NP, CM 1/17/1865

From the Charleston Mercury
 
January 17, 1865
 
The Flood -- Great Damage to the Railroads
   The freshet of the past week seems to have extended its violence over a very wide scope of territory. We hear of heavy losses in Edgefield and Barnwell Districts. But the greatest injury, and that which will be felt most severely by the whole country has been sustained by the different railroad lines.
   Between this city and Columbia the long trestle work on the South Carolina Railroad at Kingsville, has been washed away.
   At Columbia there was a great "upheaval of the waters," and the Congaree River was higher than it has been since 1852, causing great destruction to mills, plantations, etc.
   At Chester, on the Columbia and Charlotte Railroad {Charlotte & South Carolina RR}, heavy losses were sustained and the track greatly damaged.
   On the North Carolina Railroad, between Charlotte and Greensboro, two bridges are gone.
   The Piedmont Railroad from Greensboro to Danville, Va., suffered extensively, and we hear of the destruction of two bridges and an extensive trestle work.
   These are all serious losses, and will occasion delay in the transportation of supplies, as well as the derangement of travel. By proper exertions on the part of the railroad authorities, however, the damage can be repaired within three weeks. time.

Home