NA, SB&R 12/22/1864

Richmond Decr 22d 1864
 
General A. R. Lawton
Q. M. General
 
General,
   The Seaboard & Roanoke RRd Company has received an offer from a person engaged in the trade of Commissary Supplies for cotton & tobacco on the Blackwater to deliver at Franklin Station any rail road supplies or pieces of machinery of not greater weight than one thousand pounds for any single article, the values of which are to be estimated at current specie rates prior to the war, and to be paid for in cotton similarly estimated.
   In evacuating Portsmouth the Seaboard Company lost their entire shop machinery: Both they and the Richmond Fred & Potomac RRd Company would be glad to purchase machinery and supplies on the terms offered. I respectfully ask for permission to trade for these two Companies for such supplies as they may need.
Your obt Servant
Jno. M. Robinson
Director & Gen. Supt.
Seabd & Roanoke RRd Co
 
{on back of the letter}
This application is respectfully submitted to the Secretary of War approved. I suggest further that Captain Robinson be instructed to under take service in his official capacity to other Rail Roads to be predicated by them
Qr Master Genl
AR Lawton
Qr Mr Genl
25 Dec 64
 
To Com Genl
   Can this be managed without interfering with your operations and on a common understanding as to rates etc
Jr Seddon
Secy of War
25th Dec 64
 
Resp Refd this Chief Cos of Va. to Maj R Tannahill CS for remarks
By order
J. N. Ddley Jr
Major & CS
Dec. 28, 1864
 
Off Chf CSSch Dist Va
Petersburg Va
Janry 5th 1865
Respectfully returned through ChfCS of Va.
   The precedent established by granting the within application will in my opinion cause other RRd Cos Agts of Cotton Mills, Flour & Corn Mills, Foundries, &c to claim the same privilege.
   If it is possible to secure the supplies required through any other channel than that proposed, I recommend that every exertion be made to do so. Applications of a similar kind have been made direct to me, and in every instance I have disapproved on the ground that the wants of this Dept were imperative. Through Gen Lee arrangements have been made to supply all the RRd Cos in Va & N. C. with meat for their employees, by allowing cotton & tobacco to pass into enemy's lines in exchange therefor. Every facility will be given in good faith in accordance with this understanding, which added to the demands on this Dept must necessarily take a larger quantity of cotton to comply with contracts. If this traffic should be permanently established & the anticipated benefits desired then such necessary articles as cannot be otherwise obtained can be had through this source for Rail Roads. If the application is granted I recommend that the supplies recd pass through this office including the return comy
Robt Tannahill
Maj & ChfCS
1st Dist Va
 
Offie ChfCS for Va
Richmond Jany 26, 1865
Ref returned to CfS calling attention to the endorsement of Major Tannahill & with suggestion that if it be deemed absolutely necessary to procure rail road machinery & supplies in the mods proposed, that the trade be conducted under the direction of Maj Tannahill, in order that no derangement of his operations (which are now working smoothly & successfully) be made by the interference of other and inexperienced parties
BP Noland Major
Chf CS for Va
 
Resp returned to the Sec of War inviting his attention to the endorsements of Major Tannahill & Noland which are approved
LB Northrup
CS
Feby 7/65
 
Q M Genl
Note the endorsements from the Com Department & arrange the matter with them. There is no objection to the proposition made, & recommended by you
By order
J A Campbell
8 Feby 65
 
QM Gen Feb 10 1865
Respectfully returned to Capt Robinson and his attention directed to Qr Mr Genl indorsements
By order of QMGenl
W Y Alexander
Maj & Asst to QMG
 
Petersburg Va
March 8, 1865
Respectfully referred to Genl R E Lee Commd in Chf for instructions,
The military changes recently made in the Norfolk Dept have for the present closed operations on the waters.
It is proposed by the Agt of application to transport the supplies required by the land route, the only channel now left by which this Dept can secure subsistence from the U. S. in Eastern Va & N. C.
While I am anxious and can appreciate the importance of giving every facility to Rail Roads I doubt the policy at the moment of addressing the contraband articles to come forward by land as the capture of such supplies might have a tendency to break up the whole traffic on the Blackwater, particularly as the enemy are represented in force at Suffolk.
Robt Tannahill
Maj & CS
 
Head Quarters ANV
March 14/65
Returned to Major Tannahill whose views are approved. It is deemed inexpedient to attempt what is proposed at this time.
By order of Gen Lee
W H Fayhm
AAG
 
OffChfCS 1st Dist Va
Petersburg Va
March 15, 1865
Respectfully returned through Maj B P Noland ChfCS for Va.
Robt Tannahill
Maj & ChfCS
1st Dist Va

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