| Richmond |
| 15 Mch 1863 |
| |
| Honorable Jas. A. Seddon |
| Sec of War C. S. A. |
| Richmond, Va |
| |
| Sir, |
| The undersigned would most
respectfully present for your favorable consideration the importance of
the NE & SW Ala. RR {Northeast & Southwest Alabama
RR} as a military necessity. |
| The SW terminus of this road
is at Meridian on the Mobile & Ohio Ry R in the state of Missi,
connecting thence by the Southern R. R. with Vicksburg. Its NE terminus
is near Gadsden Ala. connecting thence by the Wills Valley RR with
Chattanooga Ten. The distance between termini of the NE & SW Ala RR is
207 miles, of the Wills Valley 89. Making entire distance from Meridian
to Chattanooga 296 miles from Tuskaloosa to Chattanooga and distance of
more than 200 miles the route lies through the richest mineral lands in
the Confederacy, furnishing a cheap and inexhaustible supply of iron ore
of the best quality lying in all of its variety, as well as nitre,
timber & other materials necessary for our military & naval defences.
For purposes of transportation no line of road could afford greater
facilities for either troops, or army stores & supplies. In this point
of view the completion of the connection between Chattanooga and
Meridian is more important as the Charleston & Memphis RR and all lines
of communication north are now in the hands of the enemy. |
| The importance of developing
the mineral resources of the Confederacy this line is ???. On the SW 27
1/2 miles are completed & in running order; about 100 miles more graded
????? for bridging trestle work cross ties &c ????? The remaining
grading to be done is of an easy & cheap character & with the necessary
pecuniary means can be finished ????? are herewith submitted, showing
the location of its connection & extent of mineral country through which
it passes. An examination of which will present in a more intelligible &
convincing form the importance of the Road as a military necessity to an
??? argument oral or written however elaborated. But the importance of
the road admittedly the question is at once asked -- Where is the Iron
to be had for its completion? Here your memorialist is fully aware is
the great trouble in the way of its speedy completion; and frankly
admits he has no source from which it can be obtained but to make it in
the Confederacy and this seems our only reliance for iron to clothe the
roads being built as well as to keep in repair in repair those now in
operations: Hence it is the true policy of the Government to encourage
the production & manufacture of iron by affording facilities of access
to transportation from the most favorable localities for its cheap
production or manufacture, as well as by extending encouragement to
parties for its production & manufacture by direct aid for that specific
purpose. In this view the NE & SW R. R. presents by its location &
connections claims that commend it above all other lines to the
favorable & patronage of the Government ??? ??ing the Wills Valley RR &
other connecting lines ????? ??it is the main trunk it unlocks &
develops the west country. ????? the line of the NE & SW RR th?? ??? are
now engaged in putting ??? extensive furnaces for the production of Pig
Iron. There are also two Rolling Mills being put up near the p?? of
intersection of this & the Ala. & Ten. Central RR one of them by Mr F.
M. Gilmer of Montgomery Ala who may exten?? contracts with the
Government & to ??? its Government has extended very liberal material
aid, the other by Messrs McElwain & Co company experienced Iron Masters
who have already proposed to the NE & SW Ala. RR Co. to furnish them a
large amount of iron payable in the stock and bonds of the company. |
| On the line of the Wills
Valley RR now in operation to Trenton Ga. 20 miles from Chattanooga
there are also several black furnaces being erected and in Rome Ga there
is a Rolling Mill for manufacturing iron rails near completion from
which the Valley road expects to get iron for its completion. The
grading on this road is all done & the track about ready for the iron. |
| The NE & SW Ala. RR Co. have
an extensive & valuable land grant of which 288,834 acres have been
located lying in the mineral region penetrated by their Road. The whole
grant if ??? lands can be found within 15 miles on either side of the
Road to satisfy will amount to more than 750,000 acres. If we estimate
the value of the lands belonging to this company, by the value of
mineral lands along the line of other R. Rds not so varied, or so rich
their lands alone will be worth on the completion of the road a greatly
more than the entire cost of its construction. |
| {End of copy in
Robert Jemison's copy book} |
|