Biography of William M. Wadley

Entries in black are from the biography compiled by the National Archives; blue entries are my additions. "Biography" refers to William Morrill Wadley by his daughter Sarah Lois Wadley.

Photo from www.findagrave.com
   William Wadley was born November 12, 1813 in Brentwood, New Hampshire. He became a blacksmith and, at age twenty, moved to Savannah, Georgia. He worked for six years on Cockspur Island, building Fort Pulaski under the direction of Robert E. Lee. He went from blacksmith to the superintendent of the public works on the island during that time. He then built a bridge over the Savannah River and the Ogeechee canal, at Savannah. Next, he built a railroad bridge over the Oconee River for the Central (of Georgia) Railroad, completing it in 1844 after three years' work. From 1844 to 1849, he was Road Master, then Superintendent from 1849 to 1851, building the roundhouse that still stands in Savannah. He became Superintendent of the Western & Atlantic Railroad in 1852, then returned to the Central RR in the same capacity, but with increased authority, in 1853. In 1856, he was an officer in the Union Society (a one hundred year old benevolent organization); Frederick W. Sims was also an officer at the same time. In 1858, Wadley became Superintendent of the New Orleans, Jackson & Great Northern Railroad. In 1859 and 1860, he was the Superintendent of the construction of the Southern (of Mississippi) Railroad and then moved to the Vicksburg, Shreveport & Texas Railroad from 1860 to 1861. After the war, Wadley returned to Georgia and became President of the Central Railroad, from 1866 until his death in 1882. 
   Wadley married Rebecca Bernard Everingham in 1840; they had nine children.
William Morrill Wadley -- Colonel & Assistant Adjutant General
January 1, 1861 Superintendent, Vicksburg, Shreveport & Texas RR
September 1, 1861 Made annual report
October 15, 1861 Asks account payment procedure
NA, QM 10-23A-61
NA, QM 10-23C-61
November, 1861 Relieved Charles G. Young as President of Vicksburg, Shreveport & Texas RR. Retained his position as Superintendent {Biography}
November 18, 1861 Wrote QMG with claims for soldiers' travel
NA, QM 11-29-61
November 22, 1861 Requests a QM agent be appointed at Monroe, La.
NA, QMR 11-22-61
NA, QMR 11-30B-61
March, 1862 Went to Richmond to get aid from the government to finish the remaining 40 miles of the Vicksburg, Shreveport & Texas RR. Was not successful. {Biography}
May 6, 1862 Asks QM General to have accounts settled
NA, QMR 5-6-62
October 6, 1862 Plans to meet John P. King, President of the Georgia RR
November 6, 1862 Secretary of War asks, for the President, for Wadley to go to Richmond and consider taking position of Superintendent of Rail Road Transportation.
November 29, 1862 Offered an appointment as Colonel and Assistant Adjutant General for railroad transportation matters
December 1, 1862 Accepted the offered appointment
Auditing RR accounts passed to him.
NA, QM 4-10B-63
NA, QM 4-27A-63
December 3, 1862 Appointed Colonel in the Adjutant General's department and assigned to superintending and directing transportation for the government on all the railroads of the Confederacy. 
OR Series 4, Vol. 2, Page 225
OR Series 4, Vol. 2, Page 295
NP, RC 12-18A-62
December 4, 1862 Called for a meeting of all railroad Presidents and Superintendent in Augusta, Ga. on December 15
NP, SR 12-5-62
NP, CR 12-9-62
NP, KD 12-12-62
NA, QMR 6-6A-63
December 9, 1862 Received answer to question regarding duty of railroads to deliver their freight
December 13, 1862 Described as "prudent and reasonable"
December 15, 1862 Held meeting of 40 railroads' Presidents and Superintendents in Augusta; was instructed that the RRs wanted the end of Government trains and all such rolling stock was to be provided to the roads that most needed them, as determined by Wadley
December 17, 1862 Because of the failure of the December 15 meeting to resolve railroad transportation issues, Wadley issued a circular letter with a solution
January 2, 1863 From Raleigh, Wilmington & Manchester RR route is clear for shipments
January 5, 1863 Requested to arrange detail men
Asks QM Genl to order all government rolling stock, material and machinery to his control
NA, QMR 1-5A-63
January 6, 1863 Purchased 2 engines and some cars from the Central (of Georgia) RR
Capt. Grant recommends he select the roads to be stripped of iron for the Blue Mountain RR construction
AHC, LPG 1-6-63
NA, ENGR 1-6-63
January 8, 1863 Gen. Beauregard wants 5 trains for contingencies
Wadley's reporting position
January 11, 1863 Sharp writes QMG that he has received orders to turn over all rolling stock to Wadley
NA, QMR 1-11-63
January 12, 1863 Refers telegram from Muscogee RR to QMG
NA, QMR 1-12A-63
January 15, 1863 Had an agent controlling trains in support of an army movement in North Carolina
Was asked to reduce passenger traffic to Wilmington
NA, DSCGF 1-15-63
Given Charleston & Savannah RR claims
Notified by QMG that Wilmington & Manchester RR cannot meet the emergency
NA, QMR 1-12-63
January 16, 1863 Was notified of lack of transportation at Charlotte
NA, QMR 1-16A-63
January 21, 1863 Notification sent to him that guns could not be shipped from Richmond for want of cars
NA, QMR 1-17A-63
January 22, 1863 Appointed as the railroad representative to the Iron Commission. 
