| Engineer Bureau |
| Richmond Aug 5, 63 |
| |
| George H. Haslehurst Esq |
| Sparta Georgia |
| |
| Sir, |
| Your note of 27th ult. was received by me
only two days ago and I have without a moments delay sought an
interview with the President Lewis Harvy of the Piedmont R. R. road
from Danville to Greensboro N. C. the result of which is as follows,
viz -- Labor is much wanted by the company to finish the connection
and the Government views the Road as a military necessity. Both
company and the Government are ready to do every thing reasonable to
secure the completion of the work liberal price will be paid by the
company for labor thirty dollars per month & forward, the hands,
are now being offered by the company & to secure provisions, the
War Dept will order rations from Commissary Dept. With the hands we
want mules carts & implements all to be sent to Greensboro N. C.
The Piedmont Company will pay cost of transporting all to that place.
Will it not be possible in consideration of the pressure on the
Southern Rail Roads to have the mules & carts sent by the common
Roads across the county. Six hundred hands or more will be wanted&
it is desired that their overseers come with them. |
| Please make such preliminary arrangements
as you can, with a view to save time; but come yourself to Richmond
forthwith. The R. R. Directors meet the 13th & 14th inst. be here
in time to be present if possible. You have it in your power to do
much for our common cause. If the negroes can remain until Christmas
the Company will provide in addition to other compensation, a
reasonable amt of clothing. Shall hope to see you in Richmond by 13
inst. |
| Your obt svt |
| J. F. Gilmer |
| Col. Engrs & Chf Bu. |
| |
| {Written in the margin of the
letterbook} |
| at the time preparing the above
copy I have had an interview with Capt. Myers Chf Engr of Piedmont R.
R. who suggests that the ??? of the labor that you offer one pa??
making these hands under a contract & if this be so then ??? ???
difficulty on terms over a part of the work already undertaken by
other contractors who have failed to come up to terms for ??? want of
labor. Again I say I only mark upon you to assist to insure an early
completion of the noted R. Road completion. |
|