| Florida Railroad Office |
| Gainesville, Apr 28th, 1864 |
| |
| Maj. Genl. Paten Anderson |
| Comdg |
| |
| Dear Sir, |
| An agent of the Government
having recently proposed to tear up the track of the Florida Railroad
for the purpose of using its material in constructing a roadway between
Live Oak in this State, and Lawton in Georgia, this company sued out an
injunction to restrain and arrest the proceeding. |
| I have thought it proper to
address you for the purpose of saying that while this company felt
constrained to adopt this course in regard to the connection proposed,
it is prepared, in a spirit of concession to public utility, and, in
concert with the Florida, Atlantic & Gulf Central R. R. Co., as
heretofore communicated to Genl Beauregard, to promote and expedite the
connection about being made between Monticello and Thomasville. |
| The connection between Live
Oak and Lawton was projected as a commercial road in hostility to the
general policy and interests of the State, and, especially, of the
Eastern section of it, which comprises one half in population and
territory and which is much the most important part of the State in
respect to its military value to the Confederacy. The private influences
interested, availing themselves of the advantage of circumstances, have
sought, from the beginning of the war, through various devices, to
engage the Government, in an assumption of the expense of making it for
them, in which they have only now succeeded. But we object to its being
done at the cost of this company, and of the people of East Florida. If
the Government calls upon East Florida for an extraordinary sacrifice,
we respectfully submit that the burthen should rather be lightened by so
applying the means taken from them as to cause the least possible damage
to their present condition and future prosperity, than aggravated by a
contrary course, harshly insisted upon. |
| The location of the Live Oak
connection will not in my humble judgment, be as favorable to military
purposes as that at Monticello, and, after the war, could prove,
especially if made by the destruction of track in East Florida, of
permanent and serious damage to the value of the property of the
companies of East Florida, and to the interests and convenience of the
community. |
| The companies in East Florida
are willing to aid the Government in obtaining, for military
convenience, a connection between the Georgia and Florida systems of
roads, and, in this view, can properly, and will, aid the Monticello
connection, because |
| It will not require so much
iron as will materially impair the present defences and future prospects
of East Florida, while it would be quite otherwise with the Live Oak
connection. |
| And they think the Government
should prefer it for the following, among various other reasons: |
| 1st Because the distance being
28 (twenty-eight) miles less, involves the consumption of that much less
of iron, the value of which, in the present state of the country, is
inestimable; |
| 2nd Because it is being made
by private capital, while the Live Oak connection is to be made at the
cost of several millions to the Government, which it can illy afford in
its present financial embarrassments, and ought not to be added to the
burthen of the tax payers if it can be avoided; |
| 3rd Because it penetrates a
country rich in military supplies; while the other traverses a
comparatively barren region; |
| 4th Because it combines an
advantageous interior connection, (in the direction of Macon and
Atlanta,) with one sufficiently good to Savannah; |
| 5th Because the possession of
the Peninsula of Florida is important to the cause, and the iron
required for the Monticello connection will least endanger its loss. |
| 6th Because the Monticello
connection has received the direct and deliberate sanction of the
Legislature of the State, as a road proper for the public interests to
be authorized, while the other was devised and adopted by the companies
owning it, with reference to their special corporate advantage. This
reason ought the more to weigh with the Government, because it should
avoid interference with the internal policy of a State. |
| 7th Because the Government
ought not, by throwing the weight of its sword into the scale, to allow
its power to be made instrumental in carrying out a scheme of private
advantage whereby the commercial interests of one important portion of a
community equally loyal and deserving, may be subordinated, for an
indefinite time, to the rival and hostile interest of another. |
| The substantial want of the
