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Office Richmond & York River Rail Road Company
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| Richmond, August 22nd 1863 |
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| Major J C Maynard |
| Quarter Master |
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| Dear Sir, |
| Immediately after our recent conversation
in regard to obtaining cordwood along the line of this road for your
Department, I learn from Captn Missger one of your assistants that he
will begin at least ten thousand cords of wood over this road to
enable him to fill your orders for the hospitals and other Government
purposes in this city. On inquiry I find the land owners along the
line of this road withal and indeed anxious to meet the requirements
of the Government in this respect. But it is impossible for them to
obtain the necessary labor, free or slave, to fill and prepare the
wood for shipment. No picunious compensation, however large, will
induce slave owners, except to a very limited extent, to allow their
slaves to be employed along the line of this road, lest they may
escape to the enemy, the opportunities for which are very abundant,
and free Negroes as well known, especially in these times cannot be
ordered to work for the benefit of the Government, ??? by the strong
arm of military power under these circumstances, the supply of wood
over this road during the coming fall and winter laid by far short of
Capt Misigers requirements unless some plan can be devised to obtain
the necessary labor to cut it. On inquiry at Castle Thunder, I learn
there are now classified in that prison 32 free Negros, ??? of
Virginia, and 36 from the United States. Why are consumers at this ???
of Government, and producing nothing new, I ask that some thirty or
forty of these Negroes be turned over to me, upon such turns and
used for such regulations as may be agreed on ??? other Government and
myself, to be used in cutting and transporting wood to this city for
your Department during the ????? |
| If you can obtain this force for me you
????? |
| ??? Very Respectfully Yours |
| Alx Dudley |
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