| From a clipping of an unknown newspaper, but probably
one published in Memphis, Tenn. (Memphis Appeal of July 13, 1861.) |
| |
| July 12, 1861 |
| |
| To Railroad Companies of Tennessee |
| |
| Headquarters Army of Tennessee |
| Memphis, July 12, 1861 |
| |
| To H. Wood, President of the Memphis & Ohio
Railroad, and Presidents of other railroads of Tennessee |
|
|
|
Under the present arrangements of the railroads of the
State, the officers and privates on furlough, sick leave, and those
returning home to visit their sick families, and going back to the
post of duty, are all charged half fare. This is not right or just to
these brave men. They have taken the field in defense of the country;
they are paid eleven dollars per month for making their bodies targets
to be shot at; they are subject to all the hardships, perils and
privations of the camp, and they give up all the comforts and endearments
of home; and yet a husband cannot visit a sick wife, or dying child,
or a son a sick father or aged widowed mother, without being stripped
of their small means which should be applied to procure such small
comforts in camp as they have been accustomed to have, and which the
State does not furnish. Many cases have come to my knowledge where men
on sick leave or out of the hospital and ready to go back to the post
of duty, had not the money to pay their way back. The army now in the
field , protects the rights of these roads, and but for its
protections these companies would have no use for their roads. I have
required steamboats running in the waters above this place, passing my
works, to pass soldiers and officers back and forth under like
circumstances free of charge. They have all acquiesced and are passing
them free.
|
|
Surely our railroad stockholders and directors are not
less patriotic than steamboat owners, nor can we suppose that they are
liable to contribute this might to the soldier's comfort, nor is the
obligation lessened when it is remembered what liberal aid the State
has given to aid the roads.
|
|
I beg sir, through you, to bring the subject before the
railroad directors of the State, and in behalf of the army of
Tennessee, and as its commanding genera, I ask to have these men
passed free in all the cases enumerated, where under existing
regulations they are charged half fare.
|
|
Very respectfully
|
|
Gid. J. Pillow
|
|
Maj.-Gen. commanding Army Tennessee
|
|