Government is for a connection. As private enterprize is now engaged in
providing it, the Govt should stand aside, and let those who are
interested in the various routes go on with their work. If the effect of
competing interests is to produce two roads, so much the better for the
country. But, if only one is made, let it be that one, which, from the
intrinsic merit of its location, can secure to itself the capital and
private aid necessary to its success; which, indeed, furnishes the best
test of the public utility of a route. |
| At all events, as a connection
is now certain to be made, the Govt should as its most advisable and
just policy, avoid mixing itself with the local conflictions of interest
in the State. |
| The connection at Monticello,
can be made in less time than the other, the same appliances being
employed. |
| If the Govt has employed
contractors for the Live Oak work, I feel authorized to pledge their
employment upon the other work, upon terms satisfactory to themselves,
and without loss to the Government, if an arrangement is promptly
authorized. |
| I am, |
| Most respectfully, |
| Yr. obt servt |
| D. L. Yulee |
| Prest |
| |
| {on the back of the
document} |
| Hd Qrs Mily Dist of Fla. |
| May 1st, 1864 |
| Respectfully forwarded along
with a copy of my reply, for the information of the Secretary of War. |
| I have heretofore written to
Maj Genl Gilmer, Chf of Engineer Bureau, referring to some of the
advantages which the Government would, in my opinion, derive from the
adoption of the Monticello and Thomasville connection rather than the
one from Live Oak to Lawton. By reference to the map, it will be seen
that the latter is nearly thirty miles longer than the first: and is on
the east side of the Suwannee River. This river forms the only
military line of defence against an approach of the enemy from
Fernandina or the St Johns River, except that now held by us, of which
Baldwin is the base: Should Baldwin fall into the hands of the
enemy, the (proposed) connection at Live Ok and Lawton would be lost
together with the Peninsula which now furnishes beef, syrup, sugar &c.
If any turn in military affairs should occasion the loss of the
Savannah, Albany & Gulf Road towards or near Savannah, the Live Oak and
Lawton connection would be useless, while the Monticello and Thomasville
connection would, at least, bring Middle Florida within a little over
fifty miles of the railroad connections in interior Georgia at Albany.
A connection, between Thomasville and Albany, had been projected before
the breaking out of the war, and might now be completed if found
absolutely necessary. |
| The connection at Live Oak and
Lawton, has been graded, and some of the cross ties are on hand, but
trestling and bridging are to be constructed. No work has been done on
the Monticello and Thomasville connection, but little trestle and no
bridging are required on it. It is believed that the whole of the latter
connection, with the same amount of force, can be completed sooner than
the former, notwithstanding the grading has been finished and some of
the cross ties procured. The Monticello route saves from twenty-five to
thirty miles of iron, and whatever of bridging, (not inconsiderable,)
which has to be made on the Live Oak route. The Monticello route is
through a rich, agricultural country where labor and supplies can be
had, the Live Oak route has neither. For these reasons, I would promptly
give preference to the Monticello route, though if the Department has
already decided the question in favor of the Live Oak route, I shall
endeavor to reconcile conflicting interests as far as it may be in my
power to do so, and shall lend every energy to the work. One of the
other should be completed at an early day. |
| Patton Anderson |
| Maj. Genl. Comdg |
| |
| Hd Qr Dept S. C. Ga & Fla. |
| Charleston May 9, 1864 |
| Resp: forwarded to the A. & I. Genl. as
requested by Genl. Anderson |
| Sam. Jones |
| Maj. Genl. |
| |
| Respy submitted to the Sec of War |
| H. L. Clay |
| May 27/64 |
| |
| Engineer Bureau |
| 10 June 1864 |
| Respy, returned to Hon Sec of War. The
question submitted within has been under advisement in the Engr Bureau &
carefully considered. Genl. Gilmer & Lt. Col. Minor Meriwether,
Engineers in charge were strongly in favor of the connection East of the
Allapahaw, principally because the grading was finished & the line
susceptible of more rapid realization. I have telegraphed to Genl.
Gilmer for his present opinion & will communicate his reply. |
| The work I believe is underway. |
| A L Rives |
| Col. & Actg. Chf. Bu. |
|