OR Series 4, Vol. 2, Page 365
Pemberton asks for his presence
NA, DMEL 1-22-63
January 23, 1863 QMG forwards request for oil transportation to him
NA, QMR 1-23C-63
January 26, 1863 Whitford is retained as Transportation Agent by Wadley
January 27, 1863 McNeill offers to help Wadley with RR machinery needs.
NA, SWR 1-27-63
January 31, 1863 Wrote Tredegar regarding 1863 RR iron needs
B27, RRB 1-31-63
February 2, 1863 In Raleigh, ordered Cap. Sharp to close the Confederate Locomotive Shops there
Capt. Sharp's Diary
NA, QMR 2-2C-63
Submits a plan for government freight movement to QMG
NA, QMR 2-2D-63
NA, QMR 2-9A-63
NA, QM 2-14-63
NA, QMR 2-15B-63
NA, QMR 2-17A-63
NA, QMR 2-19A-63
February 3, 1863 Was mentioned as being the man in charge of the cars at the Locomotive Shop
NA, SWR 2-3-63
February 5, 1863 Suggests resolution to Alabama & Florida (of Florida) RR claim
Ordered to get provisions moving from Charlotte to Richmond
February 6, 1863 Reports necessity of details to get North Carolina transportation moving
February 7, 1863 Recommended that all 85 tons RR iron, partly used to connect 2 RRs in Augusta, be transferred to Wadley
NA, QMR 2-7C-63
February 8, 1863 Asks AA Genl to clarify order to devote all transportation to moving corn from North Carolina
February 10, 1863 Reports North Carolina RR in confusion and Wilmington & Weldon RR not responsive; suggests working with North Carolina governor
Asks Secretary of War for Hottel's services
February 11, 1863 Confirmed as being in charge of railroad transportation in the West
NP, VW 2-11-63
Recommends to Secretary of War a plan to exchange old iron for new on two RRs
NA, ENG 2-20A-63
February 13, 1863 Ordered to use Hottel as he saw fit; Governor Vance had been asked to help Wadley
February 14, 1863 Received circular letter to be issued by QMG
NA, QM 2-14-63
February 16, 1863 Made recommendations regarding a Charleston & Savannah RR bill
NA, C&S 2-16-63
Involved in movement of lead in North Carolina
NA, QM 2-16A-63
February 17, 1863 Major Winnemore instructed to let him have the iron
February 20, 1863 QM General states that Wadley is in charge of RR rates
QM General forwarded a request for coal to him. Returned to QM General April 6
Reports result of convention of RRs in NC
NA, QMR 2-20D-63
February 21, 1863 Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac RR wants some of the RR stock and material Wadley is getting rid of
Macon Laboratory requests ownerless cars be assigned to its support
NA, ML 2-21B-63
February 22, 1863 In Charlotte, recommends horses go overland, not wait for RR transportation to Richmond
February 23, 1863 Pemberton request Wadley visit immediately
5 flats needed to move guns
Reported to have left Raleigh the week before for Augusta and Mississippi
February 25, 1863 Ordered to go west now, confer with the committee later
February 26, 1863 W. J. England reports Wadley has heard nothing about England's assignment
February 27, 1863 Lieut. W. J. England assigned to Wadley
Reports his duties as Ast QM
NA, QMR 7-27-63
