The military had the power with government backing to take over the running of the railroad including all of its employees, It wasn’t that the railroad workers were automatically enlisted but they were employees of the railroad company and by default belonged to the military for as long as the military required the use of the railroad.
Interestingly , the various Railroad companies were more than happy to hand over control, the Railroads were only on temporary lease to the military and when the military had finished with the railroad, the railroad companies were compensated, not only did they get a nice hand out of cash but quite a few of them ended up with a far better infrastructure than they had started out with. Some companies even had the audacity to insist that their railroad was returned to its original gauge and more than one company was insistent that the new rolling stock that the military has supplied could remain on their property providing they were compensated for its storage.
General Halleck‘s special order No 10 ensured that all railroads that were under his control but were no longer being used for military purposes were to be returned to the various companies. Its no surprise really that the military didn’t hang onto the railroads for longer than they needed to, it was apparently costing the government $1,300,000 per month to keep the military railroads up to scratch so they were extremely keen to hand them back to their former owners.
It was a win win situation for the owners of the railroad but not so good for its employees, if they wanted to maintain an income and keep their jobs on the railroads then they had to do as their new employers wanted, in this case it was the military. I bet a lot of those railroad crews were thinking to themselves ‘I didn’t sign up for this’ but it was essential work and their skills were required, unfortunately the work that the crews were expected to do made them legitimate targets of war.
So, I guess, at the time it didn’t matter if they were enlisted or not, it was a very risk enterprise for all involved.
Allow me the opportunity to provide some facts in support of what you have stated, rather broadly.
No. 1- General Meigs writes Secretary of War Stanton, Aug. 21, 1865, that when he returned from Missouri on leave of duty… “he had found that the great lines diverging from Nashville, though ordered to be turned over under authority of the Secretary of War, dated July 21, 1865 were still under Government control, and he is informed that no responsible parties have as yet qualified themselves to take charge of them.” Adding…” Schedules of all rolling stock and railroad equipment the property f the United States are being prepared with a view to their sale.” [pgs. 101-102].
No. 2- On July 23, 1865 Brevet-Major J. D. Webster submitted a report to General Grant from Macon, Ga. He was given special orders to inspect the railroads of the south and then report to General Sherman, and recommended the following; that the rails being operated by the U. S. be turned over to their respective companies as soon as possible to loyal, competent officers that can be elected by them, so the accounts can be properly adjusted. Webster doubted the Government’s ability to operate the roads at a premium. That the U. S. not put the roads into thorough repair merely for the benefit of the companies. All work except what is found necessary for the safety of trains be suspended.
“All repairs to locomotives and cars in which the companies have any claim should be stopped at once, as should also the rolling mill at Chattanooga.” [pg. 102]
To adjust accounts, after explaining his own opinions of what would be right and that which should be considered wrong, it was later left up to the courts to decide. Webster claimed that due to the voluntary use of the railroads as an aid to the rebels, no claim for damages should be entertained for a moment (remunerations). Finally he advised that all future obligations for transporting troops and supplies for the convenience of the Government be agreed upon before handing the ownership to them.
Special Orders, No. 328, dated June 23, 1865
“No. 5,- BVT. Maj. Gen. J. D. Webster, U. S. Volunteers, is hereby temporarily detached from the staff of Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman, and will proceed without delay on a tour of inspections of the railroads of the Southern States, reporting upon their present condition and ability to transport the U. S. Mails. In his report he will consider all the subjects mentioned in the letter of instructions which will be given him, and such other matters pertaining to the Southern railroads as in his investigations may suggest themselves. Etc.
Upon the execution of this order General Webster will report to Major-General Sherman for duty. By command of Lieutenant-General Grant.” [pg.59].
Tennessee auditor’s report for that Department showed an average payment for men employed per month at $779, 644.85. Number of men employed, fiscal year, 13, 043.
All accounts by audit prepared for payment, avg. $940,734.95 per month; total, $11,288,819.78 for the year fiscal year of June 30, 1864- July 1, 1865. [pg.86].
Cost of labor in June and July, payroll; for June, $117,866,.91; for July, $76,361. [pg.100]
No. 3- “The agreement made early in the war with a convention of railroad companies has continued in force through all the changes in values which the war has brought. [pg.230].
As of Nov. 8, 1865, nearly all the railroads had been transferred over to either presidents, directors or [board of public works (Virginia)]. “In the Atlantic States was the policy has been to deliver up the roads in whatever condition they were left by the fortune of war at the moment of transfer.” [pg. 234].
All questions of ownership, material claims, and such as in depot were left for decision in the courts. “The United States merely retires, leaving the lawful owners to resume their property.” [235].
All the materials collected and not used were sold back to the companies at a fair valuation, and upon credit, plus or minus.
“The rolling stock and moveable machinery have been hired to the railroads desiring their use until arrangement s could be made for a sale.” [pg. 235].
Source: Official Records, Series 3, Volume 5.
Thank you for replying
@Waterloo50, my Sunday evening would have been much duller without it.
Lubliner.