| Annual Report of the Roanoke Valley RR |
| as of October 1, 1861, |
| Chief Engineer's Report |
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| Chief Engineer's Report |
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Gentlemen,
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I regret to have to report the languishing condition of
the extension of your road to Keysville during the past fiscal year.
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| To amount of work done on the extension to the 1st
October 1860, was |
86,874.94 |
| To 1st October 1861 |
131,020.57 |
| Work during the fiscal year |
$44,145.63 |
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The grading of the first ten miles has been finished; the
masonry for the Roanoke bridge completed; the embankment across the
Roanoke valley nearly finished; some excavation done on the 11th
section; the clearing of the whole line nearly finished; a large
number of sills delivered; and the depot house at Fort Mitchell, the
first station from Keysville, and that at the Five Forks, completed.
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Though surrounded by many difficulties, you had the
strongest assurances that the extension could have been pushed quite
rapidly to completion by the sale of your bonds, if it had not been
for the result of the last presidential election. The unholy and
unjustifiable war which has been waged against our country, has
paralyzed every unfinished improvement. You at least have the
satisfaction of knowing that yours was among the last to yield; for
though struggling with the many difficulties which surrounded it, the
work was not suspended until the enemy had invaded our state. It is
right that I should state that the claims of your extension were
brought to the notice of the last legislature, and also to that of the
convention; and whilst the member from Mecklenburg in each body was
willing and anxious to do all in his power, it soon became manifest
that it was utterly useless to press the question upon either body at
that time; and believing that its prospects for help at any future
time would be injured by urging it then, rather thought it advisable
to take a vote upon the proposition. I had the opinion of General R.
E. Lee, that the work was important in a military point of view, and
that circumstances might arise which might make it absolutely
necessary; and I very respectfully called the attention of President
Davis to its importance. I presume that other subjects of much greater
importance occupied his mind and time, and he could not give it his
attention.
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My opinion in regard to the importance of the work
remains unchanged, and has been greatly strengthened since seeing the
advantages which the state and the whole confederacy would have
derived by having an additional line of rail road communication
between Virginia and the cotton states; and I still hope its merits
will yet command the help which should have been extended to it
sooner, and that you may yet witness its triumphant completion.
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All of which is most respectfully submitted.
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B. W. Jones, C. E.
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Pres. & Dirs. R. V. R. R. Co.
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