February 28, 1863 Pemberton has heard nothing from Wadley
QMG forwards request for hands to work Chattanooga area coal mines
NA, QMR 2-15-63
March 2, 1863 Seddon believes he is with Pemberton
Southern (of Mississippi) RR needs iron for repairs
March 3, 1863 Mississippi Central RR reports tariff issues
Navy needs to move coal from Clover Hill to Charlotte
Sharp reports Wadley gone to Mississippi, leaving property in Sharp's hands
NA, QMR 3-5-63
QMG directs Sehon to him for problem with Western & Atlantic RR
NA, QM 3-2C-63
March 4, 1863 Wilmington & Weldon RR writes QMG asking for Augusta rates. Says he has written Wadley
NA, QMR 3-4-63
March 5, 1863 Wrote Mallet about use of cars for completing the Macon Laboratory
NA, ML 3-13-63
March 6, 1863 He is directed to enforce rules for the travel of sick and wounded soldiers
Reported purchase of locomotives and cars from several RRs
NA, QMR 3-6E-63
March 7, 1863 Need to move RR iron to Wilmington for the Navy
Is noted as being in charge of setting rates for transportation on Government accounts
NA, QMR 4-6-63
March 9, 1863 Writes QMG about flour shipment
NA, QMR 5-31-63
Informs QMG on freight arrangements between Montgomery and Augusta
NA, QMR 3-9A-63
March 10, 1863 Is hard on the Western & Atlantic RR during a visit with its Superintendent
Is told that an order was probably not an interference in RR transportation
Asked if he can supply flats to the Navy
March 11, 1863 Was sent papers regarding a rate increase
March 13, 1863 Letter regarding transportation of forage forwarded to him since he is in charge of RR contracts
Is addressed by Mallet regarding using cars for Macon Laboratory construction
NA, ML 3-13-63
NA, ML 4-1-63
Is forwarding cars as they come into his possession
Mississippi Central RR told to contact him regarding rates
NA, QM 3-13-63
March 16, 1863 Informed that Navy was seizing iron from the Atlantic & Gulf RR
NA, SWR 3-16-63
March 17, 1863 Informed that transportation for 4 guns would be needed at Richmond on the 23rd
March 18, 1863 Requested to send cars from Vicksburg to Mobile at once
NA, DMEL 3-18-63
Involved in repairing Southern (of Mississippi) RR
NA, DMEL 3-18B-63
March 20, 1863 QM General reports that Wadley had made agreements with RR companies to make 2 routes across Georgia
Wadley is in charge or rates and conditions of transportation
Southern (of Mississippi) RR requested to accept any proposal he makes
NA, DMEL 3-20-63
QMG reports Wadley has been told of issues at Knoxville
NA, QM 4-20A-63
March 21, 1863 Mims told to follow Wadley's arrangements and call on him for help moving ordnance
NA, DMEL 3-21A-63
NA, DMEL 3-21B-63
March 22, 1863 Tries to resolve conflict between Pemberton and Mobile & Ohio RR
March 23, 1863 Re-published General Orders regarding the military and the rail roads
Told to transport a beef shipment on the Mississippi Central RR
NA, DMEL 3-23-63
Told limits of Pemberton's authority regarding shipments of food
March 24, 1863 Ordered to get ammunition from Meridian to Gen. Loring with all haste.
