| Naval Ordnance Works |
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Charlotte N. C. 31 March 1863 |
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Commander John K. Mitchell |
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Chief of Bureau |
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Orders Detail, |
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Richmond, Va. |
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Sir, |
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In my letter to you of the 28th, relating to the
difficulties experienced in keeping these works supplied with coal, I
informed you that I had had the four Government Coal cars repaired that
had brought us coal from the Clover Hill Mines, and sent them back under
charge of Mr Miner. One of the difficulties has been the want of cars,
which to some extent would be obviated by returning them. |
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The Rail Roads now will not permit their own cars to leave
their own road, through freight is transshipped at the termination of
each road. This cause of delay and expense is avoided by having
Government cars. |
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Mr Miner reports to me that on arriving at the Company's
Shops, Mr. Sumner the Superintendent of the Western North Carolina rail
road {Superintendent, North Carolina RR},
detained them there, promising he will send him on in two days, and that
in future he will not permit any empty cars to pass over that road. |
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We have been very much embarrassed by Mr Sumner, he is the
same individual that had the audacity to seize and appropriate to his
own use coal obtained for these works after great trouble and expense
and none of which has been yet returned. |
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And now instead of aiding us in obtaining coal, he is
delaying us, tho' aware that we are in urgent need of coal. |
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I make this report in the hope that Mr Sumner may be
compelled to change his course. |
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Very Respectfully &c |
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Catsby ap R Jones |
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Commdg & Ordnance Officer |