|
Atlanta Ga Nov 13th 1862 |
| |
| Col J. F. Gilmer |
| Chf of Engineer Bureau |
| Richmond Va |
| |
| Col, |
| In accordance with your letter of
instructions I have confered with the Presidents and Directors of the
companies holding the Charters for the link of Rail Roads proposed to be
constructed from Rome Ga to Blue Mountain Ala. In this I do not include
the Dalton & Jacksonville R. R. Co. the Managers of which I have as yet
been unable to meet. The Charter of the D. & J. R. R. Co gives the
option to pass through Rome or west of that place. The Geo & Ala R. R.
Co holding the Charter from Rome Southward to the State line -- 24 miles
has graded equivalent to ten (10) miles of Road Way and finished a
superior bridge structure over the Etowah River. The Directors of the Co
will promptly proceed with the work if iron rails chairs & spikes can be
procured. The Charter in Alabama is now held by the Ala & Tenn River R.
R. Co. Nine and one half (9 1/2) miles from Blue Mountain to
Jacksonville was embraced in the original charter of that Company which
extended from Selma to Gadsden via Jacksonville. The Legislator
{Legislature} of Ala now in session has
amended the Charter giving said Company the right to construct the Road
from Jacksonville to the State line in the direction of Rome Ga. This
Company has completed 135 1/2 miles of Road from Selma to Blue Mountain.
The work done between Blue Mountain and Jacksonville is equivalent to 7
miles of graded Roadway. No work has been done North of Jacksonville in
Ala. The distance from Jacksonville to the State line is 27 miles making
the whole length of the link 60 1/2 miles. |
| The President & Directors of the Ala &
Tenn River RR Co evince a determination and show the ability to
prosecute the work in Ala with energy if they can effect a purchase of
iron rails and fastnings. I have examined the profiles of the entire
link and find the grading required to be quite moderate, admitting of
rapid execution. With With full and efficient forces the link could be
completed in 7 months. The apparent inability of the Co. to purchase
iron rails at even an exorbitant price precludes the execution of
Contracts & Mortgages, as it would seem of no avail to prosecute the
work of grading and bridging without a strong assurance that the iron
rails could be procured. |
| The Companies ask the War Department to
appropriate the iron rails of unimportant Branch Roads for which they
propose to pay $125 pr ton. Should the Department consent to this course
I shall be prepared to furnish you with information respecting the
Branch Roads of Ala, Geo & Tenn. |
| A copy of the letter of Ben. E. Green of
Dalton Ga addressed to you was duly received and has been attended to. |
| Very Respectfully |
| L. P. Grant |
| Capt Eng P. A. C. S. |