| Confederate States, Quartermaster's Department |
| Railroad Bureau |
| Richmond, March 5th 1864 |
| |
| Brig Gen A. R. Lawton |
| Q. M. Gen. |
| |
| General, |
| I would respectfully ask for the detail of H. C.
Christopher a private in Lieut. Genl. Hardee's escort for service on the
Mobile & Great Northern RRd. |
| Christopher is an experienced blacksmith capable of
doing the hardest and most difficult jobs, and his services are
exceedingly valuable to this road, which finds difficulty in maintaining
its machinery from the lack of competent workmen. |
| I am, General, |
| Very respectfully |
| Your obdt svt |
| F. W. Sims |
| Lt Col & QM |
| |
| {on back of document -- some pages missing}
|
| Lieut He?? will state whether Christopher is a skilled machinist,
what is his rank & standing, & whether he can be detailed without ??? to
the Confederacy. |
| W. O Hardee |
| Lieut Genl |
| April 1/64 |
| |
| H. C. Christopher is a private in the company. I do not know his
qualifications as a machinist He was detailed one year ago, with the
approval of yourself and Capt Raum, was sent back to his company by Maj
Wright of Atlanta and has not remounted himself since. |
| Respf'ly &c |
| H. J. Him??k |
| Lieut Comdg Co Cavalry Escort Hd Qr Hardee's Corps |
| April 2 1864 |
|