War Department, C. S. A.
| Richmond, Va., June 24, 1863 |
| |
| Maj. C. R. Collins |
| Commanding
Fifteenth Virginia Cavalry |
| |
| Major, |
| Some days since, as
soon as the evacuation of Stafford County by the enemy was known, I
gave instructions that officers of the Engineer Corps should at once
proceed there, and endeavor to collect and forward within our lines
iron, railroad machinery, lead, and all other articles left by the
enemy which would be valuable to our service. They were likewise to
endeavor to remove the rails from the track of the road to Aquia
Creek, if practicable. These objects were important, and I approved
orders that requested the commandant at Fredericksburg, or in its
vicinity, to render such aid and facilities as could be afforded to
their attainment. To my surprise, I learn, on the return of one of
these officers, that these orders met with no attention or
compliance, and that not even the use of a horse, to examine the
ground, to point out the valuables left, and to forbid their removal
and appropriation by the inhabitants of the country, could be
obtained from you. If you were in command, I must require
explanation and justification of such disregard of the wishes of the
Department; and if you still remain in such command, I must require,
while in the vicinity, that you exert yourself diligently to
accomplish the collection and removal, under the direction of the
engineers, of all the valuable stores and articles left by the
enemy, as also, if practicable, the removal of the iron on the track
of the road. |
| Yours, with respect, |
| J. A. Seddon |
| Secretary of War |
|