| Richmond Nov'r 29, 1864 |
| |
| Hon J. A. Seddon |
| Secy of War |
| |
| Sir, |
| When E. Tenn was evacuated by the
Confederate forces to save the rolling stock of the Knoxville &
Kentucky R. R. Co. from falling into the possession of the enemy it
was brought within our lines. Shortly after this an Engine belonging
to the Company was seized by the Military Authorities, without any
notice whatsoever to any officer of the Company, and used until it was
cast aside as unfit for service. As Superintendent of the Company I
took charge of this engine, repaired it & put it to work on the
Virginia & Tennessee road. It has since been used in hauling trains
for the C. S. Government whenever public exigencies required but has
been mainly employed in transporting salt from the Virginia works for
the State of Georgia, with the agents of which State a contract is now
pending, whereby the engine is to be wholly employed in that service. |
| An impressment of the engine is now
threatened and I respectfully present the following among other
reasons why any order (if issued) should be revoked and annulled: |
| 1. The State of Tennessee has a
statutory lien upon this Engine for loans made to the Company in order
that it might be purchased |
| 2. The State of Georgia by its regularly
appointed Agents (with a view to supply the people of that State with
salt, wherewith to cure the incoming crop of pork) has contracted for
the use of the engine & when repaired it is to be used for this
purpose. |
| 3. If the engine is seized it will cause
the abrogation of an existing contract for cars, now so much needed to
facilitate transportation by railway |
| 4. There are other engines (four in
number) at Lynchburg which with a little enovy(?) could be quickly
repaired |
| 5. If the present exigency demand the
immediate use of an engine, this if properly repaired, cannot be
employed for three weeks. |
| 6. The rolling stock of this Company is
operated without a single detailed man or any other exempt than the
undersigned; all the work being done by persons not subject to
conscription. |
| 7. It does not appear that the necessity
exists for the impressment of this engine, employed as it is in
transporting salt for one of the States while other engines employed
in transporting salt for private individuals are undisturbed. |
| For these and many other reasons which
could be given it is respectfully asked that the order for the
impressment, if any such has issued, be revoked and the Company be
permitted to remain in the undisturbed use of the engine mentioned. |
| Very Respectfully |
| Your Obt. Svt. |
| C. A. Mee Chief Engr & Supt |
| Knoxville & Ky. R. R. Co. |
| |
| I am acquainted with A. E. Cox & B. H.
Bigbane Agents (recognized as such by Gov. brown) to furnish salt to
the people of Georgia. I have examined their signatures to the
statement in the hands of Mr. Mee and the said signatures are in the
??? of Mr Cox & Mr Bigbane & I have no doubt are genuine. |
| B. H. Hill |