C. Goddard to William P. Innes, August 20, 1863

Col. WILLIAM P. INNES, Military Superintendent of Railroads, Nashville, Tenn. :

CoLoNEL: Your communication of 18th instant is at hand. The general commanding directs me to inform you that in adition to the 80 cars already contracted for, and the 20 which were to be purchased of the Adams Express Company, Captain Parsons, assistant quartermaster at Saint Louis, has been telegraphed to send a number of 5-foot-gauge cars, now held by him at Michigan City, to Louisville immediately. The number he has to send we do not yet know. There are also some cars, box and platform, on the Memphis road, near Cumberland City, which Colonel Bruce, at Clarksville, has been directed to secure and bring to the river. Colonel Hodges will provide means to transport them to Nashville. ,

The general directs you, in view of our prospective wants, to ascertain where you can procure 5 additional locomotives, and at what price they can be purchased, and advise him of the results of your inquiries.

The contract with the Adams Express Company cannot be annulled without notice of sixty days. The general directs you to give them the required notice immediately.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,