| Annual Report of the Richmond & York
River RR |
| as of October 1, 1863, |
| Superintendent's Report |
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| Report of Master of Transportation |
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| Office Richmond & York River Railroad
Co. |
| October 18th, 1863 |
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Alex. Dudley, Esq.
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Pres't.
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Sir,
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The following Report of the condition of roadway, bridges,
rolling stock, material, &c., on hand for the fiscal year ending September
30th, is respectfully submitted:
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Roadway
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The surface and alignment is in good order, but a large
amount of earth requires removing from the ditches in the cuts, which
sometimes fill to overflowing, from the sliding of slopes after heavy
rains.
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Of the force of negro prisoners employed for the gravel
train, on the 3d of September, twelve of the fifteen made their
escape, on the night of the 27th, from a guard of four (4) men
detailed from the City Battalion, and as it is impossible to hire
labor at this season, we will be unable to have any more ditching done
this year.
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Bridges
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Are in fair order, except Upper Black Creek -- one of the
abutments of which has given way, and requires rebuilding. Two have
been rebuilt during the year, namely, Lower Black Creek, which was
destroyed by the enemy; the other near 3 mile post, which was washed
away by heavy rains in July. Chickahominy Bridge should be filled up
as high at least as the bottom sills of the bents, as some of the
piles show signs of decay; which would have been done ere this had we
been able to retain the force employed for that purpose.
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Water Stations
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There has been put up an additional water tank near the
Gas Works, the one already there being insufficient to supply the
demand. The tank frame at Meadow station has been entirely renewed,
and we have a good supply of water for present purposes.
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Locomotives
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The Company has four, (4), two of which are in good
running order; the others need tires, and cannot be used until
supplied. Arrangements have been made with the Richmond & Danville
Railroad Co., to cast the tires as soon as we can obtain a sufficient
quantity of the right kind of iron.
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Cars
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We have one more box car than we had last year, which was
built in Company's shops. Another will be ready for service during the
present month. The number and condition of cars will be found in table
marked A.
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Casualties and Accidents
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On the 10th of January the enemy landed at White House;
burned and destroyed the freight house, containing about 300 bushels
of grain, also, a large portion of our wharf.
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Again, on the 25th of June they landed in large force;
advanced; burned Lower Black Creek Bridge, station and section houses
at Tunstall's, took up and carried away about four miles of rails, and
evacuated July 10th.
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On July 7th, while the evening train for Meadow station, with
government supplies, was passing near three mile post, a very heavy
rain falling at the time, it was discovered, when too late, that one
of the bents of the bridge near that point, had washed away. The
engineer not seeing anything wrong, ran on the bridge, precipitating
engine, tender and two freight cars a distance of ten feet.
Fortunately there was no one hurt.
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Annexed Tables, marked A, B and C, gives the number of
locomotives and cars, and their condition; also, the amount of
material, &c., on hand, with the present value thereof.
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John McFarland
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Master Transportation
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