| Columbia S. C. Jany 4, 1865 |
| |
| Gen. R. E. Lee |
| Comdg A. N. Va. |
| |
| Gen. |
| Knowing the vast importance to you of
the Piedmont R. R. as a part of the line on which you are so largely
dependent in your supplies, I regard it as my duty to inform you of
the condition of that road as it came under my observation in
passing over it on my way hither. Without any accidental detainment
the train on which I came, from Danville to Greensboro, a distance
of 48 miles was 13 hours & 45 minutes in making the trip. There
were four other trains in front of ours, one of which was 6 hours
longer on the road than ours. I do not hesitate to express the
belief that it is the worst managed Rail Road on the face of the
earth. Such is the opinion of all I have conversed with on the
subject. The depots are without adequate supplies of wood or water
for the engines. The wood used is green & wet. The engines stop
at every heavy grade for want of steam. At one place several panels
of fence had to be torn down & cut for firewood before we could
move. At the terminus of the road no means seems to be provided for
the protection of public stores awaiting transportation. At
Greensborogh I saw immense piles of salt & corn exposed to the
rain which was pouring down. The greater part of the salt piled up
in the road which was half leg deep in the road side. The road bed
is badly constructed and is in bad condition, but may be easily
improved by proper ditching & leveling with a small force &
at little expense. I got out and examined it at many places after
discovering the condition of things at & near Danville. I dont
know & could not find out who was properly responsible for the
state of things. But the facts are as I represent them, and it does
really seem to me that the War Dept. ought to be appraised of the
necessity of reaching the responsible parties & compelling them
to perform their duties. |
| Major Sloan Q. M. at Greensboro informs
me that what I saw was only a repetition of every day's experience
on that Road. I dont know how far a remedy may be in your reach but
one is surely badly called for. |
| Very Respby Your Obt Sevt |
| J D Imboden |
| Brig Genl |
| |
| {on back of the letter} |
| To the Secy of War |
| Respectfully returned. It is well known to this
Department that transportation has not been efficiently performed;
but it is hoped that a decided change is now being effected under
the new Superintendent. It is not proper to remark, however, that
without additional legislation, it is impossible for this Department
to exercise proper control over the Rail Roads necessary for army
transportation. |
| A R Lawton |
| Qr. Mr. Genl. |
| 12 Jany 65 |
|