| I regret exceedingly to state
that the damage done to the East Tennessee & Virginia Railroad by
the recent increase of the enemy's cavalry will interrupt the shipment
of salt, being made in Virginia for the use of the people of
Tennessee. Upon this subject I have received the following from the
President of the Road: |
| Office East Tennessee & Virginia R. R.
Co. |
| Knoxville, July {wrong
month, had to be January} 7th, 1863 |
| Ira P. Jones, Q. M. Gen. &c. |
| Dear Sir: In reply to your inquiries I will
state that it will require at least, sixty days to reconstruct the
bridges lately destroyed on this Road, and restore it to running
order. We expect to have the bridge across the Watauga rebuilt within
thirty days, when we will have trains running from either end of the
Road to the Holston. |
| We cannot undertake to
receive, transport and be responsible for freights until both bridges
are rebuilt and our Road reinstated. |
| We are now presses with
Government freights which take precedence of all others, and we cannot
promise with certainty that any salt can be shipped over our Road till
it is restored. We appreciate the necessities of the people in respect
to salt, and will gladly do all in our power to facilitate its
transportation and delivery. |
| Very respectfully &c., |
| Jno. B. Branner |
| President |