| Annual Report of the Western & Atlantic
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| as of October 1, 1862, |
| Superintendent's Report |
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| Superintendent's Report |
| Office Sup't W. & A. Rail Road |
| Atlanta, Ga., Oct. 1, 1862 |
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To His Excellency, Joseph E. Brown:
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| Sir, |
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Agreeable to law, I hereby transmit to you a statement of
the operations of this Road for the fiscal year ending September 30th,
1862.
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| The gross income of the Road has been |
$1,379,101.79 |
| Working expenses and expenditures of all kinds |
380,831.38 |
| Nett profits |
$998,270.41 |
| Out of this there have been paid the following
large amounts: |
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| Into the State Treasury |
$440,000.00 |
| For expenses incurred by my predecessor |
$32,304.96 |
| For bonds and coupons |
$20,735.00 |
| And there is on hand now, as per Treasurer's
Report |
$183,233.60 |
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For a more detailed account of expenditures, ordinary and
extraordinary, see Table of our very efficient Principal Book-keeper,
Mr. Owen Lynch, herewith transmitted.
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The indebtedness of the Confederate Government to this
Road up to the 30th September, 1862, the end of the fiscal year,
amounted to $577,864.78; and would have been embodied in the nett
receipts of the Treasurer, had it been promptly paid. The payment,
however, is expected at an early day.
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The Treasurer's Report, and Financial Statement of the
Master of Transportation, will explain themselves, and doubtless prove
satisfactory; both of which are herewith transmitted.
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The past year's business has exceeded the most sanguine
expectations of every one.
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Indications at the beginning of the year did not
fore-shadow great success; but seemed to portend a great diminution of
the business of the Road, compared with preceding years.
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Very soon after the commencement of the year, two of our
most important bridges, across the Chickamauga river, were burned by
the incendiary enemies of our country, subjecting us to heavy
expenditures in having them rebuilt. In consequence of this disaster,
by which Rail Road communication with Chattanooga was cut off, we were
compelled to build a track a mile and a quarter in length, in order to
connect with the East Tennessee & Georgia Rail Road. For the use
of six and a half miles of their Road, for seven or eight weeks, while
our bridges were being rebuilt, we were charged $15,689.61; which
amount is still unsettled.
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If three thousand dollars, the annual amount paid by the
Atlantic & West Point Rail Road, for the use of the Macon &
Western Rail Road, from Atlanta to East Point -- six miles, be a
proper criterion by which to judge in such case, the amount to be paid
by us is, in my opinion, exorbitant and unjust.
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The prospect became still more discouraging when the
Memphis & Charleston and the Nashville & Chattanooga Rail
Roads -- two of the great feeders of this Road -- were cut off. In
addition to this, the corn and wheat crops for the past year have been
almost an entire failure; also, the supplies necessary to the
operations of the Road, already high, were constantly advancing in
price.
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Under these adverse circumstances, and notwithstanding
the gloomy prospect at the beginning of the fiscal year, I take great
pleasure in presenting what I consider a prosperous condition of the
Road and its financial affairs.
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Let it be remembered, that an unprecedented amount of
transportation has been done for the confederate Government, amounting
to about half of the entire business of the Road, for the whole year.
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This business has been done at the very low rates fixed
by a Convention of Rail Road men, and a Government Officer; which
rates were about half the usual prices; showing that this large sum
has been made by doing a vast amount of transportation, working the
Road to its utmost capacity, both night and day, during the greater
portion of the year.
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It is proper to remark, that, owing to the almost
fabulous prices of rail road supplies, and the advance in the price of
labor, it was deemed advisable to increase the rates of freight and
passage; other roads having done so.
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This Road being the property of the State of Georgia, and
her citizens having no other State property from which they can expect
any income by which to be relieved of the burdensome taxes which they
must necessarily pay; and as our own people contribute but a small
proportion to the income of the Road, I think they have a right to
expect that this magnificent work shall be so managed as to help them
in time of need: hence some advances in freight and passage. Every
exertion has been used to make this Road the great lever power by
which the burdens of taxation might, in some measure, be removed, and
the Road made to answer the great ends intended by the wise statesmen
who originated it.
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This year's heavy business has been done in extraordinary
times, amid the excitement and confusion of war; but I am rejoiced to
state, that it has been done promptly and safely, and with one
exception, without loss of life, limb, or property.
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The case referred to, was a collision, caused by military
interference; and the loss sustained by the Road, in this instance,
should I think, be paid by the Confederate Government.
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The entire line of Road is in excellent condition.
