| Talladega, Sunday, April 16, 1865 |
| |
| Lieutenant Colonel Surget |
| Assistant Adjutant General |
| |
| Colonel, |
| I forward Brigadier-General Adams'
courier, with horse, by railroad, to Montevallo, and direct him to
go from there to Marion Junction and take railroad to Meridian. This
railroad is in running order from Blue Mountain to Montevallo {the
Alabama & Tennessee River RR}, and can be put in order
for trains to run to Selma, if proper energy is given, in ten days
or two weeks. This I believe from information received. If you
desire it I will look to its speedy completion, impress, if
necessary, hands, &c., for the use of the road, &c. If you
desire this, send me an order to that effect. We have a line of
couriers from Oxford, twenty miles above this place on railroad, to
Newnan, Ga. Can send dispatches or any matter through for you.
Newnan on railroad between West Point and Atlanta {on
the Atlanta & West Point RR}. No enemy here or near here.
Enemy have been reported at Wetumpka, fifteen miles from Montgomery,
but not reliable. I will keep you advised of any movement on this
place. We have one engine and cars on this end of the road. The
cavalry here are very much demoralized and straggling through the
country. The early completion of this road is very important, as all
the posts, &c., will and must be abandoned for want of forage
and subsistence, and there will be great suffering here among the
poor families, as all the corn has been brought from the canebrake
lands beyond Selma. The iron-works in and around Montevallo have
been burned, but I learn can be put in order very soon, the
machinery being damaged but little. |
| I am, colonel, very respectfully,
|
| T.
A. Mellon
|
| Colonel, Commanding Post
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