| From the Memphis Appeal |
| |
| February 7, 1863 |
| |
| Extension of the Clinton {&
Port Hudson} Railroad |
| With every day the army
remains here the necessity of direct and rapid communication with the
Jackson railroad becomes more apparent. The great importance of this
point, in a military view, and its isolated condition, make its
connection, by means of a railroad to Tangipahoa, a great military
necessity, which commends itself to the serious attention of the
Confederate Congress. The transportation over the present route, of
troops, provisions, etc., is now attended by great inconvenience,
delay and uncertainty. The evil is one which can be easily remedied
and should be forthwith corrected. |
| The distance between Clinton
and Tangipahoa is about thirty miles, and in rainy seasons the roads
are almost impossible for vehicles. Nothing would be easier than to
connect the two places by a railroad, and thus establish direct and
uninterrupted intercourse between Port Hudson and Jackson, Miss., and
thence to all parts of the Confederacy. The work of grading and laying
the track could be accomplished in a short time, by employing on the
road a great number of negroes which could be pressed by the
government for that purpose. There can be no scarcity of iron, or if
there should be, we believe a sufficient quantity of it could be
obtained from Alexandria {belonging to the
Southern Pacific RR}, where there is a large boat load of it
sequestered for some cause or other, and lying on the bank doing
nothing. No better use of it could be made than to apply it to the
extension of the Clinton & Port Hudson railroad, which will
greatly facilitate army movements to and from this place. |
| The Confederate Congress being
now in session, this matter might be brought up for consideration, and
we hope our representatives will give the subject their earliest
attention. Let the road be commenced immediately and pushed on
vigorously to completion. |
| Port Hudson News |
|