| From the Richmond Dispatch |
| |
| February 6, 1862 |
| |
| Covington & Ohio Railroad |
| The completion of this important work to
the White Sulphur Springs is at present a subject of deep concern,
inasmuch as it has become necessary to the successful prosecution of
the war in Western Virginia. It is understood that its importance is
fully appreciated by the Confederate Government, and that there is a
decided willingness to co-operate with the State authorities in the
adoption of measures to carry on the work. The plan now under
consideration in the State Senate meets with opposition there, yet its
friends are determined that it shall not fall through any omission on
their own part. It is not our purpose now to discuss the merits of the
subject, but merely to state same interesting facts in connection
therewith. |
| At the request of Mr. Christian, of
Augusta, the following condensed and approximate estimate of the cost,
and the earliest point of time at which the uncompleted work on the
Covington & Ohio Railroad can be made available for transportation
purpose as far westward as the White Sulphur Springs, has been
furnished by Mr. W. A. Kuper, Civil Engineer: |
| From Covington to "Jerry's Run Fill,"
14 1/6 miles--for grading, masonry, bridges, superstructure,
and track, (exclusive of the iron,) |
$250,000 |
| From "Jerry's Run Fill" to White
Sulphur Springs, 84 miles {this number
must be in error -- White Sulphur Springs is only 7 miles from
Jerry's Run}--for grading, masonry, and track,
(exclusive of iron,) |
$250,000 |
|
$500,000 |
| Add for contingencies |
$20,000 |
|
$520,000 |
|
| This estimate is predicated upon the
assumption that the work is completed in a temporary manner, but yet
sufficiently permanent to admit of its being used for a time with
nearly as much economy and expedition as if permanently so. No change
is propose in the present centre line, nor in the grades, unless the
difficulties of executing certain "cuts," in a reasonable
time, should render it absolutely necessary. {The
above is also predicated on the Virginia Central RR completing the
last 11 miles from Jackson to Covington. The road was completely ready
for its iron, but the iron was used to maintain the eastern part of
the Virginia Central RR during 1861 and 1862.} |
| The estimate does not include the cost
"iron rails," but it is suggested that the Confederate
Government might be willing to transfer the iron taken from the
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad--the cost of transporting would be
$28,000. The cost of chairs and spikes is estimated at $10,000; depots
&c., $5,000--making an aggregate of $563,000. |
| With regard to the earliest point of time
at which the work can be made available, it believed that with a
sufficient force of men and horses, equipment of tools, &c., it
could be completed to "Jerry's Run" in six months, and to
the White Sulphur Springs in nine months. This is calculating from the
time the forces are organized and ready to go to work. Mr. Kuper
thinks that a body of 500 Irish laborers could be collected from the
immediate vicinity of the work; that this might be increased by the
convict force, heretofore employed, to 670; and that this, with others
from abroad, seeking employment, would supply the necessary force. |
| In was stated yesterday, in the course of
the debate upon the subject, that a great number of furnaces are now
in operation in Alleghany county, and furnishing an immense quantity
of iron. By the construction of suitable forges, the iron for the
proposed railway can be manufactured
directly upon the line of the work. |
|