|
Holston Bridge E. Ten Jany 9th 1863 |
| |
| Colonel J. F Gilmer |
| Chief of Engineer Bureau |
| Richmond Va. |
| |
| Colonel, |
| I reached the Holston today after two
detentions from failures of connection by the trains. We passed the
Watauga this morning, giving me time to note the work to be done. The
Watauga consists of two spans of 125 feet each. It was a Howe Truss. The
height of the rails above the water, about 50 ft., the rails being laid
on top of the bridge structure. A portion of the iron rods and angle
iron castings can be used in replacing the structure. The Holston was of
the same plan, and about the same height of the Watauga. The length of
permanent bridge structure will be about 450 ft. with about 80 feet of
trestle bridging connecting with the banks. A majority of the iron rods
and castings in this bridge can be used again and I think about 1/4 of
the wood work. Not more than one fourth of the wood work was consumed,
but much of it was shattered by falling. |
| The R. R. Co. has taken the remains of the
bridge out of the river & piled the materials on either bank. One
engine, four freight cars, and one passenger car have been taken over
the iron to ply between the bridges. |
| Before my arrival at Knoxville, Maj. Genl.
E. Kirby Smith had instructed Mr. Maxwell to rebuild the bridges. Mr.
Maxwell is the contractor who rebuilt the bridge on the Nashville &
Chattanooga R. R. over the Tennessee River at Bridgeport. He has an
organized force of skilled labor and can accomplish the work in a
shorter period of time than I could possibly complete it without his
force and services. On receiving your dispatch, I telegraphed Maxwell to
meet me in Knoxville, believing that the better course would be to put
the work into his hands and aid him in obtaining materials. |
| Maxwell's proposition, accepted by Genl.
Smith fixes no definite day for the completion of the bridges. His
opinion is that Watauga can be in readiness to pass the trains by Feby
1st and Holston by Feb. 20th. The compensation for superintendence, ???
and use of tools is to be 20 pr. ct. upon the cost of the work. Timber
designed for a bridge on the Knoxville & Kentucky R. R. now in Knoxville
will be taken for the Watauga. The work of framing will be commenced on
the 12th. Timber for Holston will be obtained in the Pine region of
Georgia. |
| It would be well to have duplicate bridges
framed and housed in Ga. in anticipation of similar disasters hereafter. |
| Very Respectfully |
| L. P. Grant |
| Capt. Engs P. A. |
| {both bridges were on the East
Tennessee & Virginia RR} |