| HDQRS. Dept. of South Carolina and Georgia |
| Charleston, S. C., August 28, 1862
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| Alfred F. Ravenel |
| President of the Northeastern Railroad Company
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| Dear Sir,
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| You must be fully aware of the
importance of completing the obstructions between Fort Sumter and
Sullivan's Island before the enemy is prepared with his iron-clad
boats to attempt to force a passage. I have good reason to believe
that if I succeed in laying these obstructions, covered as they will
be by my heavy batteries, he will either be deterred from making the
attempt or be foiled should he make it. Without these obstructions I
have little doubt he will at least try to run the gauntlet of our
batteries, and it is by no means improbable he will succeed. We have
now in readiness nearly, if not quite, sufficient chain to cross the
channel twice. Heretofore the progress of the work has been delayed
-- almost defeated -- for want of the necessary labor, which I have
in vain endeavored to procure. There is now, however, a reasonable
prospect that it will be furnished.
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| I now, sir, come to the point with you.
Equally necessary to the completion of this indispensable work is
the supply of timber for the construction of the floats. This cannot
be delivered in time without the full and cordial co-operation of
your road. It is mainly on your route that the proper timber is to
be obtained. Large quantities, I am officially informed, are now cut
and lying by the roadside awaiting transportation. Much larger
quantities still will be required. I therefore ask you, sir, to give
your country all the assistance in your power. You cannot more
effectually do it at this time than by the influence of your
official position and authority to facilitate the rapid completion
of this work.
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| J. C. Pemberton
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| Major-General, Commanding
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