| Endorsement on letter from William Brooks
dated Marion Alabama 29 July 1863 Relative to removal of the remainder
of Iron on the Cahaba Marion & Greensboro Rail Road. Engineer
Bureau Aug 7th 1863. Resp. returned to the Hon Sec of War. I have
conferred with Lt. Col. St. Johns on the question of removing the iron
from the remainder of the Cahaba Marion & Greensboro Rail Road
& appreciate the force of the views presented by Judge Brooks in
the letter & by Mr. Whitsett Prest of the road as c??. Public
duties have called Lt. Col. Garnett from his office & I have been
unable in consequence to confer with him. It is thought possible that
with full support & assistance from Gen. Jso. E. Johnston commdg
the West. Dept. that the bridge over Pearl River at Jackson Miss may
be rebuilt in a temporary manner & thus make it practicable to
secure the rolling stock on the Mississippi Central Rail Road &
portions of the Rail Road bars. If this can be done then the iron from
the Road in question may be dispensed with. Until the proper inquiries
& efforts shall be made. I advise a suspension of the work for
removing the rails from the Cahaba Marion & Greensboro Road. I
will expect all possible assistance from Mr. Whitsett & his
influential friends in securing labor & material for the Pearl
River Bridge. I will correspond with Gen. Johnston & ask his
cooperation. |
| J. F. Gilmer |
| Col. Engrs & Chf of Bureau |
|