| Confederate States |
| Quartermaster's Department |
| Office Supt Railroad Transportation |
| Richmond Nov 26th 1864 |
| |
| Genl A. R. Lawton |
| Q. M. G. |
| |
| General, |
| The enclosures will exhibit the result
of my overtures to obtain an engine to supply Petersburg with wood. So
far as my investigations have go this engine has been engaged, during
the time she run at all, in transporting salt for private parties from
Saltville and has performed very little if any service for gov't. Conl
Mea has no cars, but I was approached by Mr Swan of Tennessee to see
if some could not be obtained to make a train. The engine is at
present managed is not nor can it assist in gov't transportation and I
therefore recommend that her services be impressed for the purpose of
hauling forage and wood to Petersburg and would respectfully ask that
Capt E. McCormick, Post Quartermaster at Lynchburg, Va. be instructed
to do so. I would also request that he be instructed to push forward
the repairs and so soon as made she be turned over to me for the duty
above mentioned the cars will be furnished by the South Side road. My
steps in this matter have been guided by the urgent character of Genl.
Corley's dispatch which is enclosed. I should mention that Mr. Swan
gave me assurance that if he obtained cars for Conl. Mea that the
train would be used for govt purposes. |
| I am General, |
| Very Respectfully |
| Your obdt. Sevt. |
| F. W. Sims |
| Lt. Col. & Q. M. |
| |
| {on back of letter} |
| Captain McCormick at Lynchburg will seize the Engine
referred to within and take such further steps as Conl. F W Sims may
require |
| A R. Lawton |
| Q. M. Genl. |
| 26th Nov 64 |
| |
| Richmond Nov 26/64 |
| Respy referred to Captain E. McCormick Lynchburg, Va
who will offer to rent the engine "John Williams"
{of the Knoxville & Kentucky RR} from Col
Mea at the highest rate paid by govt for engines of her class, which I
suppose from all can hear of capacity, is about one hundred dollars
per day. If he declines Capt M. will proceed to seize it in the manner
prescribed by Q. M. G's instructions in such cases & having done that
will bring forward the repairs, and send it by E. Stanly to Petersburg
who will turn it over to H. D. Bird Supt. So. Side Rd taking his
receipt for same. I will give Capt McCormick my receipt for the
engine. |
| F W Sims |
| Lt Col & Q. M. |
| |
| The necessity for this engine to meet imperious needs
of Genl Lee's army seems clear. I am bound to prefer the supply of the
army as paramount. B?? I am inclined to think the first claim on this
engine has made for the Confederate Govt and ??? very the inj?? and
while impressment was imperative, the agts of Ga ??? and this control.
I cannot allow it to prec?? this was of the engine taken existing ??
{entire comment very hard to read because the
ink runs together on each stroke} |
| JASeddon |
| 7th Decr 64 |
|