| Alleyton Oct 8th 1863 |
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Major B. Bloomfield |
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| My Dear Sir, |
| Capt Wolff has shown me Capt Herriots
report to you, of the road making under contract for the government
between this place and Columbus {Columbus Tap RR},
it is very different from what I expected from his conversation with me,
J. C. Cunningham Contracted to make a road of good material wood gravel
or stone if necessary from the ??n of Columbus to this place over which
wagons from Brownsville San Antonio or any other place, with these roads
they could bring to Columbus should be able to pass to this place
without unloading lightering or fastening on additional teams. he gave
security Lee Taylor Esq. who is himself making the roads, either Mr
Cunningham or Mr Taylor are able to pay One Hundred Thousand Dollars,
and both are men of integrity, and high standing, and their word is as
good as their or any other mans word is, in our Country. They were to
receive for making and completing the road Six Hundred Dollars. after
its completion and reception by persons appointed to receive it. they
were to receive Two Thousand Dollars to keep it in repair one year. also
agreed to commence the work at once, and did so, as soon as you agreed
upon the ??? before its contract was signed, by my request to General
Magruder told once at Piedmont Springs that he approved the contract and
wished me to set the Contractor at work at once so that the road might
be made passable by the time the Fall rains set in, this I did, and I
also made the Contractor p?? one that, when the wagons and teams passed
over the road, if any part of it became bad from use, they should mend
it at once, and daily, and hourly, so that their could be no possible
delay in transporting the Government arms and troops to Alleyton, all of
which they have done, the road is now good as any road in the State, and
in two weeks time it will be so far progressed toward completion, that
the use will be a perfect certainty of its being passable for all and
any train of waggons and teams. No matter how heavily loaded that can
get to Columbus, my intelligence and security age both ??ted when
representations are made that a good, and sufficient road for all
purposes could no be made & will not be made exceeded any and all
circumstances, and the owners of stock in the rail Road Company from
here to Columbus would argue that because I live at Alleyton and own a
little property here, that I might be influenced to misrepresent the
situation of the roads &c. I own some property in the Town of Columbus,
Six Hundred acres of land six miles from Columbus and a plantation of
One Thousand acres, about 13 miles west of Columbus, which is as good as
one, and well fixed as any other, so that building the rail Road would
really benefit me as much as any other person. |
| This pretended Rail Road was commenced
more than three years ago, some ????? some timber & carved out in the
woods, and there left to rot, and the embankment of the road, has all or
nearly all washed down. so they really have no material to assist in the
making the road. I contend that no military necessity exists, or ever
has existed, since a good and efficient road can, and is making, for
Eight Thousand Dollars is it prudent or necessary to expend from Three
to Four Hundred Thousand Dollars to make a Rail Road for a Corporation,
to enrich its stockholders at the expense of the whole Confederacy. I
learn from many Planters, that for the defence of our country Genl
Magruder can have all their Negroes but to make a road to benefit a
corporation, they will not furnish a man, another argument the urge: We
are paying large Taxes, and do it willingly, to support our armies, and
enhance the value of our money, expecting the money would be used in
lasting defences, procuring supplies, and paying our soldiers, so that
no new issues of Confederate money should be made, Consequently
appreciate what remained in circulation, if you or any other
intelligent, and disinterested man would look at, and examine the
country, you would at once say I have not made any mischaracterisation,
I have of course pride of opinion, and pride of character, which I
cannot have ??ned, and my object in writing you is to sustain my
integrity and character. I am the friend of Genl Magruder, and I am
unwilling to have him deceived by false representations and induced
thereby to produce a course that might injure him, I note this in
confidence to you but at the same time I hold myself responsible for all
I say. I know you can and do appreciate me and my matters |
| I am Very Truly Your Friend & Obt Sevt |
| Henry L. Webb |
| P. S. When last at Houston, I called on Major Lacy for
the written contract, he said it was either at QM office or was mislaid
he paid me on Mr Cunninghams order the first installment, Three Thousand
Dollars which I paid over to him and took his receipt, which I enclose
to you. |
| If it is finally determined to build the
Rail Road, it would do no good, and perhaps it might injure me to let
Genl Magruder know my oppinion, but it is really my duty to keep him
correctly posted on all subjects involving the interest of the country
and his good, and when asked by him will do so. |
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