NA, DMEL 3-24A-63
NA, DMEL 3-24B-63
March 23-26, 1863 Was in Alabama and Mississippi on Railroad Bureau business
March 25, 1863 Asked for a locomotive for track laying on the Piedmont RR
NA, ENG 3-25-63
NA, ENGR 4-4-63
NA, ENG 4-11C-63
March 26, 1863 Asked to regularize meat shipments from Atlanta to Virginia
March 27, 1863 Was trying to get iron for Governor Brown
March 29, 1863 Told of RR neglect at Weldon
NA, QMR 3-29A-63
March 30, 1863 Was asked for evaluation of pricing of iron taken from the Alabama & Florida (of Florida) RR
March 31, 1863 Told that Navy would not desist removing iron from the Brunswick & Albany RR. Told to come to Richmond
April 1, 1863 Ordered to assist in moving corn from Columbus
April 4, 1863 Asked to inform the QMG of the contents of an agreement between Wadley and the Central (of Georgia) RR Superintendent
NA, QMR 3-31B-63
April 6, 1863 Reported on Alabama & Florida (of Florida) RR iron taken
NA, A&F 4-6-63
NA, ENG 5-6-63
Endorses letter with observation that labor, not RR transportation, is the issue in coal production
NA, QM 4-22E-63
April 7, 1863 QMG instructed him to ship 67 carloads corn monthly to Knoxville
NA, QM 4-7A-63
April 8, 1863 Asks Governor of Georgia to call a convention for developing a plan for transporting salt from Saltville
QMG states Wadley is responsible for contracts with RRs
NA, QM 4-8-63
April 12, 1863 Informed Secretary of War of his recommendations for transportation rates
April 14, 1863 Reported status and needs of eastern railroads
OR Series 4, Vol. 2, Page 483
OR Series 4, Vol. 2, Page 487
April 15, 1863 Paid for having Government cars found and distributed
Asked to assist in rapid movement of cement from Weldon to Charleston
NA, ENG 4-15-63
Billed for use of a Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac RR locomotive
April 17, 1863 Reports on orders given regarding Charlotte Naval Works coal
NA, SWR 4-6-63
April 20, 1863 QMG asks about rates for paying RR accounts
NA, QM 4-20-63
April 23, 1863 Asks assistance in getting rails taken up
Issued new rates for Memphis & Charleston RR
NA, RRB 4-23-63
Probably included in decision to repair the Richmond & York River RR using Alabama & Florida (of Florida) RR iron
Was probably running a RR convention held in Richmond
NA, QM 4-22B-63
QMG informed of new RR rates Wadley had proposed and the Secretary of War had approved
NA, QM 4-22F-63
April 30, 1863 Was advised that invoices for bacon had arrived, but not the bacon
May 1, 1863 C. S. Senate refused to approved his appointment in the Army.
NA, RRB 4-23A-63
May 2, 1863 His opinion was to be sought regarding repairing a locomotive
May 6, 1863 A QM reports an error in a RR company's form
NA, QM 5-28C-63
May 7, 1863 Recommends to Secretary of War the Government should provide 4 miles of iron to the Virginia & Tennessee RR
May 8, 1863 Answers QM General's letter regarding RR rates
NA, QMR 5-8-63
May 9, 1863 Regarding transportation for contributions
NA, QMR 4-9C-63
May 11, 1863 QM General relays the arrangements made for a locomotive to Sam. Tate
May 18, 1863 Had forwarded Georgia RR request for iron to the Secretary of War
May 22, 1863 Superintendent of government transportation position ended when Confederate Senate refused to confirm his appointment.
May 23, 1863 Recommended changing the line of the track connecting roads in Petersburg
Replied to Secretary of War regarding poor communication regarding shipments through Junction
NA, SS 5-3-63
Wrote QM Genl regarding rate increase asked for my South Side RR
NA, QMR 5-23B-63
May 25, 1863 Turns in Georgia RR draft for 8 cars
NA, QMR 5-25-63
May 26, 1863 Writes Secretary of War about a flour shipment
Is noted as being in charge of setting rates for transportation on Government accounts
NA, QMR 4-6-63
Received receipt for Georgia RR payment
NA, QM 5-26-63
Ordered to report to the QMG the sales of public property he has made
NA, QM 5-26A-63
May 27, 1863 Classification of the Atlantic & North Carolina RR that he had recommended was approved
NA, A&NC 5-27-63
Enumerates items being turned over to his successor
May 29, 1863 Morfit reports he has received receipts for most rolling stock from Wadley
May 30, 1863 Wilmington & Manchester RR president reports he and Wadley agreed to special rates for his road; also wants troops rate decision
NA, QMR 5-30C-63
NA, QMR 5-30D-63
April or May, 1863 Received request from QMG for comment on raising RR rates
June 2, 1863 Confirmation that Wadley had been rejected by the Senate
NA, QM 6-2-63
NP, SR 6-18-63
June 6, 1863 Major Peirce explains his conflict with Wadley
NA, QMR 6-6C-63
June, 1863 Remained in western Louisiana for the remainder of the war. {Biography}
August 11, 1863 Memphis & Charleston RR contract that he had made is reported to QMG
NA, QMR 8-11-63
August 29, 1863 An officer was ordered to destroy all the Vicksburg, Shreveport & Texas RR machinery at Wadley's Plantation
NA, VS&T 8-29-63
August 10, 1882 Died in Saratoga, New York

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