| From the Lynchburg Virginian |
| August 11, 1864 |
| |
| Little Otter Bridge {on
the Virginia & Tennessee RR} |
| We were one of a party who
visited this work Tuesday evening, at the polite invitation of
President Owen. Twenty five or thirty gentlemen took passage on a
special train, and in an hour and a half wee at their destination. The
bridge is an enormous structure -- probably the most extensive piece
of trestle work in the Confederacy. Its length is 725 feet, and the
height between 90 and 100 feet. The work seems to be executed in the
strongest and most approved manner. The timers are large and nicely
hewn, and present a handsome as well as a substantial appearance. At
the highest points they are doubled, one resting on the top of
another, securely fastened together by braces, bolts, sills, etc. The
bridge will be completed so that the trains will pass over on Monday
or Tuesday next. The last gap in the road will then be filled, and the
cars will run over its entire extent. Great credit is due to the
officers of the road for the energy displayed in rebuilding the burnt
bridges. An enormous amount of the heaviest and most difficult work
has been performed in a comparatively brief period. The enterprise and
experience of Maj. Goodwyn, the Superintendent, have tended greatly to
hasten forward the work. Under his superintendence and the general
direction of the President, the mischief of Hunter and Averill has
been very summarily disposed of. The Depots have not been re-built,
but their absence will not interfere with the running of the road.
Only one is standing between Lynchburg and Wytheville -- that at Big
Spring, where the Yankees did not go. |
|