Letter from A. S. Livermore to F. S. Blount; April 28, 1864

Grenada Miss April 28^th 1864

F S Blount Chief Agent of Impressment Mobile Ala

Sir

Yours of April 10^th_" enclosing Commission rec'd—I have forwarded the papers to L. R. Melson? Sheriff of our County at Coffeeville Miss.—

There are many difficulties in the mode of Impressment prepared which will operate very disadvantageously—

It has been necessary for the last two years to impress all hands necessary for Road on Track repairs as it is impossible to hire—The limited Time (20 days) of this first impressment rendered the hands comparitively useless, as Railroad work requires some knowledge of the same before hands can be made very available; and again we will be constantly reguiring new impressments as the time of hands expires—again it is impossible to select an Overseer for the negroes who suit their owners, and at the same time be of any overseerservice to the Road. For Railroad Work, you are well aware it requires some one who understands the business from long practice, and such men as we have in the employ of the Co,—Theretofore the Commanders of this Dept, have furnished us with labor, and we have had less trouble—Will you please write me your views as to the best plan of overcoming the difficulties in future.—I would suggest that (15 hands be impressed from the 3 counties through which our Road Runs, (Yallabusha, Tallahatchie & Panola) for a lengthened period of time not less than 3 Months— Impressed labor is at best very indifferent and it requires us to excert our utmost powers to render it as available as possible—

Very Respee Yours

chief A. S. Livermore (Miss. Ten. R R)