OR, Series 4, Vol. 3, Page 570

August 5, 1864
 
His Excellency Z. B. Vance
Governor of North Carolina, Executive Dept., Raleigh, N. C.
 
Sir,
  I have the honor to invite Your Excellency's attention to the state of things presented below, and to request your co-operation in applying the only remedy which, after much thought and deliberation, has appeared to be either practicable or adequate.
  The Wilmington & Manchester Railroad forms an essential link in the great lines of southern railroads, and there is no exaggeration in informing you that the safety of our people and the possibility of maintaining the present contest with success depend, to a great degree, on the preservation of this road in an efficient condition for transportation of troops and provisions, of imported articles, and of cotton for exportation.
  The condition of this road, seriously impaired and worn by the constant call upon it for heavy transportation, has long excited apprehension. It is now represented on good authority that unless thoroughly repaired the road must, in three months, become wholly incapable of furnishing the transportation which the interest of the Government requires. In order to repair it ten or fifteen miles of railroad iron are absolutely necessary, and the question whence this amount of iron could best be secured has earnestly occupied the attention of the proper authorities. Under present circumstances it is evident that the only means of keeping up the efficiency of the main track lines of the Confederacy consists in repairing them at the expense of other lines of secondary and merely local importance.
  The commissioners, acting on this principle, have recommended that the iron required for repairing the Wilmington & Manchester Railroad be taken from the western terminus of the eastern section of the Wilmington, Charlotte, & Rutherford Railroad from the track, namely, beyond Lawrenceburg, where are situated the work-shops of the company.
  This opinion is entirely approved by this department, and is indeed recommended by paramount and obvious reasons of convenience.
  I respectfully and earnestly urge upon Your Excellency's attention the importance of a cordial co-operation on these measures between the authorities of North Carolina and those of the Confederate States.
  It is much to be regretted that in the execution of this measure loss and inconvenience must unavoidably be experienced by a portion of your State. The interests affected will, however, be purely local, and it will be the object of the Confederate Government to act in all such cases as liberally and leniently as is consistent with the attainment of its object.
  The Government, therefore, in removing the iron will pledge itself to replace it within six months after a treaty of peace between this country and the United States; to pay interest in the meantime on the value of the iron, estimated at schedule rates, and to protect the interest of the State of North Carolina by such security as may be recommended as fair and just.
  Under these circumstances I confidently and earnestly appeal to Your Excellency for assistance and co-operation. It is impossible to overestimate the importance, from a national and military point of view, of a thorough repair of the Wilmington and Manchester Railroad. It will, I think, be found equally impossible to effect this by any course other than the one recommended above. The highest interests of our Army and our Government are involved in the question, and it is in my opinion only by the united action of State and Confederate States authorities that danger of a permanent and disastrous interruption of railroad communication can be effectually obviated.
  I respectfully ask for a prompt expression of your views, and am,
Yours, very respectfully
J. F. Gilmer
Major-General, etc.

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