| From the Daily Picayune (New Orleans, La.) |
| |
| September 26, 1861 |
| |
| Railroad Communication with Virginia |
| We have been favored by A. B. James, Esq.,
with the following letter received by him, which we publish for general
information: |
| Burnesville, Miss., Sept. 22, 1861 |
| A. B. James, Esq.: |
| Dear Sir, |
| I reached here this morning at 4 o'clock,
and will remain until 1 this evening. I had much difficulty at Grand
Junction to get the goods reshipped, and I must say that I have never
seen a set of men so little disposed to assist me or give me any
information. It appears that no good feeling exists between the New
Orleans and Jackson Road and the Memphis & Charleston Road, and when
freight is received at Grand Junction it has to remain there until they
choose to forward it; and the agent at that place, from his manner,
appears to think the road belongs to the Adams Express Company. I must
have the goods again transferred to the Chattanooga cars, and take the
passenger cars for that place. In haste, very respectfully, |
| Robert McRee |
| The uncertainty of railroad travel and
transportation between this city and Richmond has been for some time the
subject of common remark and great and just complaint. Of the New
Orleans, Jackson & Great Northern Railroad we hear no complaints. On the
contrary, travel and transportation on that road, we have always
understood, is effected with praiseworthy regularity. It is the Memphis
& Charleston, and the Virginia and East Tennessee Railroads and their
officers which generally are the subject of severe comment. |
| Something should be done to secure
uninterrupted communication between this city and Richmond. Important at
all times, it is particularly so during the existence of war, and the
lack of it, now that the cold weather is beginning to be felt by our
brave volunteers in Virginia, and winter clothing for them is now going
forward, is especially annoying. |
| If, as the writer of the above letter
suggests, the Memphis & Charleston Railroad agents give a preference to
other freight over that of the Government, it may become necessary for
the public interest that the Government shall assume the control of that
road. We trust, however, that the President of the road will promptly
disavow the action of his agents between Grand Junction and Chattanooga,
and issue such explicit instructions to them as will obviate all further
complaint. In these times it is the duty of all loyal men to give all
the aid they can to the Government in its manifold operations; and as
railroad companies and their agents possess great power, they should not
only be careful, but desirous to use it for the public welfare. |
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