| Headquarters Army of Tennessee |
| Near Nashville, Tenn., on Franklin Pike |
| December 6, 1864 |
| |
| General D. H. Maury |
| Commanding Department of Mississippi and East
Louisiana |
| |
| General, |
| I earnestly request that you have the
railroad repaired as quickly as possible to Decatur, Ala. {the
Memphis & Charleston RR}, and that orders may at once be issued for the impressment of the
necessary labor and material, the whole to be placed under the
control of some good railroad officer, who will push the matter
through. There are certain supplies necessary to this army which
cannot be obtained from the surrounding country, and which,
therefore, must be brought from the rear. Wagon transportation, at
all times slow and limited, will become in the bad weather, which
must soon set in, a matter of impossibility. The
Tennessee
& Alabama Railroad is now in running order from this point to
Pulaski, and will be to Decatur
in a few days. There are now upon it two fine engines and three
cars; additional cars are now being moved from the Chattanooga
and Nashville {Nashville & Chattanooga RR}
Railroad across the country to be placed upon it.
There is also a train and engine at Decatur
in good order, so that rolling stock will be abundant. I telegraphed
to-day both to General Beauregard and yourself urging the rebuilding
of the
Memphis
& Charleston Railroad to Decatur. The permanent occupation of this country absolutely requires that
this road be repaired. At this distance it is not possible for me to
give the matter personal attention, and I must rely upon your
kindness to help me. |
| Very respectfully, your obedient servant, |
| J. B. Hood |
| General |
|