| Annual Report of the Petersburg RR |
| as of January 1, 1866, |
| President's Report |
| |
| President's Report |
| |
| Office Petersburg Rail Road Company |
| January 1st, 1866 |
| |
|
To the Stockholders of the Petersburg Railroad Co.:
|
| |
|
Gentlemen,
|
|
At the time of the last Annual Report {January
1, 1865}, our track had been destroyed or torn up for 16 miles
south from Petersburg, and also for a similar distance between
Nottoway and Belfield -- in all 32 miles. Three bridges were also
destroyed on the road. The repairs were for the most part completed
and the road again opened between Stony Creek and Roanoke River early
in March {1865}. Subsequently it was
found necessary to abandon the line between Stony Creek and Belfield,
and upon the evacuation of Petersburg, in April, the rolling stock was
removed to the south side of the Roanoke. Upon an intimation that the
Roanoke bridge would be burned, and any rolling stock in its vicinity,
it was again removed further south. As soon as it could be done with
safety, it was collected from various roads, and floated across the
river to the north side, at Gaston. Great damage and losses had been
sustained, however, in rolling stock, caused chiefly by its being
destroyed or improperly used by military authority, and it was found
to be in a dilapidated condition in every respect.
|
|
*****
|
|
The principal debts by and due the company during the war
are as follows:
|
|
A debt of about $6,600 is due in England for materials
purchased, for the payment of which $12,000 of North Carolina bonds
were sent over as security, and it is believed that these bonds are
equal to the debt.
|
|
The Confederate Government was indebted to us about
$350,000, and the debts due us to parties in Virginia amounted to
about $250,000 in Confederate money.
|
|
There were taken up from the Seaboard & Roanoke
Railroad about 3 miles of rails and placed in our track, by military
authority, which the Seaboard R. R. Company have claimed after the
war, and we have agreed to pay the value of the iron.
|
|
A number of cars were rented of the Seaboard R. R.
Company, of which eleven were destroyed, and by agreement, must be
paid for.
|
|
*****
|
|
The bridges across the Roanoke at Gaston and Weldon were
burned, consequently all freights and passengers are transported
across the river in Ferry-boats. The Seaboard & Roanoke R. R.
Company are rebuilding the bridge at Weldon, and it will probably be
completed some time in April. *****
|
|
A saw mill was purchased during the war and established
about 15 miles south of Petersburg, and to save it from destruction
was removed 30 miles further south {to
Fountain's Creek}, to a point where there was no large quantity
of heart timber -- but nearly all the timber for our temporary
buildings and bridges has been cut by it. The necessity for the mill
is no longer imperative, and it is probable that a sale of it will be
deemed advisable.
|
|
The depot and other buildings at Stony Creek, Jarratt's
and Belfield were burned, *****
|
|
There were purchased 220 bales of cotton, 48 of which
were destroyed, leaving on hand 172 bales, which, at present prices,
are worth about $34,000.
|
|
*****
|
|
Respectfully submitted,
|
|
C. O. Sanford
|
|
President
|
|