| Lincolnton{, NC}, March 31st 1864 |
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| Dear Sir, |
| In complying with your request of the 5th
inst I shall have to go some what into the history of and ??? and I
take this 1st opportunity that pressing engagements have presented. |
| The Road as chartered extends Wilmington
via Charlotte to Rutherfordton a distance of 276 miles and was
separated into two divisions -- the Eastern from Wilmington to
Charlotte 186 miles & the Western from Charlotte to Rutherfordton
90 miles. At the commencement of hostilities between our own and the
Govt of the United States 100 miles was completed & stretched on
the Eastern Division from Wilmington and 45 miles on the Western
Division from Charlotte as required by the terms of the Charter and
under mortgage to the State of North Carolina that extent. We had
succeeded in getting four Engines and suitable numbers of cars
(Passenger Box & Platform) for the Eastern Division a portion of
which was rented & sold to the Wilmington & Weldon RRd Co.
Accurate information can be obtained from R. P. Atkinson Supt East Div
Laurinburg N. C. |
| Upon the Western Division the Company
secured three (3) Engines (2) Passenger Coaches, 15 box, 17 Flat cars
-- which meets the requirements of this Division and at times provides
into ????? The cars are all ??? & receiving repairs and two of the
engines in very good order, but the other -- the Brunswick is se?? and
??? and requires constant ??? to keep her on the Road ??? as ??? can
be a ???? shops she will have to stop for repairs. By the assistance
of the Naval Works at Charlotte, I have only been enabled to keep on
half daily for several months past. We did not ??? for a Machine shop
and are entirely dependant upon the accommodation extended for the
Shops of the different Roads, ??? it could be extended to us. We have
but three Machinists who are employed in receiving & keeping up
the engines. |
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The Cars are under the supervision of the Chf Carpenter
-- of wood shops in which I have them while employed in repairing
& rebuilding.
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The operation of this shop requires 1000#s Brass, 200lbs Babbitt
metal, 1000 lbs ???, & 1000 #s rail road iron, this material I
cannot obtain. I also require about 20 pairs of Car wheels & axles
and if I can get the Engines in shop, I would like to have a force
sufficient detailed without delay. I have endeavored to answer fully
& I hope satisfactorily.
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Very Respectfully
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B. J. Guion Eng & Supt
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WDiv. W. C. &R. R. Rd. Co. {Western
Division, Wilmington, Charlotte & Rutherford RR}
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To
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F. W. Sims Esq
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Lt. Col. & Qr. Mr.
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Richmond
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