| Quarter Masters Department |
| Petersburg November 29th 1864 |
| |
| Lt. Col. F. W. Sims Q M H |
| |
| Col, |
| Captain Robinson handed to me
yesterday your letter of the 26th inst. Mr. Sanford being out of the
city, I at once applied to Mr. A. G. McIlwaine, vice President of the
road, and informed him of your instructions to me to apply for the
detail of such men as were absolutely necessary to complete repairs to
the engines and cars of the S&R R {Seaboard
& Roanoke RR} Co. He at once informed me that
the two engines had been ready since the 7th inst, but he would gladly
avail himself of any assistance I might be able to render towards
hastening on the completion of any unfinished work. Today he sent me
the names of three mechanics required for this service and I promptly
forwarded the application for their detail to Head Quarters through
Col Corley Chf QM ANV. |
| I telegraphed you today that
the two engines "Virginia" & "North Carolina"
were last night taken through the city to the South Side depot.
Workmen are now stripping them for transportation on South Side trucks
{to go to the Piedmont RR, according to notes on the
reverse side}. Please advise the Q. M. G. of these points. {The
Seaboard & Roanoke RR had both a Virginia and a Carolina and it is
very likely that these were the two locomotives mentioned. The
Seaboard & Roanoke RR and Piedmont RR were 4' 8" gauge, but the South
Side RR was 5' gauge.} |
| Until I can hear from you the
prospects of getting some of Mr. Sanford's flats, I am using 6
belonging to the S & R RRd, but they may be ordered away at any
moment to the Piedmont road. |
| Very Respy |
| Your obdt servt |
| E. B. Branch |
| Major & QM |