| From the Richmond Whig |
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| July 19, 1864 |
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| The Southern Express Company's Telegraph |
| The Charlotte Bulletin speaks thus of the
great use of the telegraph lines built by the Southern Express
Company, and of the energy and enterprise displayed by them in
projecting and completing new routes during the war: |
| Among the many facilities and advantages
which have been afforded our Government and people by the Southern
Express Company, there is none deserving more consideration than their
telegraph department, which has been extended since the fall of 1860
over 500 miles, through the influence and indomitable energy of R. B.
Bullock, Esq., Superintendent of that company. Commencing in the summer of 1860, at
Columbia, S. C., the line was completed to Charlotte, N. C. in November of the
same year. |
| The wire between Columbia and this place
is of the best quality of galvanized wire, and has probably worked,
and is continuing to work, better than any line in this or any other
country. In the summer of 1862 seeing the absolute necessity of a telegraph
over the North Carolina Railroad, Col. Bullock projected and carried
forward, with unprecedented success, the line which now connects us
with Raleigh and Goldsboro', which, from this point to Greensboro', is
of the finest English galvanized wire, and the balance good iron wire
procured in this country. |
| Since this has been erected, the
progressive spirit of the managers have brought Danville, Va., and
Fayetteville, N. C., in connection with the main line, and they are
now pushing forward their line rapidly to Weldon, N. C., via the
Raleigh & Gaston Railroad — having already reached Ridgeway.
All of their offices are supplied with instruments and material
manufactured at the South, and for neatness, cleanliness and beauty of
arrangement, are unequalled by any telegraph offices we have ever
visited. |
| The Confederate States
Government, on several occasions during this war, would have been
without telegraph communications between Richmond
and the South, but for the wisdom, energy and liberality of this
company. |
| The
recent raids in the vicinity of Petersburg made it necessary to use
this line as the only medium of communication, for nearly two weeks
between headquarters at Richmond and the subordinate departments in
the South. |
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