Memphis & Charleston Railroad Office
| Corinth, Miss., October 28, 1864 -- 1 p.m. |
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| Brig. Gen. P. D. Roddey |
| |
| Dear Sir, |
| I am just in receipt of your letter and
M. J. Warren's report of Memphis & Charleston Railroad, from
Cherokee to Tuscumbia. In reply say it is impossible for me to form
anything like an accurate estimate of time that it will take to put
the road in running order. I can only say, with a sufficient force
and all materials to hand, three-quarters of a mile of track-laying
per day is good work. In order to accomplish the object, putting the
track in running order as soon as possible, it is necessary to put
all the force possible to work getting cross-ties and timber; also a
force should be organized to straighten iron, and gather spikes and
chairs. When the ties are ready or a sufficient quantity ready
track-laying can commence; a force can precede track-layers to clear
off and surface road bed. Timber of any kind and most convenient to
road and short hauling for cross-ties will answer; good heart pine
or white oak must be obtained for bridges, cattle-guards, &c.
Daniel Mcintosh has long experience in track-laying and repairing,
and will be a very valuable man. I will get him to pass over the
road and see what is necessary to be done. The road between this and
Cherokee requires constant employment of all the hands on it; they
are now doing but little as they have an insufficiency of tools. I
have none to furnish them and must rely upon the Government
officials to furnish them. Shovels are mostly needed for the track
repairers. I have applied to Major Whitfield, also to Major
Thomason, for tools, &c. As yet have not received anything
except two skillets and lids, and those from Major Whitfield. I have
not yet drawn any rations for men on train, and learn today there
are none at Cherokee. I have to board all at hotel. Major Thomason
should immediately procure shovels, picks, axes, broad-axes,
cross-cut saws, adzes, chisels, augurs, squares, &c., so that
all branches can be going on at same time, and expedite rebuilding
road. Major Whitfield, at Meridian, telegraphed this evening to go
there immediately and get another train to put on road here. I will
leave on first train Sunday morning; will return here soon as
possible. |
| Very respectfully, yours,
|
| W. J. Ross
|
| Superintendent |
| |
| Major Mason, |
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| Major, |
| I send this letter from the
superintendent of the Memphis & Charleston Railroad for your
consideration. Major Thomason, my quartermaster, telegraphed me on
the 28th that he was on his way from Meridian with tools. Did not
say, but I presume he got all that were needed. |
| Very respectfully, |
| P. D. Roddey |
| Brigadier-General |
|