President's Office, Charleston & Savannah
Railroad
| Charleston, December 24th, 1862 |
| |
| Col. Wm. W. Wadley |
| Acting Adj. Genl. |
| Richmond, Va. |
| |
| Dear Sir, |
| Your circular of the 17th inst. has
this moment reached me. In reply, I beg leave to state, that
although the Officers of this Road will take pleasure in cooperating
with you, to the fullest extent; yet it is not intended
thereby, to place the control of the road in other hands, than where
the Charter, and the voice of the Stockholders have signified such
management should be held, -- namely in the President and Board of
Directors. |
| Instructions will be given the Superintendent
of this Company to report to you, on such blank forms as you may
select, and otherwise to act in conformity with your views. |
On the following page you will please find a
full and accurate Report of the amount and condition of the Rolling
Stock of this company.
| Description of Rolling Stock |
No. used in Transportation |
No. in use on Gravel, Wood &
Construction |
No. used in Switching & Unfit
for other Service |
Unfit for Service |
Total Number |
Remarks |
| Locomotives |
8 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
12 |
One of these Engines was injured in a collision
during the Construction of the Road and previous to my
connection with it; and cannot be repaired until material can
be obtained |
| 1st Class pass. Cars |
8 |
|
|
1 |
9 |
|
| 2nd Class pass. Cars |
2 |
|
|
1 |
3 |
|
| Express, Bagg. & Mail |
3 |
|
|
0 |
3 |
|
| Stock Cars |
6 |
|
|
0 |
6 |
|
| Box Cars |
31 |
4 |
|
9 |
44 |
nine box cars, were made from
platform cars, but having no material to cover them, they leak
so as to damage freight-- they can be used however in
transporting troops |
| Platform Cars |
40 |
9 |
|
0 |
49 |
From 20 to 30 of the platform
cars are daily employed (Sunday excepted) in hauling
government timber for Harbor obstructions, Gun Boats,
Fortifications, & Bridges, etc. |
|
| From the above statement you will notice that
we have the capacity to transport only 4325 men in all
of our cars, including 1st & 2nd class passenger cars,
main, stock, box & platform cars, and then only, without
arms or ammunition, cannon, wagons, or horses. We have been
frequently called on to transport a much greater number of troops,
since an army has been stationed on this Road and since it has been
the line of communication; and that, necessary for reinforcements at
Charleston, Savannah, or intermediate points. |
| The Commissaries of this Department; I
understand, are unable to keep more than from one to three weeks
provisions, in advance of the demands, made for stores by the army
on this Road, inasmuch as they have not the supply. Notwithstanding
this, there are about 500,000 bushels of rice to be transported over
this Road and for which we have not the requisite rolling stock to
move. Some of this Rice has already been ruined by the weather,
while awaiting transportation; much more will undoubtedly be, unless
we receive aid in cars; and, in case of a successful attack on the
Road by the enemy, the whole will be liable to capture and
destruction. |
| An average of 3/4 of our Rolling Stock are in
daily use by the Government, and vary often every car in our
possession, although in their service, cannot meet their demands. It
has frequently occurred that provisions and other Government
stores, loaded but a few hours previous, have to be unloaded to make
room for the transportation of Troops. |
| During the last winter and spring, the Central
Railroad {of Georgia} loaned us 23 box
cars and the Greenville & Columbia Railroad 5 box cars, making
in all 28 more box cars that we had last winter which we have not
now, as they were returned by the demands of the owners. |
| From what I have stated, you will notice the
utter inability of this Company to do all the Government business
with promptness and dispatch, with their present Rolling Stock. The
Company could keep in constant motion 50 additional box cars
and they would be willing to purchase at a fair price for their
future business, one half of that number. Another disadvantage this
Company labors under, is the fact that the Ashley River separates
the Charleston Depot from the Road and the communication is made by
a not very reliable steamboat. This can be obviated in a great
measure by aid from the Government. |
| The State of South Carolina appropriated last
season a certain sum to construct a temporary bridge across the
Ashley River not only for the purpose of making a connection between
this Road and that of the South Carolina R. R., but also for the
purpose of saving the Rolling Stock of this Company in case of a
successful attack of the enemy on this Road. Inasmuch as most of the
Rolling Stock is kept at this end of the Road to meet the
requirements, there would be no means by which we could save our
cars and engines; if our Road was cut, without a connection
with the So. Ca. R. R. This Bridge is now nearly completed and all
that we require is the iron. As there is no opportunity to put in a
Turn Table on the East side of the Ashley River, all trains will
have to back in one direction or the other, in crossing the Bridge;
therefore, we ought to have good iron to run over. We have no spare
bars on the line of the Road; and but a small quantity of old
iron that was taken up from the Side Tracks of the So. Ca. R.
R., being considered too much worn and laminated to be used with
safety there. We would therefore desire to obtain about 100 to 110
tons of New Rails for this purpose. As the Superintendent of this
Road is absent on a visit to his sick family, I have thought it but
proper to answer your circular; -- with the aid of new Rail Road
Iron; and 50 additional box cars, I think I can safely promise, that
all business of the Government will be executed with the
utmost promptness, dispatch and satisfaction. |
| With my personal well wishes for your success, I
remain |
| Very respectfully yours, |
| Bently D. Hasell, Pres. |
| {File data on fold} B.
D. Hasell, President. Charleston & Savannah R. R. |
| Charleston, Dec. 24th 1862 |
| In reply to circular-Will cooperate but must retain
control of road in hands of President & board of directors. The
Supt. will be instructed to act in conformity to the views of Col.
Wadley. Reporting of Rolling Stock and its condition. Can only
transport 4,325 men. Is pressed with Commissary stores, besides 1/2
bu. rice. Has had 28 cars from Ga. C. R. R. & 5 from G. &
Co. R. R. but returned them. Wants 100 to 110 tons rails for bridge
over the Ashley now nearly completed, with this iron and 50 new cars
can safely promise all transportation promptly. |
|