| From the Anderson (S. C.) Intelligencer |
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| February 2, 1865 |
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| The Recent Freshet |
| The damage done by the heavy rains, some three weeks
ago, was incalculable. From almost every section we hear of enormous
losses sustained, and particularly upon the railroads in North Carolina
and this State. The interruption of communication and forwarding of
supplies to Gen. Lee's army has caused serious inconvenience; and as the
people of this section have received only partial accounts, we think it
proper to advert briefly to the extensive damages sustained. |
| The long trestle at Kingsville, on the South Carolina
Railroad, was washed away, but we presume has been repaired ere this.
The Charlotte & South Carolina Railroad also suffered, but has been
repaired. Two bridges on the North Carolina Central Road were carried
off and we learn that twenty-four miles of the Piedmont Road from
Greensboro', N. C. to Danville, Va., was entirely demolished. The latter
is probably rebuilt. |
| The Greenville & Columbia Railroad suffered greatly.
All the trestle work between Alston and Columbia was swept completely,
and we learn that in some places the track was left in deep ravines,
resembling an old railroad cut. Between Chappell's Depot and Saluda
Bridge the trestling was removed, and that about Hurricane Creek,
between Williamston and Greenville, was destroyed. The cars, however,
are now running from Greenville to Alston. The heaviest loss sustained
by this Company is upon the Anderson Branch. The rock masonry -- a
splendid piece of work -- at the trestle over Broadway, caved in, and is
now a total wreck. It will require some months to repair the damage at
Broadway and erect even a temporary affair. |
| We understand that repairs are being energetically made
between Alston and Columbia, and in a few weeks, it is believed, the
trains will make regular trips over the main line. The great
inconvenience to our people and to soldiers arriving home on furlough,
should induce the authorities to hasten its completion. We presume a
temporary arrangement will be effected to transport the mails and
passengers from this point to Belton. |
| Throughout the up-country, there has been considerable
loss in the injury done to mills and bridges. The waters were higher
than since 1852, and in some instances swept off bridges and broke
mill-dams that remained unshaken at that period. |
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