Elias M. Greene to J. H. Taytor, October 2, 1863

Lieut. Col. J. H. Taytor, Chief of Staff, and Assistant Adjutant-General :

CoLONEL: In reply to your inquiries of this date, I have the honor to report that the first intimation I ever had of the intention of the military authorities to construct block-houses for the defense of railroad bridges was conveyed to me through the general commanding this department and the Quartermaster-General. These orders were to construct a block-house at every bridge on the Loudoun and Hampshire and Orange and Alexandria Railroads within the limits of this department, and were received by me some time between the 1st and 6th days of June last. My understanding of the matter at that time was that the Engineer Department had been some time

reviously intrusted with the work of placing the bridges in a deensive condition, but that in consequence of the delay in executing this duty, the Quartermaster-General decided to adopt my suggestion of placing the matter in my hands, with orders to do the work at once, according to plans then in possession of the Engineer Department, which plans subsequently reached me through Major-General Heintzelman. After receiving the orders referred to, I provided the necessary timber for the work, but in consequence of the withdrawal of the troops from our front by General Hooker, the railroads were left in a totally unguarded condition, and the trains ceased running, thus rendering it eee for me to continue my operations. When the Army of the Potomac returned to its former position in Virginia, I made every effort to procure trains to transport my timber lying along the Orange and Alexandria Railroad near Burke’s Station to the specific points, but in consequence of the road being worked to its utmost capacity in al PCR Eh a &c., to General Meade’s forces, the superintendent, Mr. Devereux was obliged to refuse my repeated applications to him for trains to move my timber as required. a

A few days since, however, I was assured that proper facilities would be extended to me for the prosecution of the work, by placing a construction train at my disposal, and I have now resumed operations, and expect to have all the block-houses completed in a short time.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,