| From the Wilmington Journal |
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| November 26, 1861 |
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| Danville Connection |
| Messrs. Editors |
| I see you take no notice of
the revival of the old "Danville Connection" controversy by
the President in his late message. This is a most unfortunate
recommendation at this time and by this officer. It shows a strong
Richmond influence, taking advantage of the apparent necessities of
the country to gain and retain a portion of the trade of North
Carolina. It is to cut in two the great system of North Carolina
Internal Improvements to benefit Virginia; for there is no merit in it
as a military road at this time, until other roads are built. The
President misunderstood the facts -- he gains no additional through
line. -- All the business has to be done on one line from Augusta to
Kingsville now, and it will be so then. The transportation could all
be done by the short, level & straight Sea Board route, of the
Cape Fear River was bridged, as it may be in two months if set about
in earnest. But it may be said that the enemy may take possession of
this line at some point. There is very little danger of that, and if
he did there is the same line the President speaks of open from
Weldon, via Raleigh, "Greensboro'" and Charlotte. |
| But is there not more danger
of this common line being broken by the enemy between Branchville and
Augusta? I do not think there is much danger of either; but if the
Government really wants to facilitate the transportation of troops and
supplies, let it advance to the Rail Road Companies here on the Sea
Board $100,000 to be paid back in transportation, and they can Bridge
the Cape Fear and be able with additional Rolling Stock, now
accumulating, to carry 5000 troops a day with their baggage and all
other freights that may offer. |
| By this line there would be
but one change of cars from Montgomery, &c, or Nashville to
Richmond -- that change is at Wilmington, where the guage changes. {The
guage also changes at West Point or Columbus, Ga.} |
| By the "Danville
route" {the Piedmont RR} there would be a change of cars at Charlotte, and again at
Danville from necessity, as the guage of the South Carolina and other
roads South is five feet -- the Danville road the same; whereas the
North Carolina guage is, by law, four feet eight and a half inches. |
| The recommendation of the
President should have extended to bridging the Cape Fear, in
conjunction with the "Danville Connection," or else it
should not have been made. |
| It (the "Danville
Connection") will benefit Richmond and its Danville road, and
will also benefit the Charlotte & South Carolina R. Road; while it
will materially injure the great North Carolina Central road {the
North Carolina RR}, the
Wilmington & Weldon and Wilmington & Manchester Rail Roads,
and the Raleigh & Gaston Rail Road. While it does this it gives
us no new military line. It would shorten one a little, but have we
more material (Rails especially) than is now wanted to maintain the
present lines? Can we judiciously use any iron for new roads at this
time? |
| I say again, it will benefit
Richmond at the expense of Wilmington. Has Wilmington done anything to
deserve this at the hands of the President of the Confederate States? |
| President Davis had
to deal with much such obtuseness. |
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