| Confederate States of America |
| Quarter Master Generals Office |
| Richmond Jany 5th 1864 |
| |
| Hon. James A. Seddon |
| Sec. of War |
| Richmond |
| Virginia |
| |
| Sir, |
| The enclosed account amounting
to $16,500 in favor of the Memphis & Ohio Rail Road Co. for its
proportion of the expense in constructing a rail road through the City
of Memphis in March 1862 by order of Lt Genl Polk, "for the
purpose of assisting in the rapid movement of troops to any road that
reinforcements might be needed, and also to carry supplies &
ordnance through without delay, and for the benefit of rapid
evacuation of Memphis'" has been presented to this officer for
settlement. |
| By the affidavit of Saml. B.
Jones, Genl. Supt of the said road, it appears that the vouchers of
the bill were filed in a box in his office and fell into the hands of
the enemy when they occupied Memphis, which may, I suppose, account
for the claim not having been laid before Maj. Anderson, as he would
not, in all probability, have settled the case in the absence of the
subject sub vouchers. |
| The road appears to have been
built for military purposes, exclusively; and the claim is correct
against this department, but in the absence of the bills and receipts,
knowing the amount paid by the Co. I do not feel authorized to order
the payment thereof unless with the sanction of the War Dept., which,
under the impossibility of now recovering ??? the bills and receipts,
I would recommend be given. |
| The road seems to have been
constructed jointly by the Memphis & Charleston, Memphis &
Ohio, and Mississippi & Tenn. Rail Road, the former of which has
been paid its proportion by Maj. W. F. Anderson, amounting to
$15,138.40 |
| The papers are respectfully
submitted for the consideration of the War Department. |
| I am Sir |
| With high respect |
| Your Obt. Servt. |
| A. R. Lawton |
| Quarter Master General |
| {on reverse of
document} |
| Q. M. General |
| Payment to be made |
| By order |
| J A Casfesk |
| ASW |
| 8 Jany 1864 |
| |
| {enclosed bill} |
| Confederate States of
America |
| To Memphis & Ohio
Rail Road Co |
| 1862 |
Building of Rail Road through Main Street
Memphis by order of Genl Polk |
|
| March |
Cash paid out as follows |
|
|
R. C. Brinkley, Prest. M&LR RR {Memphis
& Little Rock RR} for Iron |
$7000.00 |
|
W Leadbetter Hauling Iron |
500.00 |
|
Jno Govis
" Cross ties |
1650.00 |
|
H L
Bannister
"
" " & timber |
1400.00 |
|
Jno Norris Crossing Plank |
1000.00 |
|
Brooks & Phelan Casting Frogs & C |
350.00 |
|
Prest & Construction of Spikes & chairs |
2600.00 |
|
Blacksmith work Labor |
|
|
Hauling Engineering & C |
1000.00 |
|
W. H. Stephens Labor |
1000.00 |
|
|
$16500.00 |
|
| {the cost of the iron
indicates about 1 mile of track, both sides} |
| {enclosed affidavit} |
| The Rail Road through Main
Street in the City of Memphis was ordered to be built by Maj. Genl.
Polk Commanding Department of Mississippi for the purpose of transferring
the Rolling Stock of on Rail Road to another for the assisting in the
rapid movement of troops to any road that reinforcements might be
needed. Also to carry supplies and Ordnance through without the delay
& labor of unloading & hauling by wagons and more especially
for the rapid & silent evacuation of Memphis. The work was
completed within the time specified and used for the purposes ordered. |
| The vouchers of the Bill in
detail are filed in the Books of the Genl Superintendents office &
fell into the hands of the enemy at the time they occupied Memphis.
The account has never been paid or settled in any manner. |
| Sam B. Jones |
| Genl Supt |
| Mem & O. R. R. Co |
| subscribed & sworn to before me this
22nd day of October A. D. 1863 |
| C. E. Rapier |
| Judge 6th Circuit, Ala. |