| Quartermaster General's Department |
| Oct. 27th 1864 |
| |
| Genl. Wm Mahone {President,
Norfolk & Petersburg RR} |
| Petersburg |
| |
| Sir, |
| Your two letters of 22nd were
handed me by Mr. Bird; & he has doubtless told you the result of
his visit to Richmond. As the question at issue referred to private
freight; & for its decision required an insight into details of
Rail Road management beyond the sphere of my knowledge. I saw much
difficulty in my undertaking its solution. Mr Bird suggested a
submission of the question to the Prest. of the Board of Public Works,
& I had Mr. C. Gumd? telegraphed to come down. Strange to relate
the parties all met, failed to arrange, & dispersed without
notifying me of what was going on. So that I had no opportunity to
interview for the purpose of trying to accommodate on the last resort.
Thus it now stands so far as I am informed. |
| But General, it is absolutely
necessary that the Govt. shall have the use of these trains. We
cannot sustain the army in Va. without them. The people of Richmond
& Petersburg cannot survive the winter without them. The first is
a matter which presses heavily on me officially; the latter is a
matter of general interest to us all. |
| Captain Robinson has gone to
Danville with Mr. Talcott {Superintendent,
Richmond & Danville RR and Piedmont RR}, & I hope they
will be able to arrange for the necessary "sidings." As soon
as I am informed that your trains are in this service, I will promptly
give orders as you desire, that you shall not, be interfered with, by
impressment or otherwise, except in such emergency as will justify the
interference of this Bureau or of the Sect. of War. I sincerely hope
& can earnestly suggest that you permit your trains to enter at
once on the service under the blind offer the Govt. has made, without
any further action on the part of this Bureau. The necessity is
pressing. It is proper that I should correct an error into which
you have fallen as to Col Sims offer. He did not agree to pay the
Danville Road full rates for the freight brought over by your trains;
but expressly told Mr. Talcott that his Road could only receive its
regular pay on this freight -- one half rates. |
| A. R. Lawton, Q. M. G. |
|