| From the Jacksonville (Ala.) Republican |
| |
| October 10, 1863 |
| |
| Blue Mountain & Rome Railroad |
| The question has been very properly asked by the Selma
Reporter, "Why the Blue Mountain & Rome Railroad has not been built" --
or at least "why it is not under better progress of construction at this
time?" |
| It is indeed a wonder that the Government has not
finished this road long ago, as a military necessity. There is no
expenditure of the war that has been made, that would have remunerated
half so surely or so rapidly, as to have filled up this connection, and
thus have effected a continuous rail from Meridian, Miss. to
Kingston, Ga. |
| Let us look at the situation. From Meridian to
Kingston, by way of Mobile and Montgomery -- the most expeditious and
surest route of transportation for troops and munitions of war, the
distance is 555 miles. By way of Blue Mountain and Rome, 320 miles -- a
saving of 225 miles in distance. |
| There are in addition to the 225 miles by the Mobile
route, four changes to be made -- two at Mobile, one at Montgomery and
another at West Point, (on account of the break of guage,) while by the
Rome route, when the bridge across the Tombigbee is completed, the
same cars may run through without a single change. This give another
saving of at least 100 miles -- in fact it is more than double that
distance, all things taken into consideration. We may safely say 320
miles against 760. |
| From New Orleans to Richmond, by way of Mobile and
Wilmington, the distance is 1481 miles, while by Blue Mt. and Rome and
the Tennessee route it is 1188 miles, with at least four less
changes to be made. The facts are too apparent to need further comment. |
| The distance from Blue Mountain to Rome (which
completes this short route) is 61 miles. Three fourths of the
grading has already been done, and three months of active work
would complete the remainder. |
| There is another consideration urging the necessity of
this connection, which we do not believe has had its due influence with
those who have the matter of furnishing iron in charge. By this route
the Shelby Coal Fields are only 220 miles from Atlanta, and the
transportation may be made without breaking bulk; while by river
and Montgomery, the distance is 330 miles with three transhipments. This
coal is equal if not superior to any in the Confederate States, and
would be of incalculable value to Georgia at this time. Some of the best
iron in the State of Alabama will also be within twenty-four hours run
of Atlanta when this road is completed -- to say nothing of valuable
marble, &c &c. |
| Can it be that the Government Officials fully
appreciate the advantages of this work? And if so, why has not the Blue
Mountain & Rome Railroad been built? |