NA, SWT 6/13/1862

Richmond June 13th 1862
 
H. D. Bird, Supt. S. S. R. R. Co.   {South Side Rail Road}
Petersburg
 
   I regret very much, that supposing one to be ignorant of the number of troops ordered forward by myself, you should communicate our movements in the way you have done. I was not aware that you were sending forward sick, when I had written to you to suspend all transportation except that of troops. I knew that the Yankee prisoners could not interfere with the troops, because they had been stopped at Lynchburg.
   It was to prevent the detention of troops at the Junction while trains of empty cars were coming back, that I telegraphed to your agent and to you. If that telegraph has been carried out, there can be neither collision nor the disastrous delay proposed on your road.
   You were furnished the means of establishing telegraph communication with intermediate points on your road for other roads it has been done in a few hours. You were also authorized to impress the rolling stock of the Norfolk & Petersburg Road and were only expected to furnish wood and water for the trains sent from Richmond.
G. W. Randolph
Sec. of War
 
Sent by telegram

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