| From the Atlanta Intelligencer |
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| October 29, 1863 |
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| Blue Mountain & Rome Railroad |
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The question has been very properly asked by the Selma
Reporter, "Why the Blue Mountain & Rome Railroad has not been
built" -- or at least, "why it is not under better progress
of construction at this time?"
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It is indeed a wonder that the Government has not
finished this road long ago, as a military necessity. There is
no expenditure of the war that has been made, that would have
renumerated half so surely or so rapidly, as to have filled up this
connection, and thus have effected a continuous rail from
Meridian, Miss. to Kingston, Ga.
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Let us look at the situation. From Meridian to Kingston,
by way of Mobile and Montgomery -- the most expeditious and surest
route of transportation for troops and munitions of war, the distance
is 555 miles. By way of Blue Mountain and Rome, 320 miles -- a saving
of 225 miles in distance.
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There are in addition to the 225 miles by the Mobile
route, four changes to be made -- two at Mobile, one at Montgomery,
and another at West Point, (on account of the break of gague,) while
by the Rome route, when the bridge across the Tombigbee is completed,
the same cars may be run through without a single change.
Thus gives another saving of at least 100 miles -- in fact it is more
than double that distance, all things taken into consideration. We may
safely say 320 miles against 700.
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From New Orleans to Richmond, by way of Mobile and
Wilmington, the distance is 1,481 miles, while by Blue Mountain and
Rome and the Tennessee route, it is 1,188 miles with at least four less
changes to be made. The facts are too apparent to need further
comment.
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The distance from Blue Mountain to Rome (which completes
this short route) is 64 miles. Three-fourths of the grading has
already been done, and three months of active work would
complete the remainder.
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There is another consideration urging the necessity of
this connection, which we do not believe has had its due influence
with those in charge. By this route the Shelby Coal Fields are only
220 miles from Atlanta, and the transportation may be made without
breaking bulk;" while by the river and Montgomery, the
distance is 330 miles with three transshipments. This coal is equal,
if not superior, to any in the Confederate States, and would be of
incalculable value to Georgia at this time. Some of the best iron in
the State of Alabama will also be within twenty-four hours run of
Atlanta, when this road is completed -- to say nothing of valuable
marble, &c., &c.
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Can it be that the Government Officials fully appreciate
the advantages of this work? And if so, why has not the Blue Mountain
& Rome Railroad been built?
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Jacksonville (Ala.) Republican
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{The Blue Mountain RR was the extension of the
Alabama & Tennessee River RR}
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