One hundred fifty years ago, on May 14, 1864, a clarification on orders to fortify the capital: HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, SEVENTH ARMY CORPS, Little Rock, Ark., May 14, 1864. Capt. C. H. DYER, Assistant Adjutant-General, District of Little Rock: CAPTAIN: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of a communication from district headquarters, directing me to lay out rifle-pits and to continue work by fatigue parties to-morrow. Captain Wheeler, department chief engineer, made an engagement with me this afternoon to visit the proposed site of the defenses to-morrow morning, and expressed his declare that no work should be done on Sunday. His idea is first to clear away all underbrush. Please lay this matter before the general commanding and inform me whether, with the understanding named above, it is still his desire that the instructions I have acknowledged should be carried out. I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. R. WEST, Brigadier-General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF LITTLE ROCK, Little Rock, Ark., May 14, 1864. Brig. Gen. J. R. WEST, Comdg. Second Division, District of Little Rock: GENERAL: The brigadier-general commanding does not think that you ought to stop either for the engineers or for Sunday. Should any disaster happen in consequence of delay we should never forgive ourselves. General Salomon has already made considerable progress with his work. Underbrush which is not high enough to conceal a man can be left standing till the last. If the engineer comes, well and good; work on his plan. If he does not, work without it. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, C. H. DYER, Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.
Posted on: Wed, 14 May 2014 13:00:00 +0000
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