Letter from Clifford Percival to John H. Devereux, October 13, 1863

An engineer/machinist escaped from the South inquires about employment opportunities on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad.

Jamaica
Oct. 13, '63

Sir,

I have heard lately that you are in want of Machinists + Engineers on your road. If such should be the case I would like to come on there. I am both Machinist & Engineer I have been running in Louisiana for the past six years and have been up North since last May. I learned my trade in the Staunton Locomotive Works. There is a friend of mine here that would like to come too he is a good hand. Please answer as soon as convenient and obliged.

Yours most respectfully

Clifford Percival
Jamaica
Long Island
New York to J. H. Deveraux
Supt. O + A Rd.