NA, G 8/9/1864

Georgia Rail Road

August 9 1864
 
Lt Col F. W. Sims
Richmond
 
Sir,
   We have not yet secured any money from the Govt. I assure you I am unable to purchase provisions for our men and do not see how the business can be carried on much longer unless the Govt pays us at least $300 000 to meet our most pressing claims on labor and supplies.
   The Credit of the Road of course is good, but parties have refused to sell provisions to the Road, as it could not fix a definite time for paying, and they wanted the money on call. 
   Gen Hood calls upon us to put our Road in order. The Raiders have destroyed several miles of Iron. We have not the smith force to straighten the Bars, and besides it would consume too much time, neither have we spikes. I understand that the Navy or War Dept have some spikes on the Military's City Rail Road.
   We shall require 500 tons of iron & spikes to lay it.
   Can you arrange for our obtaining it?
Yours Resp'y
Geo. Yonge
Supt.
 
   The $300 000 asked for immediately is to pay for supplies purchased by the Road in March and April --  Wood, Ties & Provisions -- leaving us in debt for supplies furnished in May, June & July. And I fear that the parties will refuse to furnish us unless we do something for them. I know of many who cannot continue to do it, and we ought to have from 500 to $600 000 to carry on the business efficiently.
   Capt. Friggell has hithistr paid us on account and I hope you will be able to have him post in funds, at the same time directing him to give us means enough to carry on the business.
   He has audited our a/c up to June 1st.
G. Yonge
Supt.

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