the Camps near this
City (volunteers) to whom the daily compensation allowed by law will
be paid out of the funds for Engineer Service. I recommend also that
all the conscripts enrolled or to be enrolled, in Stafford, Spotsylvania,
Caroline & King George Counties be also detailed -- all said
details to report to Lieut W. D. Stuart Engr at Camp Lee and at
Fredericksburg. |
| I am Sir |
| Very Respy &c |
| J. F. Gilmer |
| Col Engrs & Chf of Bu |
|