Today in History:

885 Series I Volume XLIX-I Serial 103 - Mobile Bay Campaign Part I

Page 885 CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. - UNION.

We are embarrassed to ship such material to North Carolina to prepare to meet General Sherman's army, and to establish a new railroad construction corps at Pensacola would make new demands upon the marine transportation and upon the resources of this department difficult to meet. I have consulted Lieutenant-General Grant upon the subject, and he replies that we have no time to build railroads there now, and that the supplies called for this should not be sent.

I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,

M. C. MEIGS,

Quartermaster-General and Brevet Major-General.

WEST GULF SQUADRON, U. S. FLAG-SHIP RICHMOND,

Mobile Bay, March 10, 1865.

Major General E. R. S. CANBY,

Commanding Military Division of West Mississippi:

GENERAL: Yours of the 8th instant is just received by the hand of Captain Barrett. I will go up with the light-draft boats to feel the enemy so soon as it moderates.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. K. THATCHER,

Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding West Gulf Squadron.

QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Washington City, March 10, 1865.

Bvt. Briv. General D. C. McCALLUM,

Director and General Manager Military Railroads

of the United States, Washington:

GENERAL: Upon General Canby's requisition for men and material to rebuild seventy miles of railroad from Pensacola north and to Barrancas, I have communicated with Lieutenant-General Grant, who directs that they be not furnished, deciding thus: "We have no time for building railroads there now."

I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,

M. C. MEIGS,

Quartermaster-General and Brevet Major-General.

[Indorsement.]

OFFICE GENERAL MANAGER MILITARY RAILROADS OF THE UNITED STATES,

Washington, March 13, 1865.

Respectfully referred to Major General E. R. S. Canby for his information.

The within refers to letter and requisition of Captain John C. Palfrey, acting chief engineer, &c., District of West Florida and South Alabama, near Mobile, of February 16, to furnish men and materials to build a road from Pollard, on the Mobile and Montgomery road, to Pensacola, approved by Major-General Granger, and also approved in part and forwarded by you to this office.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

D. C. McCALLUM,

Brevet Brigadier-General, &c.

Per W. H. WHITON,

In Charge.


Page 885 CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. - UNION.