|
Atlanta Ga. May 15th 1863 |
| |
| Colonel J. F. Gilmer |
| Chief of Engineer Bureau |
| Richmond Va. |
| |
| Colonel, |
| With the assistance of Saml. G. Jones
Chief Engineer of the Ala. & Florida & Western R. Roads I have arrived
at the following approximate estimate of cost of the proposed connection
of the Rail road system at Montgomery Ala. |
| Graduation |
|
$53,200 |
| Masonry & Bridging |
|
24,500 |
| Cross-ties & laying track |
|
5,000 |
| 180 tons iron rails |
@ $150 |
27,000 |
| Chairs & Spikes |
|
2,500 |
| Right of way |
|
40,000 |
| Engineering & incidentals |
|
10,000 |
| |
|
$162,200 |
| Length of line -- 9,500 feet |
|
|
| Length of track including sidings -- 2 miles |
|
|
|
| Major J. L. Calhoun A. Q. M. at Montgomery
reports amount paid for drayage during the year 1863 to be $152,665.41.
This service has been performed by Jos. R. Powell under a contract with
the Govt in 1861. |
| Major Calhoun estimates the value of
Horses, mules, wagons, drays & harnesses necessary to perform this
service to be $111,425.00 and the annual expense including deterioration
to be $232,466.75. No separate account has been kept of the cost of
drayage between the Rail Roads. Much of the freight has been transferred
to steam boats would doubtless have been sent by Rail road had the
connection existed. |
| The alignment of the proposed connection
is easy and the inclination of the grade line is at the rate of 40 feet
per mile, being the same as the maximum inclination on the Ala. &
Florida R. Road. Some savings in cost of gradation could be effected by
fixing the inclination of the grade line at 60 ft. per mile, but I do
not recommend this change. The ultimate value of the
connection would be impaired by increasing the rate of grade. The Rail
Road system at Montgomery comprises of finished and in progress five
Roads. Two on the south side, and thee on the north side of the city.
The proposed connection will be common to the five Roads, and such
others as may be added to this system. The argument in favor of a
connection of the present finished Roads as a Govt. necessity is
somewhat weakened by the difference of guage. The transshipment will be
made however without cost to the Govt. and the delay will be under one
half. |
| The proposed line crosses the main
business street on the crest of the River bank within about 200 feet of
the Steamboat landing, at an elevation of 16 feet above the grade of the
street. In my opinion, no line can be traced between the Roads which
will offer less objections to property holders in the city than the one
upon which the estimate is based. |
| With a full working force, the connection
can be made in six months. To effect this, will require about 200 hands.
The character of the work is such that a much larger force could not be
worked to advantage. |
| As an ultimate great public necessity, the
importance of the connection cannot be overestimated. As a present Govt.
necessity you are more competent to judge of its importance than
myself. |
| Very Respectfully |
| L. P. Grant |
| Capt. Engrs. P. A. C. S. |
| {Map
of Montgomery Railroads} |