| From the Augusta Constitutionalist |
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| December 24, 1864 |
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| A Subject of Vital Interest |
| In connection with the fact
that the city of Savannah is now in the hands of a Federal army
capable of making at once an offensive movement upon our inner
lines of communication, a subject presents itself of more interest and
of greater importance to the people and the Government, in a military
point of view, than any which can claim immediate attention. We mean
the security of communication by Railroad, between the army of
Virginia and the army of Tennessee. Every energy of the several
Railroad corporations, in connection with the Government, should be
directed to this end -- not alone for the success and security of
their own lines of communication, but to render assistance for the
prompt repairing of other and neighboring lines. It is the habit we
know to inveigh against all corporations and especially Railroads, as
in some measure inimical and antagonistic to the best interest of the
Confederacy and as bodies who were most ungraciously disturbed by the
secession of these States; but we are not of those who would discredit
the patriots of our Railroad Managers. The country owes them a vast
debt of gratitude for their patience and suffering and their timely
aid in many dark hours. We will have now to add immensely to that
debt. |
| Public policy and the vital
interests of the country require, demand Railroad communication
through from Augusta to Macon at the earliest practical moment, as
well as similar communication from Augusta to Columbia, S. C. by a
more direct route. How can the first be accomplished? First, either
by repairing the road from Millen to Gordon {Central
(of Georgia) RR}; Second, by repairing the road from
Augusta to Atlanta {Georgia RR}, or third,
by laying the iron on the road now graded with all the tressel and
other appliances ready from Mayfield, in Warren county, to
Milledgeville {Milledgeville RR}.
These are the three lines before us by which we are to keep up
communication Westward. Which will be speediest opened? If the third
should be done in less or equal time it would be decidedly the best on
two or three grounds; for it is about forty-five miles nearer than the
route by Millen and about one hundred and fifty nearer than by
Atlanta. From Mayfield to Milledgeville is only thirty-six miles, and
we are informed that the route is all graded, in fine condition and
that all tressels of consequence are now ready for iron. The important
question therefore for Railroad men and the Government is, can the two
first be completed in less than three months, or before the first of
April? We fear not. Then can the Mayfield and Milledgeville route be
completed in that time? |
| We know that the first
question which will meet us from these eminently practical men is,
where do you propose to get the iron to do this work? We answer first,
from the Central {(of Georgia)} Road
down from Millen, second, from the road from Milledgeville to
Eatonton {Central (of Georgia) RR}, third,
from the Washington branch of the Georgia R. R., and fourth, from
the large amount of Government iron now lying at Nassau, which might
be imported in sufficient quantities in time. We advocate especially
neither of these particular routs but throw out only these
suggestions. That all the energy of both the Railroad Managers and the
Government should be directed to one, and the completion of
that at the earliest moment, we know is of the utmost importance. And
we ask, will those in charge of the Central, the Georgia, the Augusta
& Milledgeville Roads, state which route could be soonest opened,
if the Government lends its utmost aid to the enterprize? We trust
these gentlemen will answer. It is a military necessity of paramount
interest for the Government to apply its whole energy to one of these
lines as the present situation of affairs admits of nothing but
action, prompt and determines. |
| Since the fall of Savannah
however we incline to the belief that the Central Road this side of
the Oconee, or rather from Millen to the Oconee, will be of no
practical use either to the Government or the people and a just public
policy would dictate at once the removal of all iron from that part of
the Road to Augusta. The road from this city to Millen is but slightly
injured and could be in running order in a short time. It should be
opened to that point at once and the iron below and west brought up to
this city. And the two other routes to Macon thus made secure. |
| The safety of our line East
from this city is another question of serious importance. The first
movement of Sherman, as a military man of judgment, will be to cut the
lines of the Railroad leading hence to Charleston and Columbia; and
unfortunately for us, at this juncture, they lead us in his direction.
Branchville and above will only be safe so long as an army confronts
him -- they will hardly then be safe from his raiders. What then are
we to do? Complete the Hamburg and Columbia
{Columbia & Augusta} road at once. Where will the iron come from for
this? From Charleston to Savannah is one hundred and ten miles,
traversed now by a fine road {Charleston &
Savannah RR}; but since the occupation of Savannah by Sherman
it becomes, as a line of communication for the Government, wholly
useless. Beauregard with the army is about Hardeeville near its
western terminus and commands the whole road. We say, therefore, that
it is the duty of the Government at once to tear up this track and
transfer it to the road ready to receive it, and arising to be the
connecting link between Richmond and the West. From Hamburg to
Columbia is only eighty miles. Without taking up therefore all the
iron of the Charleston and Savannah Road, we have the iron for another
and most valuable purposes. The road also from Charleston to
Manchester, S. C. {South Carolina RR} is
of no consequence and the iron should be secured. |
| What is needed is prompt and
vigorous action on all hands. Sherman, we have learned to our sorrow,
is now moving again, and he occupies a situation for a winter campaign
and intends to make it. The delinquent Railroad Companies should
devote their combined energies to removing the iron on these roads at
once, and if they will not do so the Government should do it. If
military necessity ever demanded anything, it demands this. |
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