Mr. M. H. Dooly, the efficient Supervisor, reports to me, that out of
the eleven hundred tons of iron rails purchased by your Excellency,
between four and five hundred tons have been laid down, and that the
balance will be laid in six or eight months, if we can get spikes and
chairs. The most of the heavy rail, which have been, and are now
being, taken up, are much worn, and before being used again, will have
to be re-rolled. This being done, there will be enough to supply the
requirements of the Road for several years.
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In consequence of the great scarcity of labor, caused by
the war, we have not been able to keep an abundant supply of either
wood or cross-ties ahead; a great many cross-ties having been laid
down within the past few months. I think, however, that we will be
able to obtain ample supplies of both.
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Under the present Conscription Law, if the necessary
number of rail road hands cannot be detailed, our only resource will
be to employ negroes to keep up the track, and to do much of the
mechanical work.
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The bridges on the whole line of Road are in a good and
safe condition, having recently been thoroughly overhauled, and new
tressels put up, where necessary.
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Ample arrangements have been made to procure a sufficient
supply of lumber to repair all the depot platforms. This work would
have been done earlier, had it not been for the difficulty of
obtaining lumber. These repairs are now being made.
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Our Rolling Stock of every description has been terribly
cut up and much abused, and in many cases almost ruined, in the
transportation of troops. Notwithstanding these abuses, and the great
destruction of property, there are palliating circumstances, which
should be stated. We are required to transport our gallant soldiers in
great numbers, and in great haste. Close box cars were used
principally, and the weather being very warm, in order to get fresh
air, and prevent suffering, they cut the cars to pieces. Many also
rode on the tops of the cars, thereby tearing loose, and wearing out
the tin covering, which cannot now be replaced.
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Our cars have been pressed by the military authorities,
and taken on other roads.
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We have lost 180 cars; many of which are on the Mobile
& Ohio Rail Road, in Mississippi, and other Roads. These are lost
beyond recovery, until we have connection with these Roads. Doubtless
many are destroyed, and never can be recovered. I trust the
Confederate Government will, at the proper time, make good these
losses to the Road.
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Up to this time, we have been able to keep our motive
power in good running order; but the difficulty of getting supplies
for our Engine and Machine Shops, of the various kinds absolutely
necessary, is now being seriously felt.
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For a more satisfactory account of the condition of our
motive power, and the capacity, operations, &c., of each engine, I
refer you to the very elaborate report of our efficient Master
Machinist, Mr. John H. Flynn, herewith transmitted.
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The Committee appointed by the house of Representatives,
at its last session, to examine into the condition of the Road, have
performed that duty. Their investigation was a very thorough one, and
their labors arduous. Their Report will, doubtless, throw much light
on the condition of the Road, its management, &c., such as I could
not give in this Annual Report. It was gratifying to me that such an
examination was made, and will, I trust, be also to the citizens of
the State, on their seeing the Report of the Committee.
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The labor of the officers and hands on the Road has,
during the greater portion of the year, been unusually heavy. They
have worked almost night and day for months together; and the
successful management of the Road is owing, in a great measure, to the
energy and faithfulness with which they have performed their arduous
duties. For the great assistance thus rendered me by both officers and
laborers, I return my sincere thanks.
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Having been authorized by an Act of the last Legislature
to issue change bills, and, as Superintendent, sign the same, I
entered upon the performance of that duty, and found that it would
consume the greater portion of my time, and that by reason of such
employment, I could not attend to the more important requirements of
the Road. I stated these facts to your Excellency; whereupon, by your
order, I employed William Gresham to sign the bills for me; which duty
he performed neatly and satisfactorily. For the proper understanding
of that branch of the business, I refer you to the Report of Mr.
William Grisham, which is herewith transmitted.
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Should the Legislature deem it proper to continue the
issuing of change bills by the Road, respectfully suggest the
propriety of the passage of an Act authorizing the issue of bills of
the denomination of $2, $5, and $10, in addition to the authority
already given. This would save an immense amount of labor in signing
bills, answer a most excellent purpose in making change for the
payment of the employees of the Road, and become a good and safe
circulating medium -- probably the best in the country. I think, also,
that the issue of each denomination should be properly limited, as
heretofore.
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During the short time I have been connected with this
Road, I am more firmly fixed in the opinion, which I have long
entertained, that it is the greatest State investment in this
Government, and that, under proper management, it becomes an
inestimable blessing to every citizen of our great State, and that it
will be a lasting monument to the wise and good men who originated the
great work.
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Respectfully submitted,
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John S. Rowland, Sup't.
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