| Confederate States of America |
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Quarter Master General's Department |
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Rail Road Bureau Richmond July 15th 1863 |
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Genl. A. C. Myers |
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Q. M. G. Richmond |
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General, |
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The want of cars upon the Wilmington & Weldon and
Wilmington & Manchester Railroads is as you are aware a serious injury
to the transportation of Government supplies by that line. I cannot
state in terms too strong the apprehensions caused by this deficiency.
It is the shortest line to sections with which we are in constant
communication and must if possible be made more efficient. |
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There are now between forty and fifty cars belonging to
these two roads, already framed, and ready to go up, but for the owners
cannot get wheels and axles for them, because the Govt absorbs all the
labor of the Machine Shops in the Country. They might manage to get the
wheels cast somewhere, but axles cannot be had outside of the Tredegar
Works. It could not be a great delay to the Navy Dept. if these works
were permitted to roll say 250 axles, and even if it is there is
something due to the Quarter Master's Dept. The heaviest burdens of the
Govt is upon its shoulders and no chance given it to maintain the
Railroads which do all the work. The Navy Department first seizes all
the rails in the country and the occupies all the foundries and rolling
mills. I urge you, Genera, to help me in this matter. I repeat it, other
departments should not be allowed to absorb all the labor and all the
material in the country, and yet expect transportation to go on without
interruption. Some assistance must be given and I trust it will be
initiated by permission to roll 250 axles at the Tredegar works This
will add to the rolling stock on the two roads mentioned in the space of
6 weeks or two months as many as fifty cars. The Wilmington & Manchester
Railroad owns but 43 cars to 171 miles of track, and without these axles
and rolled, this number will grow less, for they not only will be unable
to increase their stock but it will be cut their power to keep
these 43 in running order. |
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Other roads need wheels and axles too but these roads need
them most and it is of the utmost importance to the Confederacy that
they should have them. |
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I remain, General, |
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Very respectfully |
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Your obdt Servant |
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F. W. Sims |
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Major & Q. M. |
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