| Weldon March 9th 1865 |
| |
| Maj Robt Tannahill |
|
C. S. {Commissary Service}
|
| Petersburg |
| |
| Major, |
| I have requested Mr. Ball to hand you this
letter & to show you the endorsement of the Asst Secy of War to my
application for the exchange of cotton for rail road supplies, by
which the permit is given subject to all arrangement with the
Commissary Department. I know that at this time the trade on the
Blackwater is interrupted but there is I understand a probability of
its being renewed, and if so, I am exceedingly anxious to avail myself
of it through Mr. Pendleton to a moderate extent. Soon, two of my most
efficient engines & one that is inferior will be laid up with worn
out tires; their tires are already so thin that I am afraid to run the
engines on other roads than the Seaboard for fear of accident. On one
of these engines only wrought tires can be used, on account of the
closeness of the wheels, & wrought tires cannot be obtained in the
Confederate States, & now it is exceedingly difficult to obtain
even chilled tires for the other engines. We require also small
amounts of tin brass antimony & other small articles. The Seaboard
Company endeavored to supply themselves from England, but the received
only a moderate portion of their orders: one vessel containing tires
& other articles for them was lost, and the balance of their goods
are in Bermuda, now not attainable. I trust you will be able to make
such an endorsement or give such an order as will enable Mr. Pendleton
to avail himself of opportunities that offer for obtaining such
supplies as are necessary to the Company. |
| Respectfully |
| Jno. M. Robinson |
| Director & Gen. Supt. {Seaboard
& Roanoke RR} |
|