Robert E. Lee to Jefferson Davis

I am aware that it will take some time to regulate & perfect the Piedmont R. R. & that the whole difficulty cannot at once be overcome by the Governments taking it in charge - Its condition is so important to our military operations as well as to the welfare of the community that I venture to enclose a letter lately recd from Genl Martin. I do not see how a road can be worked advantageously & to its full extent without a regular schedule for running the trains - Under a temporary pressure it might be operated by special instructions by telegraph - I understood that the road was so operated while under charge of the Danville Compy, & I presume there is some reason for continuing it, but as soon as a fixed schedule can be established & regular connections made with the roads north & south the better. I would also suggest that a competent Engineer with four or five hundred labourers be sent to ditch drain & repair the road along its whole extent. From the character of the present Supt I trust the road if once put in good order, will be efficiently managed. I have the honour to be

Your obt servt

R. E. Lee Genl